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Never use this or any other herb without first consulting your Doctor!

Bayberry

Myrica cerifera
M. pensyvanica
Myicaceae
(candleberry , waxberry, wax myrtle)

Parts used: bark
Energy and Flavors: spicy,astringent,warm
Systema Affected: stomach-spleen,lungs,liver
Properties: stimulant,astringent,expectorant, diphoretic
Biochemical constituents: volatile oil, starch, lignin,albumin, gum, tannic and gallic acids, acrid and astringent resins, an acid resembling
saponin.

 bayberry bush
Habitat and range.—The bayberry is native in sandy swamps or wet woods from New Brunswick south to Florida. Myrica cerifera is found as far west as Texas and Arkansas while M. carolinensis is common in bogs in northern New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

bayberry winter Description.—The southern waxmyrtle is a shrub or slender tree up to 40 feet high. The leaves are from 1 to 4 inches long, narrow, wedge-shaped, entire or with a few teeth, and have a fragrant odor when crushed. The flowers appear from March to May, according to locality, generally before the leaves are fully expanded. Male and female flowers are borne on separate trees, the male flowers in cylindrical yellow clusters and the female flowers in green somewhat shorter clusters. The fruit, which remains on the tree for several years, consists of clusters of round, 1-seeded, somewhat berrylike nuts covered with a whitish wax. Northern bayberry is a shrub 8 feet high or less, with broader and blunter leaves.
The most renowned use of bayberry bark is " Dr. Thompson's Composition Powder". In the past it was commonally used by doctors upon the first sign of colds coughs and flu's. Their are still many flavored versions of composition powder - my own is called Herbal Uprising and intergrates licorice root as one of the ingredients ( see the chapter entitled Making an herbal formula ). The use of bayberry in this formula acts as an stimulant to rally the body's defenses and resistance to disease. Bayberry is used wherever an astingent is indicated. When unavailable, oak bark can be used in its place although this does not have the stimulating properties of bayberry bark.

Steep one teaspoon in a cup of boiling water, cover and allow to stand until cool enough to drink. Honey may be added to taste. It will effectively induce perspiration, improve circulation and tone all the tissues it contacts. In large doses it serves as an emetic. It may be used as a gargle for sore throats. A formentation made from this tea can be applied externally at night to relieve, cure and even pervent vaircose veins.

Bayberry bark is used to treat prolapsed uterus and excessive menstrual bleeding, and may be used in a douche to treat vaginal discharge. It has also been valued for stoping hemorrhage of the bowels, lungs and uterus. The powder may be taken in gelatin capsules, two at a time as needed. Direct application of the powder to the gums is good for managing pyorrhea.

Dose: of the powdered bark 1-4 grams: of the tincture 10-20 drops.
Bayberry bark is used for: colds, flus and fevers, astringent for hemorrhoids,dentifrice.

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