Medicinal Plant Virtual Tour - BAY LAUREL

Laurus nobilis        |        Lauraceae       |       bay laurel

Medicinal Properties:

The leaves and extracts are used to suppress high blood sugar, fungal and bacterial infections. It has also been used to treat eructation, flatulence and gastrointestinal problems. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsive, antiepileptic and antioxidant properties. Infusions of dry bay leaves are used in folk medicine for their stomachic and carminative remedies as well as to treat gastric diseases. The essential oil is an analgesic and anti-inflammatory. Compounds with activity against MRSA have been purified from bay laurel. In high doses bay laurel has cytotoxic activity (causes damage to cells). Research has shown extracts have the ability to inhibit nitric oxide radicals which is significant for the treatment of inflammation, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and atherosclerosis.

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Additional Resources to Explore:

• Link to the Campus Arboretum Species Description page
• Link to the Campus Arboretum Medicinal Plants page (for booklet, self-guided campus tours, or docent led tour information)