BAYBERRY
Myrica cerifera
COMMON NAMES: American bayberries, candle berry, wax berry, wax myrtle, tallow shrub, American
vegetable wax.
FEATURES: From the Myricacea family we have bayberry, popular as an ornamental shrub because of the
attractive fruit masses that persist all winter. The stiff shrub or small slender tree can grow to 40 feet tall
but is usually low and spreading, forming dense thickets. Native in sandy swamps, marshes, and wet
woodlands from southern New Jersey to Florida and the West Indies, west to Arkansas and Texas.
The bark is brownish gray and smooth; leaves narrow at the base, oblong or lanceolate, 1–4 inches
long, much reduced toward the tip of the branch, often sparingly toothed, dark green and shiny above,
paler and sometimes hairy beneath. The flowers appear in early spring, March and April, before or with
the new leaves. The fruits are borne against the stems. The green berries are covered, when mature, with
microscopic rounded particles of pale blue, lavender, or grayish white aromatic wax that is used in
making candles that burn with a pleasing fragrance.
The root bark should be gathered in the fall. Cleanse it thoroughly, and while fresh separate the bark
with a hammer. Dry the bark completely and keep in a dry place; when dry enough to pulverize do so and
store in a dark glass or sealed pottery container.
The berry wax, which possesses mild astringent properties, can be obtained by boiling the berries. The
wax will come to the surface and can be removed when cool and hard. The fragrant wax makes a
delightful scented candle.
MEDICINAL PART: Root bark.
SOLVENT: Boiling water.
BODILY INFLUENCE: Astringent, stimulant, tonic.
USES: Bayberry is considered one of the most useful in the medical herbal practice. It has had popular
respect for generations.
Myrica has the most effective influence in diseased mucous accumulation of the alimentary canal,
which in this morbid soil is an incubator for bronchopulmonic diseases, sore throat or scarlet fever,
dysentery, and symptoms such as chronic catarrhal diarrhea, cholera, goiter, scrofula, toxic seepage from
the stomach and intestinal tract, gastritis, leukorrhea, typhoid, etc. Myrica is both a general and special
stimulant to the mucous membranes without causing a rise in temperature; it is at the same time an aid for
digestion and nutrition and is blood building.
It is indispensable for female weakness and where better contraction is indicated in the uterus. This
applies in cases of uterine hemorrhage whether due to miscarriage or other causes. The uterus can be