Essential Oil Database

Photo: Pimenta Racemosa

Bay

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Pimenta Racemosa

Family Name:

Myrtaceae

Source Country:

West Indies

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Cineol, methyl eugenol, terpineol acetate, linalool, pinene

Botanical Description

Photo: Pimenta Racemosa

Pimenta Racemosa is native to Asia, and is found worldwide. It is an evergreen shrub or small tree commonly known as Bay, Bay Rum Tree, Myrcia, and West Indian Bay growing between 8 meters to 15 meters tall. Bay tree leaves are very aromatic 3cm to 15cm long.

Bay Rum Oil has been used commercially for men’s colognes and soaps, and is considered to be a masculine scent.

Photo: Pimenta Racemosa

Fragrance

Bay essential oil has a strong, fresh, pungent and camphor like spicy scent.

Bay essential oil is a pale green to yellow liquid.

Bay blends well with bergamot, clary sage, cypress, lavender, lemon, mandarin, pine, rosemary and sweet orange.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Pimenta Racemosa

Properties: Analgesic, anticonvulsant, anti-neuralgic, anti-rheumatic, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, tonic.

Aids: blood and lymph circulation, immune system, memory.

Alleviates: indigestion and gas, headache, lung congestion, muscle tension, sinus congestion.

Bay Oil is said to be a useful hair tonic and assists dandruff control. Bay Oil has useful insecticidal properties.

Bay Oil is said to have magical properties.

Safety Data

Moderately toxic.

Avoid use if pregnant.

Avoid contact with skin and mucous membrane.

Use moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines to avoid over-stimulation.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.