Laurel water

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title: "Laurel water" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["poisons", "prunus"] description: "Solution of hydrogen cyanide" topic_path: "general/poisons" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurel_water" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Solution of hydrogen cyanide ::

Laurel water is distilled from the fresh leaves of the cherry laurel, and contains the poison prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid), along with other products carried over in the process.

Pharmacological usage

Historically, the water (Latin aqua laurocerasi) was used for asthma, coughs, indigestion and dyspepsia, and as a sedative narcotic; however, since it is effectively a solution of hydrogen cyanide, of uncertain strength, it would be extremely dangerous to attempt medication with laurel water. The Roman emperor Nero is thought to have potentially used cherry laurel water to poison the wells of his enemies, based on extremely sparse evidence.

References

References

1. "laurel water - definition by dict.die.net".
2. "Laurel, Cherry - Herb Profile and Information". botanical.com - A Modern Herbal.
3. Anderson, Faye. "Security and Water".

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