It rises above dry-stone boundary walls… a plant that crosses the ages like a whisper through the leaves. It hides in stories passed down around the fire, in ancient temples, in traditional dishes, and everyday gestures. It is bay laurel, Laurus nobilis, an evergreen tree (or shrub) that unites the useful with the symbolic, the tangible with the legendary.
Native to the eastern coasts of the Mediterranean, laurel has followed the paths of sun and salt, taking root in the most diverse landscapes: from the gardens of Syria to Greek terraces, from Roman villas to Puglian courtyards. It traveled with merchants and poets, explorers and farmers, carrying with it its unmistakable scent—dry, enveloping, and capable of evoking, in a single breath, stories from another time. It thrives in well-drained soils, sunny exposures, and temperate climates. Yet what truly strikes is its resilience: it withstands drought and adapts to mild winters, with an upright, statuesque bearing.

Structure and Secrets: The Science of Laurel
Laurel is a small tree—or sometimes a shrub—with a neat form and dense, glossy foliage. Its trunk is straight, its branches flexible, and its leaves smooth, oval, and lightly veined, shining like plant-made parchment. In spring, small cream-yellow flowers appear among the leaves—discreet but precious for bees and other pollinators. Then, in autumn, come the drupes: black, shiny fruits resembling oyster pearls, reminiscent of olives, and harboring an aromatic essence.
A member of the Lauraceae family, laurel is related to cinnamon and sassafras. Like them, it harbors essential oils with surprising properties. Its chemical profile includes cineole, eugenol, and linalool—molecules that give it anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and antiseptic powers. The essential oil extracted through distillation of its leaves and berries is a concentrate of benefits: in aromatherapy, it stimulates the mind and strengthens breathing; in herbal medicine, it features in balms for rheumatic pain and natural digestive remedies. Even traditional liqueur-making has made use of it: from its berries comes a rich spirit, warming the senses with delicate resinous notes.

Between Myth and Memory: Symbols and Stories of Laurel
Since the dawn of time, laurel has spoken to the human soul. In ancient Greece, it was sacred to Apollo, god of light and poetry. Legend tells of the nymph Daphne, pursued by the god, who begged the earth to save her—transforming into a laurel tree, silent but immortal. For this reason, crowns woven from its branches became symbols of wisdom and inspiration, adorning the heads of oracles, musicians, and athletes.
In Rome, laurel was consecrated to triumph. Victorious generals, emperors, and philosophers were crowned with it. Its name—laurus—became synonymous with glory. Even today, graduates are crowned with laurel, in a rite that echoes through modern academic halls as a relic of the past.
But laurel has never stopped living in the folds of daily life. It is said to protect the home from negative influences, to purify spaces when burned at the start of the year. Some advise burning it each evening with rosemary for its benefits and to ward off mosquitoes. It is hung in pantries, woven into festive garlands, and planted by doorways like a green sentinel—a guardian of invisible balance.

Usefulness and Rituals: The Present Life of Laurel
Laurel is useful in cooking, in folk remedies, and in seasonal rituals. Its leaves flavor stews, legumes, sauces, and marinades, releasing deep aromas that lend complexity and familiarity to every dish. The berries, fresh or dried, were once pounded into ointments and massage oils, while its woven branches served as honors and its leaves as amulets or purifying tools.
Today, its presence is still alive and modest. It appears in Mediterranean gardens, in sensory paths, and urban landscapes, with a resilient beauty—even in the face of climate change. It is chosen for its aesthetic value, its functionality, and those aromatic notes that evoke convivial moments.
Laurel is not just a plant. It is a bridge between eras, still growing beside us. It invites us to stillness and clarity, to celebration and care. It reminds us that sometimes, all it takes is rubbing a leaf between our fingers to rekindle the link between who we were and who we might yet become.