Bayberry (Myrica)
Synopsis
Bayberry (Myrica cerifera), also known as wax myrtle, is an aromatic shrub native to the southeastern United States, traditionally valued for its bark, roots, and waxy berries. While the berries were historically used to make candles, the root bark is the primary part used in herbal medicine for its potent astringent, antimicrobial, and circulatory-stimulating properties.
Bayberry root bark contains tannins, resins, triterpenes, and volatile oils, which contribute to its ability to:
- Tone mucous membranes in the digestive and respiratory tracts
- Reduce inflammation and swelling
- Stimulate circulation and lymphatic drainage
- Fight infections in the throat, mouth, and intestines
- Support fever resolution and sweating (diaphoretic action)
It is commonly used to treat:
- Diarrhea and digestive weakness
- Colds, flu, sore throat, and sinus congestion
- Bleeding gums or canker sores
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Sluggish lymphatic flow or poor circulation
Bayberry is typically administered as a tincture, decoction, or powdered capsule, often in combination with other warming and stimulating herbs such as cayenne or ginger for enhanced effectiveness.
Historical Use:
Bayberry was a cornerstone herb in early American folk medicine and 19th-century Eclectic medicine. Practitioners used it extensively for “cold” conditions, where it was believed to warm the system, arrest discharges, and promote healing. It was frequently employed in the treatment of typhoid fevers, chronic catarrh, and gastrointestinal infections.
The Shakers and Thomsonian herbalists especially revered bayberry, using it in formulas to stimulate vitality, resolve stagnation, and treat mouth and gum diseases. Bayberry root bark tea was a popular home remedy for sore throats, colds, and internal bleeding.
Though not found in Ayurveda or Traditional Chinese Medicine, bayberry shares qualities with herbs in those systems used to dry dampness, stop discharge, and stimulate warming energy in the body.
Today, bayberry is less commonly used than in the past but remains a reliable herbal astringent and immune stimulant, often revisited in modern herbalism for its ability to tighten tissues, support digestion, and aid upper respiratory conditions, especially in cold, damp constitutions.
Uses: Health Conditions
Sweat Baths (herbs for) (Traditional)
Body Systems
Small Intestines (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
Structural System (Traditional)
Vagina (Traditional)
Gums (Traditional)
Mucus Membranes (Traditional)
Respiratory System (Traditional)
Sinuses (Traditional)
Skin (Traditional)