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Herbs and plants

Bay leaf—just for soup, or also a remedy for joints and digestion?

Sources: 6 · Article: 10 177 characters

Henryk Różański says that laurel fruits are taken by mouth for digestion, fungi in the digestive tract, and to improve well-being.

  • A tincture made from the fruits is also used for insect bites, some skin problems, and bad breath.
  • Laurel leaves are used as a spice, and extracts made from them are said to stimulate circulation and support digestion, among other effects.
  • The extracts are also used on the skin and hair, while the oil and alcohol extract are said to increase blood flow to the sexual organs.

What the authors write

Henryk Różański

An oral paste is made from the fruits, which Henryk Różański describes as a remedy for autoimmune and cancerous diseases and fungal infections of the digestive system.

„Laurel fruit paste, taken orally, for treating autoimmune and cancerous diseases – Puls Lauri: Grind fresh laurel fruits with 70% alcohol into a smooth paste, then gradually add black cumin oil – Oleum Nigellae (for medicinal purposes, choose one that tastes pungent and has the characteristic smell of thymoquinone!), stirring continuously. Use 1 part fruit, 2 parts alcohol, and 3 parts black cumin oil. Take 1 tablespoon of the resulting emulsion 3 times a day. The remedy is also effective against fungal infections of the digestive system.”Zacierka wawrzynowa doustna do leczenia chorób autoimmunologicznych i nowotworowych – Puls Lauri: świeże owoce wawrzynu rozcierać ze spirytusem 70% na jednolitą papkę, następnie dodawać olej czarnuszkowy – Oleum Nigellae (do celów leczniczych wybierać ten ostry w smaku i ze specyficznym zapachem tymochinonu!) małymi porcjami, ciągle ucierając. 1 część owoców na 2 części spirytusu i 3 części oleju czarnuszkowego. Uzyskaną emulsję zażywać 3 razy dziennie po 1 łyżce. Lek skuteczny również w zwalczaniu grzybic układu pokarmowego.
Fructus Lauri – owoc wawrzynu w praktycznej fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

The fruit tincture is said to stimulate digestion and improve well-being, and to have a stimulating and antidepressant effect at a higher dose.

„At a dose of 5–10 ml, it has a stimulating and antidepressant effect. It stimulates digestion and improves well-being. Use it to wash areas bitten by insects and arachnids. It has a beneficial effect on inflamed skin and rashes. It can be tried for treating atopic dermatitis, as it often gives good results.”W dawce 5-10 ml działa pobudzająco i antydepresyjnie. Pobudza trawienie i poprawia samopoczucie. Do przemywania miejsc ugryzionych przez owady i pajęczaki. Korzystnie działa na skórę zapalnie zmienioną i z wypryskami. Można spróbować do leczenia atopowego zapalenia skóry, bo często daje dobre wyniki.
Fructus Lauri – owoc wawrzynu w praktycznej fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

The fruit tincture is used to wash bites and to treat inflamed skin, rashes, dandruff, ichthyosis, and psoriasis.

„Use it to wash areas bitten by insects and arachnids. It has a beneficial effect on inflamed skin and rashes. It can be tried for treating atopic dermatitis, as it often gives good results. Rubbing it into the hair gets rid of dandruff. It inhibits excessive cell division in the epidermis associated with ichthyosis and psoriasis.”Do przemywania miejsc ugryzionych przez owady i pajęczaki. Korzystnie działa na skórę zapalnie zmienioną i z wypryskami. Można spróbować do leczenia atopowego zapalenia skóry, bo często daje dobre wyniki. Wcierana we włosy likwiduje łupież. Hamuje nadmierne podziały naskórka w przebiegu rybiej łuski i łuszczycy.
Fructus Lauri – owoc wawrzynu w praktycznej fitoterapii
Henryk Różański

Laurel leaves are used as a seasoning in food.

„We all know bay leaves and use them to season food. They are available in shops, but unfortunately they are often stale. However, when visiting southern Europe, it is worth getting some good-quality bay leaves. The medicinal raw material is the laurel leaf – Folium Lauri, which contains 1–3% essential oil, flavonoids, lignans, sesquiterpene lactones, isoquinoline alkaloids—reticuline and boldine—and also myricyl alcohol.”Liście laurowe wszyscy znamy, używamy do potraw jako przyprawę. W sklepach są dostępne, najczęściej niestety zwietrzałe. Gdy jednak przebywamy na południu Europy, warto zaopatrzyć się w wartościowe listki laurowe. Surowcem jest liść wawrzynu – Folium Lauri, zawierający 1-3% olejku eterycznego, flawonoidy, lignany, laktony seskwiterpenowe, alkaloidy izochinolinowe: retikulina, boldyna; wreszcie alkohol mirycylowy.
Wawrzyn – Laurus
Henryk Różański

Water and alcohol extracts from the leaves are said to stimulate circulation, support heart function and protect the liver, as well as improve digestion.

„Water and alcohol extracts from bay leaves stimulate blood circulation, strengthen contractions of the heart muscle, and improve circulation in the limbs and brain. They protect the liver tissue, promote bile production and flow, have an antispasmodic effect, and stimulate the central nervous system. Laurel increases urination and sweating, helping the body remove harmful and unnecessary metabolites. Laurel improves digestion and the absorption of nutrients.”Wodne i alkoholowe wyciągi z liści laurowych pobudzają krążenie krwi, wzmagają skurcze mięśnia sercowego, usprawniają krążenie w kończynach i mózgowiu. Działają ochronnie na miąższ wątroby, żółciopędnie, żółciotwórczo, rozkurczowo i stymulująco na centralny układ nerwowy. Wawrzyn wzmaga diurezę i wydzielanie potu, a wraz z nimi usuwanie szkodliwych i zbędnych metabolitów. Wawrzyn poprawia trawienie i przyswajanie składników pokarmowych.
Wawrzyn – Laurus
Henryk Różański

Leaf extracts are said to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. When applied to the skin, they are said to dry and disinfect it; when rubbed into the hair, they are said to prevent hair loss and loss of shine.

