* Please Note: Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. Although we have done our best to review the validity of these uses and we continue to revise this information as new data emerges, the traditional uses indicated on this page for this product may be wrong. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not necessarily based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Bayberry Myrica cerifera L. (= M. pensylvanica Loisel.).
Family: Myriaceae.
Other Names: Wax myrtle; waxberry; arbre à suif (French); Wachsmyrte (German); corteccia (Italian).
Description: Bayberry is an evergreen shrub or small tree of up to 10 m in height, with oblong leaves, inconspicuous yellow flowers in elongated clusters and grey waxy berries. Related species are bog myrtle (M. gale) and dune waxberry (M. cordifolia). See notes below.
Origin: North America; eastern and southern parts, mostly in the coastal Atlantic regions.
Parts Used: Root bark (candleberry bark, wax myrtle bark).
Uses and Properties: The product is mainly used to treat mucous colitis but numerous other uses have been recorded, including the treatment of diarrhoea, colds and flu, sore throat, heavy menstruation, leucorrhoea (as a douche) and ulcers.
Preparation and Dosage: Infusion, decoctions or tinctures of 0.6 - 2.0 g of powdered bark maybe taken three times a day. Powdered bark may be applied to ulcers. Bark extracts are included in numerous commercial preparations.
Active Ingredients: The root bark contains the Eavonoid myricitrin, together with tannins and triterpenoids (including myricadiol, taraxerol and taraxerone). The wax (actually a lipid obtained from the skin of the fruits) contains esters of palmitic, myristic and lauric acids.
Pharmacological Effects: It is speculated that myriciinn may account for the reported antibacterial and choleretic effects. Tannins are astringent and provide a plausible explanation for some of the traditional uses.
Notes: The specific epithet cerifera means wax-bearing. In former times, the wax was a substitute for bees wax and used to make candles and scented bayberry soap. In South Africa, the wax of Myrica cordifolia (dune waxberry) is used to make candles and floor polish. Leaves of the European and North America M. gale, Myrti brabanticifolia, contain 0.4% essential oil (rich in 1,8-cineole) and flavonoids (myricetin). It is a traditional medicine that was used against parasites and to treat skin disorders.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.
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Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 tea bag for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the pot, cover and let steep for 2-4 minutes. Pour into your cup; add milk and sugar to taste.
Iced tea brewing method: (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 5 tea bags into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea itself. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into the serving pitcher straining the tea bags. Add ice and top-up with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste.
Cautions
Myricadiol has documented mineralocorticoid activity. It has also been suggested that large doses may interfere with steroid treatment or with medication for hypotension or hypertension.
Additional Information
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
