Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Bayberry (Myrica cerifera) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in North America, for supporting skin healing in cases of scratches, abrasions, and minor wounds. Historically, Native American tribes and early American herbalists prepared bayberry bark as a poultice or wash for external application. The astringent properties of bayberry, attributed primarily to its high tannin content, were believed to help contract tissues, reduce minor bleeding, and form a protective barrier over wounds, potentially aiding recovery and preventing infection.

Despite these traditional uses, there is a lack of robust scientific evidence to validate bayberry’s effectiveness for treating scratches and abrasions. Few, if any, clinical trials or laboratory studies have specifically investigated bayberry’s wound-healing properties in humans. Some phytochemical analyses confirm the presence of tannins and other antimicrobial compounds, which may theoretically confer benefits for minor skin injuries, but such findings are preliminary and not conclusive for clinical practice. Overall, while bayberry’s use for scratches and abrasions is supported by historical and ethnobotanical records, modern scientific research to confirm these effects is lacking.

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Integrative Therapeutics Glycemic Manager