Herbal

Bay Leaf

Note Profile

Botanical 256 perfumes

Also Known As

Laurel, Laurel Leaves

About

Aromatic, herbal leaf with warm, slightly mentholated spice

Scent Profile

Bay leaf in perfumery presents a warm, aromatic scent with spicy and herbal facets, complemented by subtle notes of clove, eucalyptus, and a faint camphoraceous quality. Its aroma evolves from a fresh, slightly mentholated opening to a drier, woody-spice character as it settles. The scent is complex, balancing green sharpness with a gentle warmth.

ScentWheel

Breadthfocused

EnvelopeHeart · ~4h lasting

Family Green & Aromatic, Fresh & Citrus

Read off the wheel, not a label applied to the note.

What this is made of

Laurel leaf oil

A natural extract

CAS 8007-48-5

Laurus nobilis - bay laurel. The note's own origin text and descriptor both describe Mediterranean bay (eugenol/cineole), not West Indian bay (Pimenta racemosa); the previous edge here (CAS 8006-78-8, "Bay leaf, West Indian, oil") was mismatched to a different species and is now unassigned pending investigation (see OPEN.md).

Declarable allergen: Named in EU Annex III as Laurus Nobilis Leaf Oil products must list this name above a set concentration

These are facts about the substance, not about any perfume with this note.

Why that matters

A perfume that names Bay Leaf can use a different extract, a reformulated version, or a synthetic reconstruction. It can also hold less than the amount that requires a declaration. We cannot tell which applies. These rows cover only the substances we hold a link for.

How the layers join

Origin

Bay leaf used in perfumery is typically sourced from the leaves of Laurus nobilis, native to the Mediterranean region. The essential oil is obtained through steam distillation of the dried leaves, which contain aromatic compounds such as eugenol and cineole. The resulting oil is valued for its aromatic intensity and versatility.

Usage in Perfumery

Perfumers employ bay leaf primarily as a heart note to impart aromatic freshness and a spicy, herbal lift to compositions. It blends well with other spices, woods, and citrus notes, and is often used in fougère, chypre, and masculine woody fragrances. Bay leaf can also add complexity to gourmand and oriental accords.