Bay (Laurus nobilis) is a perennial persistent foliage shrub with dark grey bark of the Laureaceae family. It includes two varieties, golden bay tree (Laurus nobilis aurea) and the narrow leaf bay tree (Laurus nobilis angustifolia).
It is native to southern Europe and the Middle East and can sometimes reach six metres.
Its leaves, like all other parts of the plant, are leathery, lanceolate with undulate edges and rich in essential oil. They grow in all soils in the Mediterranean regions. Sowing and cuttings are performed in the fall.
Main aromatic molecules: Terpene oxides (1,8-cineole or eucalyptol), monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, monoterpenols (α-terpineol, terpinene-4-ol), phenols (methylugenol), esters (terpenyl acetate), lactones (costunolide).
Family: Lauraceae.
Productive organs: Leaves
Yield: 130g of essential oil per 100kg of leaves.
Equivalence: 1ml → 33 drops (dosage calculated for a calibrated dropper European Pharmacopoeia)