„Laurel extracts inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Applied to the skin, they improve its color (making it pinker), dry it, and disinfect it. Rubbed into the hair, they prevent hair loss and loss of shine. An infusion can be made from the leaves (2 tablespoons to a glass of boiling water; cover, leave for 30–40 minutes, then strain). Drink 100–150 ml 3–4 times a day.”Wyciągi z wawrzynu hamują rozwój bakterii i grzybów. Zastosowane na skórę poprawiają jej koloryt (zaróżowienie), osuszają i odkażają. Wcierane we włosy zapobiegają ich wypadaniu i utracie połysku. Z liści sporządza się napar (2 łyżki na szklankę wrzącej wody, przykryć, odstawic na 30-40 minut, przecedzić) – pić 3-4 razy dziennie po 100-150 ml.
Wawrzyn – Laurus
Henryk Różański

Laurel leaf oil and alcohol extract are said to increase blood flow to the sexual organs and sensitivity to sexual stimuli.

„Smoke from bay leaves has a mild psychoactive effect. Take laurel oil 2–4 times a day, 4–6 drops at a time. It tones and stimulates the mind. Laurel leaf oil and alcohol extract increase blood flow to the sexual organs. They increase the sensitivity of erogenous zones to sexual stimuli.”Dym z liści laurowych działa słabo psychoaktywnie. Olejek laurowy zażywać 2-4 razy dziennie po 4-6 kropli. Tonizuje i pobudza psychicznie. Olejek i wyciąg alkoholowy z liści zwiększają ukrwienie narządów płciowych. Zwiększają wrażliwość sfer erogennych na bodźce seksualne.
Wawrzyn – Laurus

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 6.

Laurel extract inhibited urease, an enzyme linked to the survival of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the stomach.

Aim of the study: Infection with Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of stomach and duodenal ulcers. More than 80% of people are infected with H.

Results: pylori. The inhibitory activity of 20 traditional medicinal plants was examined and evaluated against jack bean urease activity using the Berthelot reaction, in order to identify natural sources of urease inhibitors. Each herb was extracted using 80% aqueous methanol, and its IC50 value was determined. Crude extracts of eight of the 20 plants studied were found to be the most effective, with IC50 values below 100 μg/mL. These included extracts of Laurus nobilis, Zingiber officinale, Nigella sativa, Angelica archangelica, Acorus calamus, Allium sativum, Curcuma longa, and Citrus aurantium. The strongest urease inhibition was observed for Zingiber officinale, Laurus nobilis, and Nigella sativa, with IC50 values of 48.54, 48.69, and 59.10 μg/mL, respectively.

Screening of 20 commonly used Iranian traditional medicinal plants against urease. · Iran J Pharm Res 2014
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Laurel leaf extract showed antioxidant activity in laboratory tests and inhibited the enzymes studied.

Aim of the study: Laurus nobilis (LN) has traditional medicinal uses. This study investigates its therapeutic potential by focusing on its phenolic content and bioactivities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticholinergic properties. Phenolic compounds play key roles in reducing oxidative stress and influencing enzyme activity, which is relevant to metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.

Results: Vanillic acid and catechin hydrate were the most abundant phenolic compounds. LN extract showed strong inhibition of lipid peroxidation (50.53%) compared with Trolox (28.33%) and α-tocopherol (37.79%). Moderate free-radical-scavenging and metal-reducing activity was observed. The IC50 values were 2.57 µg/L for AChE, 3.78 µg/L for BChE, and 4.65 µg/L for α-GLY, indicating notable bioactivity. In silico studies confirmed strong binding of phenolic compounds to the target enzymes.

Therapeutic potential of Laurus nobilis extract by experimental and computational approaches: phenolic content and bioactivities for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anticholinergic properties. · Front Chem 2025
Money for the studyuniversity or foundation · Majmaah University
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Laurel extracts showed varying antibacterial effects against the bacteria tested.

Aim of the study: Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a Mediterranean plant with reported antibacterial properties, yet the genetic basis of its antibacterial effectiveness remains largely unexplored.

Results: LightGBM performed well in predicting MIC (R2 = 0.988) but showed limited accuracy for disc diffusion results (R2 = 0.695). This study is the first to combine GWAS and ML to predict antibacterial effectiveness in L. nobilis. It identified specific genetic markers (e.g., 26557159, 26584774) and showed that XGBoost achieves near-perfect MIC prediction (R2 = 0.999). These findings provide a genomic and computational basis for marker-assisted breeding of laurel with enhanced antibacterial properties and support the sustainable use of plant-derived antimicrobials.

Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, Integration of Genome-Wide Association Studies and Machine Learning for Antibacterial Trait Analysis in the Mediterranean Spice Laurel (Laurus nobilis). · Plants (Basel) 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants92

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Laurel essential oil inhibited the release of nitric oxide in a laboratory inflammation model.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to investigate the biological activity of essential oils (EOs) from Artemisia abrotanum, Lavandula dentata, Cymbopogon citratus, and Laurus nobilis in relation to anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive effects.

Results: A. abrotanum had strong anti-inflammatory activity. The EOs of L. dentata and A. abrotanum had moderate potency in inducing cancer chemoprevention.

Anti-inflammatory and cancer chemopreventive potential of essential oils from some cultivated plants in Egypt. · Sci Rep 2026
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Research Centre Egypt, The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF), The Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB)
Do the authors have ties to companies?no — the authors say so
Did a manufacturer help with the study?NO
Type of studyanimal study

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

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