Bay laurel: Apollo's myth, symbols, uses and look-alike plants
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is the tree of Apollo and of victory wreaths. History, household uses and, above all, the two toxic “laurels” not to be confused with it.
Key points
| Botanical name | Laurus nobilis |
|---|---|
| Family | Lauraceae |
| Origin | Mediterranean basin, remnants of ancient laurel forests |
| Part used | Tough leaves, fresh or dried |
| Main compound | Cineole (1,8-cineole), in the essential oil |
| Traditional symbol | Victory, glory, Apollo, poetry |
| Plants not to be confused with it | Oleander (highly toxic), cherry laurel (cyanogenic) |
What is bay laurel?
Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), also called Apollo's laurel or noble laurel, is an evergreen tree of the Lauraceae family that can exceed 10 m. Its leaves are smooth, dark green and very aromatic when crushed; its yellowish flowers, on separate male and female plants, produce small black berries. It is a survivor of the laurel forests that covered much of the Mediterranean basin before the climate cooled: remains can be found in Turkey, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira.
Its leaves are used in cooking (bouquet garni), and the berry oil is used in making Aleppo soap. The essential oil of the leaves is rich in cineole.
Apollo, Daphne and the wreaths
In Ovid's Metamorphoses, the nymph Daphne, pursued by Apollo, turns into a laurel to escape him; the god then makes it his tree and crowns himself with it. From this come the laurel wreaths of victors at the Pythian Games (Delphi), and later of Roman generals during triumphs. By extension we speak of a “laureate” and a “poet laureate”; and the word “baccalauréat” (the French baccalaureate) is often linked to the Latin bacca lauri, the laurel berry, although its etymology is disputed.
At Delphi, the oracle of Apollo, the Pythia used laurel leaves in her rite, according to ancient authors. Historians and geologists still debate what she breathed in or burned (some suggest vapours from fissures in the ground, a contested hypothesis). We use this only as an image of that symbolism: in tradition, the laurel leaf evokes success, clarity and inspiration.
Decorative and symbolic uses
- Dried leaves in sachets or garlands; they keep their colour well.
- Fumigation: a dry leaf, crumbled or whole, burns slowly with a slightly sharp, spicy smoke. Place it on a heat-resistant dish, or on a charcoal disc for incense.
- A modern gesture: writing a word or wish on a leaf and burning it. This is a contemporary ritual with no precise ancient basis; if you do it, use tongs, a deep container, and water or sand within reach, and never do it in a dry or enclosed space.
For fire and air safety, see Fire safety and rituals.
Warning: false laurels
The word “laurel” is used for plants from very different families. Two of them are dangerous:
| Plant | Family | Danger |
|---|---|---|
| Bay laurel, Laurus nobilis | Lauraceae | The subject of this page; safe in cooking, to be handled with the usual precautions for any fumigation |
| Oleander, Nerium oleander | Apocynaceae | Highly toxic: sap, leaves and branches contain cardiac glycosides, even when dried. Never burn or chew it |
| Cherry laurel, Prunus laurocerasus | Rosaceae | Leaves and seeds release cyanide; the almond smell when a leaf is crushed should be a warning |
Oleander and cherry laurel are very common in hedges and gardens. A bay laurel leaf is thick, matt green and very aromatic, with a pronounced midrib; it does not smell of almond. If in doubt, do not burn the leaf. If a person or an animal has chewed a suspicious leaf, call 15 (in France) or 112 (the emergency number throughout the European Union) without delay, or a poison control centre. See also Toxic herbs not to burn.
Choosing, growing, storing
Bay laurel grows well in a pot and tolerates pruning; it dislikes very hard frosts. Pick mature leaves of a deep green and dry them flat or in small bunches, in the shade (see Drying and storing your herbs). Avoid leaves that are very damaged, brown or spotted. Kept in a closed jar, they retain their scent for about a year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between bay laurel and oleander?
Bay laurel is an aromatic kitchen tree. Oleander is a highly toxic shrub with pink flowers. Never confuse them.
Can you burn a bay leaf?
Yes, a dried bay laurel leaf, in a heat-resistant container, in a well-ventilated room, with water or sand within reach.
Why is laurel linked to victory?
Because Apollo made it his tree, and the victors of the Delphic Games, then Roman generals, wore laurel wreaths.
Is cherry laurel dangerous?
Its leaves and seeds contain compounds that release cyanide. It must never be used in place of bay laurel.
What should I do if I have chewed a doubtful leaf?
Rinse your mouth, do not induce vomiting, and call 15 (in France), 112 (the emergency number throughout the European Union) or a poison control centre, stating the plant.
Also read
The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Herbs, waxes and accessories.