Last update July 13, 2025

Laurel, Grecian Laurel, Green Bay

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Bush leaves are used. The essential oil contains eugenol and cineol Properties attributed are: digestive, expectorant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory. Oral and topical dermatological use

On topical use, cases of allergic reactions have been reported. Risk of confusion with laurel-cherry which is very toxic.

At latest update no published data were found on excretion into breast milk.

Plant widely used as a culinary spice and herbal teas. Given their lack of toxicity at correct doses, a moderate consumption during lactation would have little or no risk.

When topically used, do not apply on the chest to prevent infant ingestion; If necessary, apply after a meal and clean thoroughly with water before the next one.

On topical use, cases of allergic reactions have been reported (Uzuncakmak 2015, Adişen 2007). Risk of confusion with cherry-laurel which is very toxic. (Malaspina 2022)

Precautions when taking plant preparations (Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995):

  • Make sure they are from a reliable source: Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties (Cornara 2018, Hsu 1995), poisonings due to heavy metals that the plants extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. (Anderson 2017)
  • Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from expert phytotherapy professionals. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. (Powers 2015, Zava 1998)

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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Other names

Laurel, Grecian Laurel, Green Bay in other languages or writings:

Groups

Laurel, Grecian Laurel, Green Bay belongs to these groups or families:

References

  1. Malaspina P, Betuzzi F, Ingegneri M, Smeriglio A, Cornara L, Trombetta D. Risk of Poisoning from Garden Plants: Misidentification between Laurel and Cherry Laurel. Toxins (Basel). 2022 Oct 24;14(11). Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Cornara L, Smeriglio A, Frigerio J, Labra M, Di Gristina E, Denaro M, Mora E, Trombetta D. The problem of misidentification between edible and poisonous wild plants: Reports from the Mediterranean area. Food Chem Toxicol. 2018 Sep;119:112-121. Abstract
  3. Anderson PO. Herbal Use During Breastfeeding. Breastfeed Med. 2017 Abstract
  4. Uzuncakmak TK, Karadag AS, Izol B, Akdeniz N, Cobanoglu B, Taskin S. Erythema multiforme like allergic contact dermatitis associated with laurel oil: a rare presentation. Dermatol Online J. 2015 Abstract
  5. Powers CN, Setzer WN. A molecular docking study of phytochemical estrogen mimics from dietary herbal supplements. In Silico Pharmacol. 2015 Mar 22;3:4. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  6. Posadzki P, Watson L, Ernst E. Contamination and adulteration of herbal medicinal products (HMPs): an overview of systematic reviews. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2013 Abstract
  7. Efferth T, Kaina B. Toxicities by herbal medicines with emphasis to traditional Chinese medicine. Curr Drug Metab. 2011 Abstract
  8. Adişen E, Onder M. Allergic contact dermatitis from Laurus nobilis oil induced by massage. Contact Dermatitis. 2007 Abstract
  9. Kopec K. Herbal medications and breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1999 Jun;15(2):157-61. Review. No abstract available. Abstract
  10. Zava DT, Dollbaum CM, Blen M. Estrogen and progestin bioactivity of foods, herbs, and spices. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1998 Abstract
  11. Hsu CK, Leo P, Shastry D, Meggs W, Weisman R, Hoffman RS. Anticholinergic poisoning associated with herbal tea. Arch Intern Med. 1995 Abstract

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