What is bay oil

The bay plant is native to the Mediterranean region from where it is believed to have spread to other parts of the world. Bay held an important place in Ancient Rome and Greece as well, in their religion, culture, and in their medicines.

Bay essential oil is extracted by steam distillation of fresh leaves of the bay tree, whose scientific name is Laurus nobilis.

The main constituents of bay essential oil are alpha-pinene, alpha-terpineol, beta pinene, chavicol, geranyl acetate, eugenol, limonene, linalool, methyl chavicol, myrcene, and neral.

What are bay oil uses?

Act as Antibiotic

This oil is also known for its antibiotic properties. That means that it can inhibit any sort of biotic growth (growth of microbes, bacteria, or fungi) in the body, effectively safeguarding you against those infections.

Provide Relief From Neuralgia Pain

Neuralgia can be very painful and may also leave almost the entire oral zone, including the throat, ears, tonsils, base of the nose, larynx, pharynx, and the surrounding areas suffering from severe pain. It can be caused due to compression of the glossopharyngeal or the ninth cranial nerve by the surrounding blood vessels, which can swell up when excited or stimulated as a result of chewing, eating, laughing, shouting, or any other excitement or movement in that region. [4]

The essential oil of bay has potentially analgesic and astringent properties, which can provide relief from the pain of neuralgia in its own way. Being an analgesic, it reduces the feeling of pain in the affected area. Then, as an astringent, it induces contraction in the blood vessels, thus relieving the pressure on the cranial nerve, giving immediate relief from the pain. [5]

Provide Relief From Spasms

Cramps, coughs, aches, diarrhea, nervous afflictions, and convulsions can be some of the ailments caused by spasm, which is an excessive contraction in the respiratory tracts, muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs. Not only does it cause the ailments discussed above, but sometimes it can also become fatal if it is overly excessive. For example, excessive spasms in the respiratory system can leave someone breathless or literally choke them to death. The essential oil of the bay might give relief from spasms by relaxing the contractions and helping to avoid the related dangers or ailments.

Act As Astringent

We have already read that astringency can be beneficial in treating painful conditions like neuralgia. However, it is not its sole benefit. An astringent’s main function can induce contractions in muscles and tissues. This contraction might help in many ways. It might strengthen the grip of gums on teeth, pulls up the sagging skin and muscles, strengthens the hold of the scalp on hair roots, thereby preventing loss of hair, and finally, it may induce contractions in the blood vessels which can help to stop hemorrhaging.