Sarah EatonBay essential oil, which is extracted from the fresh leaves of the bay tree through steam distillation, is a yellow liquid with a strong, spicy scent. Its scent has been compared to that of clove oil. Bay oil is used in fragrances, but also has several medicinal uses. For example, bay oil can be used to treat pain from nerve damage. Furthermore, bay oil can also help reduce pain as brought on from joint and muscle issues, such as sprains and arthritis. (1) To learn more about the many benefits of bay oil, read below.
Here are 12 health benefits of bay essential oil:
1. Antibiotic
Bay essential oil can strong antibiotic properties. (2) This means it can effectively fight against biotic growth in body, such as microbes, bacteria, or fungi. (3) And unlike other medicines on the market, bay oil, in safe doses, has no adverse side effects.
2. Antiseptic
Wounds, especially those incurred by rusty metal objects, should never be ignored, even if they appear to be mild. Tetanus may develop from such a wound, or it may become infected. However, the antiseptic property of bay essential oil can help protect wounds from infections. Furthermore, it inhibits bacterial growth. (4)
3. Anti-Neuralgic
Tregeminal neuralgia can be extremely painful. It involves compression of a cranial nerves, which results in sometimes severe oral pain when eating, laughing, or shouting. Bay essential oil, however, can help relieve the pain from neuralgia. Furthermore, as it can be used as an astringent, bay oil induces contraction in the blood vessels, thereby relieving pressure on the cranial nerve. (5, 6)
4. Anti-Spasmodic
Spams can cause an assortment of undesirable symptoms, including cramps, coughs, aches, diarrhea, nervous afflictions, and convulsions. In some cases, a spasm can even be fatal. However, you can use bay oil to relax contractions from a spasm and avoid the resulting distressing symptoms. (7)
5. Boosts Appetite
While food may not sound good for whatever reason, not eating can deplete your body of the nutrients it needs to function properly. While you should speak to your doctor about a prolonged loss of appetite, you might also consider natural remedies. For example, essential bay oil may help increase your appetite. (8)
6. Astringent
As an astringent, bay essential oil can strengthen the girp of gums on teeth, pull up sagging skin and muscles, fortify the hold of the scalp on hair roots, and helps stop hemorrhaging. (9)
7. Promotes Discharge of Bile
Bay oil also helps discharge bile into the stomach. This can be helpful in preventing ulcers, as bile is used to neutralize excess acids discharged into the stomach. (10)
8. Regulates Menstruation
Essential bay oil can also help regulate menstruation. Furthermore, it eases the pain and other undesirable symptoms associated with periods. (11)
9. Kills Insects
Bay oil is an effective insecticide, and can even be used to ward off cockroaches. Furthermore, used correctly, it’s potentially less hazardous than many of the chemical insecticides on the market today. (12)
10. Sedative
Bay essential oil works as a sedative. It can provide relief for epilepsy, hysteria, convulsions, anxiety, stress, depression, rage, and other nervous afflictions and disturbances. (13)
11. Helps Keeps Stomach Healthy
Good gut health is imperative in keeping your body functioning well. Bay essential oil can help maintain a healthy gut, keeping it safe from infections, ulcers, and an acidic environment. (14)
12. Sudorific
Bay oil promotes perspiration, and as such, helps remove toxins, excess salt, water, and fat. This is also helpful for colds and flu, as sweating helps reduce fever. (15)
While bay oil can be beneficial in many ways, there are certain precautions to consider: (16)
- Do not use it internally.
- Do not use on damaged and sensitive skin.
- If you have liver and kidney problems, cancer or are using anticoagulants you should not use it.
- Bay oil has high content of eugenol. This means it could cause irritation to the mucus membrane and skin.
- The pregnant women should avoid it.
- Be sure to test a small area first.
- Avoid using bay essential oil on sensitive areas such as eyes, ears, nose etc.