Bayberry
|
Botanical Name |
Myrica cerifera |
|
Family |
Myricaceae |
|
Other Names |
Candle berry, myrica, tallow shrub, wachsgaggle, waxberry, wax myrtle, |
|
Description |
Evergreen shrub or tree up to 2.5m/8ft. Covered in blue-ish wax Leaves-lanced shaped |
|
Native to |
North America |
|
Naturalised |
Europe |
|
Habitat |
Coast, lowlands |
|
Part Used |
Bark, root |
|
Actions |
Astringent, diaphoretic, stimulant |
|
Constituents |
Resin, phenols Tannins-tannic acid, gallic acid Saturated fatty acids –palmitic, stearic, myristic, lauric Volatile oils 0.2-0.4% Triterpenes –taraxerol, taraxerone, myricadiol, urocadioll, myriceric acid A, myriceron caffeoyl ester Flavonoids –myricitrin Carbohydrates – starch, sugars, gum |
|
Respiratory |
Sore throats |
|
Digestive |
Diarrhoea, dysentery |
|
Immune |
Colds |
|
Other Uses |
Soaps, candles |
|
Notes |
Burning a bayberry candle on Christmas day until it goes out is said to bring good luck according to Christian tradition Myrica is derived from the Greek “tamarisk” Cerifera is derived from the Latin “cera” meaning was & “fero” meaning to bear |