Bayberry

Myrica cerifera

The bayberry plant, Myrica pensylvanica Loisel. of the family Myricaceae is a deciduous shrub widely distributed throughout the eastern and southern states. Bayberry is closely related to the wax myrtle Myrica cerifera L.., a somewhat larger evergreen shrub or tree that is also referred to as southern bayberry. Both species produce small bluish white berries, the wax of which is used to make the fragrant smelling bayberry candles, popular at Christmastime.

In folk medicine, the root bark of both species is administered internally, usually in the form of a warm infusion or tea, for its tonic, stimulant, and astringent properties. It is reputed to be especially valuable in the treatment of diarrhea. In large doses, bayberry bark acts as an emetic due to its irritating action on the stomach. The drug has also been used to increase the secretion of nasal mucus during head colds. Applied in the form of poultices, the root bark is said to be useful in the treatment of chronic, so-called indolent, ulcers. One herbalist describes the drug as, "If not absolutely the most useful article in botanic practice, it is certainly nearly so."

The nature of much "current" herbal information may be deduced from books published as recently as 1980 which continue to list only those constituents of bayberry originally determined in 1863 by analytical procedures now thought extremely primitive. These compounds include an acrid and an astringent resin, tannic acid, gallic acid, and a principle called myricinic acid which has never been characterized chemically.

Subsequent chemical investigations have identified several interesting chemical compounds in bayberry root bark. Three triterpenes, myricadiol, taraxerol, and taraxerone, are present in the drug plus a flavonoid glycoside myricitrin. Of these compounds, myricadiol has been reported to have mineral corticoid activity, i.e., it influences sodium and potassium metabolism in the same way as the steroid principles of the adrenal cortex. Myricitrin has been shown to function as a choleretic (stimulates flow of bile) and as an agent toxic to bacteria, paramecia, and sperm.

However, even if bayberry were a useful drug for any particular condition - a hypothesis that remains unproven - its safety, at least in large doses, is still in doubt because of the potential carcinogenic nature of its contained tannin. Injection of bark extracts into rats produced a significant number of malignant tumors during a relatively long-term (78 weeks) experiment. These results raise a question about the safety of bayberry for consumption by human beings. Since the root bark has no proven medicinal value anyway, it seems best to restrict the use of the plant to its berries, whose wax does make nice-smelling candles.

Other names

• American Bayberry
• Arbe a Suif
• Bayberry Bush
• Bayberry Wax Tree
• Candle Berry
• Katphala
• Myrica
• Myricae Cortex
• Tallow Shrub
• Vegetable Tallow
• Vegetable Wax
• Wachsgagl
• Wax Myrtle
• Yang-mei

Parts used

Bark of root.

Uses

Bayberry is commonly used to increase circulation, stimulate perspiration, and keep bacterial infections in check. Colds, flu, coughs, and sore throats benefit from treatment with this herb. Bayberry helps to strengthen local resistance to infection and to tighten and dry mucous membranes. An infusion is helpful for strengthening spongy gums, and a gargle is used for sore throat. Bayberry's astringency helps intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and mucous colitis. An infusion can also help treat excess vaginal discharge. A paste of the powdered root bark may be applied onto ulcers and sores.

Habitat & cultivation

Bayberry is found in coastal regions of the eastern and southern US as far west as Texas. The root bark is collected in autumn or spring.

Constituents

Bayberry contains triterpenes (including taraxerol, taraxerone, and myricadiol), flavonoids, tannins, phenols, resins, and gums. Myricadiol has a mild effect on potassium and sodium levels. Myricitrin is antibacterial.

How much to take

Decoction: put 1 teaspoonful of the bark into a cup of cold water and bring to the boil. Leave for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 1 - 3ml of the tincture three times a day.

Collection & harvesting

The root should be unearthed in spring or autumn and its bark pared off and dried.

Combinations

As a digestive astringent it may be used with comfrey root and agrimony.

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