Cherry laurel – Laurocerasus officinalis
The cherry laurel is a very popular ornamental and hedging plant in Switzerland because its evergreen leaves grow particularly opaque. It is also an especially long-lived tree that can live for over a hundred years. Its essential oil, with its calming effect, is particularly valuable for medicine.
Its berries help to calm coughs.
Fields of application
The essential oil of cherry laurel has an antispasmodic, soothing effect on the respiratory tract and bronchial tubes, and thus helps with asthma and whooping cough. Cherry laurel also has a calming effect on an overstimulated nervous system, promotes blood circulation, has antiseptic and mild antibacterial properties, and helps heal wounds. When applied externally, laurel oil can be used to alleviate bacterial skin inflammation, muscle pain, pulled muscles and sprains. In phytotherapy, the medicinal plant is used to treat coughs, hoarseness and heart failure.
Botanical characteristics
It is important to know that the fruits of the cherry laurel are poisonous. It should therefore only be used under supervision and after consulting an expert. Originally, the laurel tree was only native to Asia Minor. Today, it also grows wild throughout the Mediterranean region and in Central and South America. In our area, it is usually found artificially planted in gardens and parks. The flowers of the laurel tree are whitish and form bushy pseudo-umbels that bloom in April and May. After pollination, they ripen into egg-shaped black berries. The valuable bay oil is obtained from the fully ripe fruits by applying heat or melting with water.