Laurel – Love the smell, but is it really bad for you?

[John Hancock]

Think your ok in the fresh air,I wouldnt burn the stuff though.

 

I’ve burnt tons of the stuff – goes like a bomb when hot enough!

[geoff]

Oh yes,it will burn alright,very waxy foilage.dont think it would go down well with the authorities if you smoked out a neighbor with it

[Klaymeb]

I once trimmed a long laurel hedge, reaching the tops from the back of the truck, standing on piles of Laurel. By the end of the day i was felling sick with a banging headache. It disappeared in the evening but first thing in the morning after getting back into the back of the truck it came straight back.

Not recommended.

 

I was exactly like that after chipping a load of it one day, felt really sick and thumping headache, not good. Still rather chip that than London Plane though!

[Mesterh]

I was exactly like that after chipping a load of it one day, felt really sick and thumping headache, not good. Still rather chip that than London Plane though!

 

You aint wrong there, tis the devils work.

[Amelanchier]

There is a classic experiment I remember at school that demonstrates the potency within a confined space of the volatile cyanide produced by crushed Cherry Laurel leaves.

 

EiC July 2008 - Feature - Exhibition chemistry: Toxic Hydrogen Cyanide

 

I think we used ladybirds IIRC.

 

Note "The UK workplace exposure limit for HCN (short-term, ie 15 minute exposure) is 10 ppm (11 mg m-3)." Also note that I have no idea as to the concentration within a truck full of chip!

 

Cyanide screws with enzymes and results in cell death - so perhaps sucking in great lungfuls of the aroma ain't such a good plan.

Edited February 6, 2010 by Amelanchier
sp.

[The tree monkey]

Doubt it'll do you any harm, horrible smell though and i like marzipan!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I would avoid being in the chip box, simple as that.

[MattyF]

Have felt pretty rough after spending days chipping it... head ache and chest pain ..

[Hodge]

bunch of softys daahnn sarf, ha,ha, we smoke it up here instead of weed............. only kidding lads.

[tommer9]

bunch of softys daahnn sarf, ha,ha, we smoke it up here instead of weed............. only kidding lads.