Bayberry Root

History and Uses:
Bayberry grows in thickets near swamps and marshes in the sand-belt near the Atlantic coast and on the shores of Lake Erie, and the parts of this plant used medicinally are the roots and bark. The early American colonists found the Bayberry tree growing throughout the East, but they used it to make fragrant candles, rather than medicines. Initially, Bayberry was used medicinally only in the South, where the Choctaw Indians boiled the leaves and drank a decoction as a treatment for fever. Later, Louisiana settlers adopted the plant and drank Bayberry wax in hot water for the most violent cases of dysentery. During the early nineteenth century, Bayberry Root was popularized by the New England herbalist, Samuel A. Thomson, who touted it for producing "heat' within the body. Thomson recommended Bayberry Root for colds, flu and other infectious diseases, in addition to diarrhea and fever. The wax from the berries was once collected to make candles, cosmetics and soap. The dried berries are included in broths and used as spices. The berries are also used in Bay Rum and some hair tonics. The extract of this herb attracts male Mediterranean fruit flies, which may be important as a natural pest control. The leaves are infused like tea, especially in China, as a stomachic and cordial. Bayberry stimulates lymphatic drainage and encourages the healing of mucus membranes. The primary chemical constituents of Bayberry include essential oils, triterpenes (taraxerol, taraxaxerone, myricadol), flavonoids (myricitrin), phenols, starch, myrica wax (palmitic acid, stearic acid, myristic acid) lignin, albumen, gum, tannins and gallic acid. Contemporary herbalists recommend using the herb externally for varicose veins and internally for diarrhea, dysentery, colds, flu, bleeding gums and sore throat. It is excellent to use in the early stages of infection, as it contains myricitrin, which exhibits antibiotic activity against a wide range of bacteria. As a circulatory stimulant, Bayberry is a valuable astringent in diarrhea and dysentery. The herb is also indicated in cases of mucous colitis. As a gargle it is said to relieve sore throats, and as a douche it is used to help combat leucorrhea.