Laurel (Laurus nobilis) is a plant of the Lauraceae family. Useful in case of stomach disorders and colic, it is used to treat fever and cough. Let's find out better.
The leaves and berries of laurel contain in different percentage an essential oil, (the former contain from 1 to 3% of essential oil, while the latter up to 10%), consisting of geraniol, cineol, eugenol, terpineol, fellandrene, eucalyptol, pinene, with appetitive properties, that is stimulating appetite, digestive and carminative. For this reason laurel is commonly used to relieve colic, stomach disorders; promote digestion; and to help expel gas from the gastro-intestinal apparatus, in the presence of meteorism or aerogapy.
Both the leaves and the berries exert diaphoretic action, useful for stimulating sweating, in case of fever and flu states; and expectorant, indicated to eliminate bronchial catarrh and in case of cough.
In external use, fresh berries are used to prepare laurel oil, with anti-inflammatory, hemostatic and astringent effect, extremely effective for soothing rheumatism, arthritis, muscle pain or to facilitate the recovery of joint use. after castings, against traumas of various kinds, bruises and bruises.
Finally, the lauric acid contained in the leaves has natural repellent properties against insects and parasites.