Herbs, Plants, Trees and Roots | July, 2011

You entered Candleberry Myrtle, the more common name is...

Stem and root bark brewed into tea has been used to treat fevers, diarrhea, colds, the flu and bacterial infections.  The bark and the leaves are used as a poultice to treat wounds, lesions, carbuncles, boils, itching and insect bites. Wax is used to make fragrant candles.

Bayberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME:
(Myrica cerifera)


Native to North America, the Bayberry is a small tree or large shrub depending on soil conditions; the wetter the soil the more tree like Bayberry grows. It is adaptable so it may be found growing in any climate, soil or location. An evergreen, its leaves are long and thick with serrated edges, aromatic and glandular. Bayberry flowers in late winter or early spring and the female develops fruit that are globular and surrounded by a natural wax-like coating in late summer or early fall.



Common Names:

American Bayberry, American Vegetable Wax, Bayberry Bush, Bayberry Wax Tree, Candleberry, Candleberry Myrtle, Myrtle, Tallow Shrub, Vegetable Tallow, Wax Berry, Wax Myrtle, Yang-mei


Uses:

Stem and root bark brewed into tea has been used to treat fevers, diarrhea, colds, the flu and bacterial infections. The bark and the leaves are used as a poultice to treat wounds, lesions, carbuncles, boils, itching and insect bites. Wax is used to make fragrant candles.



Applications:

Tea:
Boil bark in water and drink 1 cup every 4 to 6 hours.

Poultice:
Use root bark and leaves to make poultice and apply to afflicted area.

Capsule:
Follow dosage on bottle.


Warnings:

Wax is irritating. Constituents of the wax are reportedly carcinogenic. Avoid in very hot temperatures. Avoid if hypertensive.

With any herb, there is the risk of an allergic reaction. Small children and pregnant women should use additional caution when considering the use of herbal remedies.