Pharmacognosy´s topics - Medicinal plants
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Laurel health benefits
Health benefits of Bay Laurel
The laurel produces antiseptic, expectorant, carminative and antispasmodic effects.
The sesquiterpene lactones (bitter principle) have also an appetite stimulant action, digestive and cholagogue.
Is externally used as rubefacient and allergen due to its essential oil content, which is also antimicrobial and insect repellent (pediculuside).
The medicinal properties of the laurel are highly valued by elder people who use it to relieve joint arthritis pain, for rheumatism and muscle aches of old people.
It´s prescribed in:
Anorexia, hyposecretion dyspepsia, gastrointestinal spasms, bloating, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma.
Topically: stomatitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis. The oil obtained from the fruits ("laurel butter") is used in inflammatory osteoarthritis and pediculosis.
Uses of bay laurel
Warnings use. Contraindications.
Do not administer or topically applied to children under six years old neither people with respiratory allergies or with known hypersensitivity to this or other essential oils.
Preparation and Dosage
Internal use:
- Use as a condiment.
- Infusion: 3 or 4 leaves per cup. Infuse 10 minutes. Two or three cups a day, before or after meals.
- Tincture (1:10): 30 drops three times daily.
- Essential oil: 2-4 drops, twice a day.
Topical use:
- Decoction: 5 leaves per cup, boil for 3 minutes. Use it in mouthwashes, gargles, or forehead pad (sinusitis).
- Oil, Fioravanti alcoholature: as topical antirheumatic or parasiticide.
references
- Novak M. (1985) Phytochemistry 24(4):585.
- Roth L. Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte, 4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
- Steinegger ET Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
- Tada H' eTaL (1976) Chem Pharm Bull 24:667.
- Teuscher E. Lindequist U, Biogene Gifte - Biologie, Chemie.
- Pharmakologie. 2. Aufl., Fischer Verlag Stuttgart 1994. Tori K et aL (1976) Tetrahedron Lett 5:387.
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