Evergreen shrub, Laurus nobilis L., Lauraceae, bearing pale yellow flowers, shiny black berries and glossy aromatic foliage. Known since ancient times as a medicinal plant and spice; often used as a symbol of victory or achievement. Habit. Mediterrean region. Constit. Leaves: volatile oil (1-3%), costunolide, laurenobiolide, catechins, proanthocyanidins, alkaloids, plant acids. Fruit: fatty oil (25-55% ), sesquiterpine lactones, volatile oil (1-4%). Comprehensive description: S. Kumar et al. in Handbook of Herbs and Spices, Vol. 1, K. V. Peter, Ed., (Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, 2001) pp 52-61. Composition of essential oil: M. Ozcan, J.-C. Chalchat, J. Med. Food, 8, 408 (2005). Reviews of composition and uses: A. Y. Leung, S. Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, (Wiley-Interscience, Hoboken, 2nd Ed., 2003) pp 69-72; J. Gruenwald et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 3rd Ed., 2004) p 500.
Fixed oil from fresh fruit. Constit. Chiefly lauric, palmitic, oleic acids, volatile oil, sesquiterpene lactones.
Obtained by steam distillation from leaves of Laurus nobilis L., Lauraceae. Constit. Eucalyptol (30-60%), α- and β-pinene, α-terpineol, sabinene, linalool.
Rubefacient; in treatment of rheumatism and gout; carminative.