bay rum tree

The bay-rum tree (Pimenta racemosa) is a West Indian tree closely related to the allspice tree. It is the source of an aromatic oil used in bay rum, a fragrant liquid with cosmetic and medicinal uses. This oil, also known as myrcia oil, is yellow, aromatic, and antiseptic. While originally prepared by distilling macerated bay-rum tree leaves in rum, bay rum is now typically made by mixing alcohol and water with essential oils from the bay-rum tree, sometimes with other aromatic oils. The leaves of the bay-rum tree are distinct from the bay leaves used as a spice, which come from the sweet bay tree (Laurus nobilis) native to the Mediterranean region.1234