Bay leaves are a common ingredient in Soups, Stews, Rice dishes, Court-bouillon, Bouquet Garni, Crab boil, Brining meat, pickles.
The essential oil of bay laurel is used in massage therapy to alleviate arthritis and rheumatism.
Laurel oil is the main ingredient and the distinguishing characteristic of Laurel soap.
Its leaves constituted the wreaths of laurel that crowned victorious athletes in ancient Greece.
In Rome, triumphant generals wore laurel crowns during their victory parades.