Bayberry

Also Known As: Wax Myrtle Plant, Candleberry, Chinese Bayberry, Red Bayberry, Waxberry, and Yang-Mei

Botanical Name: Myrica cerifera and Myrica rubra

Botanical Name: Myrica Cerifera or Morella Cerifera

Family Name: Myricaceae

Native To: North America

Parts To Use: Root Bark, Leaves, Fruit

How It’s Used: Contains triterpenes (such as taraxerol, taraxeron and myrikadiol), flavonoids (myricitrin), tannins, phenols, and resins. It is used for for head colds, painful and swollen intestines, diarrhea, nausea, and to stimulate the circulatory system. The bark can be used to make ointment for skin ulcers and wounds. In large amounts, bayberry is used to cause vomiting.

Harvesting: Harvest the root in late autumn. Pound to separate bark from the root, dry thoroughly, and keep in a dry place. Once dried, bayberry root can also be ground and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

The European settlers who came to North America learned about the medicinal properties of bayberry from Native Americans. A description from 1737 states that the plant “removes air and relieves all kinds of pain caused by cold, and is a good remedy for colic, paralysis, convulsions, epilepsy and other disorders.” The root bark of bayberry was listed in the United States Pharmacopeia from 1916 to 1936. Modern research studies have confirmed that bayberry does contain astringent and antibacterial substances. The astringent effect is due to the tannin found in the plant and explains why the herb was once a popular remedy for diarrhea, sores, and hemorrhoids.

Bayberry is a large aromatic shrub with evergreen, dark green, leathery-like leaves and small waxy, blue-gray fruit. They grow from 5-8 feet tall and can be found across all coastlines in North America. Bayberry is adaptable to many habitats and likes full sun. The species flowers from late winter to spring, and bear fruit in late summer or fall.

Bayberry root bark contains an antibiotic chemical called myricitrin, which is said to fight a broad range of bacteria. Myricitrin's antibiotic action supports bayberry's use against diarrhea, fever, and liver and gallbladder ailments. The herb has also been used as a treatment for headaches, and as a decongestant for colds, flu, cough, throat infections and sinusitis. Externally, bayberry ointment can be used to treat slow healing wounds, hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Large doses have been used to induce vomiting as a treatment for poisoning. Because bayberry root bark may cause stomach distress, those with chronic gastrointestinal conditions should use it cautiously. People with high blood pressure, heart problems, fluid retention or poor kidney function should not use bayberry.