Difference between revisions of "Bayberry"

Revision as of 12:57, 2 July 2017

Other Names : American Bayberry, Bayberry Wax Tree, Wax Myrtle, Yang-mei, Bayberry Bush, Arbe a Suif, Árbol de Cera, Arbre à Cire, Candleberry, Cirier de Pennsylvanie, Katphala, Morella caroliniensis, Morella cerifera, Morella pensylvanica, Myrica, Myrica caroliniensis, Myricae Cortex, Myrica cerifera, Myrica, Myrica heterophylla, Myrica pensylvanica, Myrica pumila, Tallow Shrub, Vegetable Tallow, Wachsgagl,...

Special Precautions of Bayberry

Bayberry may not be safe for anyone, but it is especially risky for people with the following conditions:

• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Bayberry is considered POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take by mouth or apply to the skin if you are pregnant or breast-feeding because it contains a chemical that can cause cancer. Bayberry can cause nausea, vomiting, and liver damage.
• High blood pressure: Bayberry contains large amounts of chemicals called tannins. Tannins can increase the amount of sodium that the body retains. This can cause extra fluids to build up, and that can raise blood pressure. It’s especially important to avoid bayberry if you have high blood pressure.
• Water retention (edema): Bayberry might make edema worse. It’s especially important to avoid bayberry if you tend to retain water.

Health Benefits and uses of Bayberry

Use of bayberry for therapeutic purposes had waned since the 19th century, when the popularity of this herb was at its peak. Nevertheless, some herbal practitioners as well as common people continue to use this plant even to this day to treat diarrhea, fever and a number of other health conditions. The herb's rook bark encloses a chemical compound called myricitrin, which is known to possess anti-fever attributes. Additionally, myricitrin together with the tannins present in the herb possesses anti-diarrheal qualities. While myricitrin acts as an antibiotic, tannins enclosed by bayberry work as astringents.

• improving the blood circulation
• promoting perspiration
• avoid bacterial infections
• treating common cold, coughs and flu
• helpful in constricting as well drying the mucous membranes.
• Taking a gargle with the herb is helpful in curing tender throats
• an infusion prepared with the root bark of bayberry is useful in making the spongy gums stronger.
• In large amounts, bayberry is used to cause vomiting.
• The astringent property of bayberry is believed to cure intestinal problems, for instance irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as well as mucous colitis (irritable bowel syndrome distinguished by the passage of abnormally great amounts of mucus). Then again, a paste made with the powdered bayberry root bark is applied topically on the ulcers and sores.
• an infusion prepared with the root bark of bayberry is also believed to facilitate in treating excessive vaginal discharge.
• Despite safety concerns, some people take bayberry for head colds, painful and swollen intestines (colitis), diarrhea, and nausea.