Small trees and shrubs known as bayberries, or Myrica, are native to Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South America, and North America. It belongs to a genus of 35–50 species. Botanically, this family's members are all grouped under the Myricaceae family and can be found all over the world. Typically, South America, Japan, the West Indies, the United States, and the United Kingdom are where it is grown.
General Description
A shrub called Myrica can reach heights of 3 to 8 feet. The Great Lakes, the Atlantic Coast, and North American shrubs all have marshy and sandy places where you might find this plant. Herbalists typically utilize the American version of it for therapeutic purposes. American bayberry resembles another species known as English bog myrtle in appearance and height growth. It is an evergreen shrub with little dots on its knife-shaped, blade-shaped leaves. This tree's bark and crumpled leaves release a wonderful, aromatic scent. The flavor of bayberry is strong, astringent, and bitter. It produces clusters of fruit that are globular in shape. Bayberry's cork is a brownish-red tint and has speckled bark.
A deciduous shrub called bayberry may retain some of its leaves during the winter. It has small, drupe-shaped fruits and spirally-arranged leaves.
Additionally, it is employed for commercial purposes. In China, where it is sold fresh, canned, and dried, as an alcoholic beverage or juice, bayberry is a significant crop from an economic standpoint. It is used to flavor beer in Denmark. However, traditionally, the wax coating on its fruit is utilized to make candles.
Common Name - Bayberry, Myrica, Candleberry, Bay-rum tree, Sweet gale, and Wax-myrtle
Botanical Name - Morella Cerifera and Myrica Cerifera
Hindi Name - Kafal, Kaaphal
Family - Myricaceae
Cultivation
It is grown all over the world and is adaptable to different types of soil. It typically flourishes in the sand dunes next to the sea. The area's dry environment prevents it from growing larger. The shrub's branches are heavily developed, but the flowers are inconsequential. Its berries are a silvery-gray tint.
Habitat
In coastal regions of Southern and Eastern North America, myrica is widely grown. Where the WEATHER is adequate, it is a well-liked garden plant worldwide.
Part Used
In general, the bark is used for medicinal purposes, however, leaves, fruit wax, and fruits can also be used for therapeutic purposes. The bark is gathered, properly dried, and then collected in the container.
Chemical Composition
Flavonoids, triterpenes, taraxeron, taraxerol, tannins, resins, phenols, and rubber compounds are all present in Bayberry.
Medicinal Properties
- Analgesic
- Anticonvulsant
- Ant paralytic
- Antispasmodic
- Antipyretic
- Astringent
- Anti-inflammatory
- Digestive
- Decongestant
- Healing
- Antibacterial
- Antimicrobial
Therapeutic Properties
- Due to its analgesic qualities, bayberry soothes colic and all forms of pain.
- Due to the decongestant qualities of this plant, it reduces excess mucus and treats colds and coughs.
- This plant can cure circulatory issues and enhance lymphatic drainage since it is a circulatory stimulant.
- Due to its astringent qualities, this herb aids in digestive improvement and the treatment of diarrhea and dysentery.
- Colitis and other inflammatory conditions anywhere in the body can be treated with the anti-inflammatory qualities of the bayberry shrub.
- Your throat will feel soothed and better when you gargle with its decoction.
- This herb can be used as a douche to treat leucorrhea.
- As a diaphoretic, bay leaf helps to dilate blood vessels and causes or increases perspiration, both of which can help lower fever.
- By causing sweating, this plant can aid in naturally decreasing a fever's temperature.
- Due to the uterus's increased contraction, it can be utilized to induce both menstruation and abortion.
- Making herbal tea from its bark or leaves can help alleviate stomach issues brought on by digestive issues.
- Bayberry can be used to alleviate headaches since it has analgesic qualities.
- This herb aids in the treatment of sinusitis, pharyngitis, and other similar inflammatory illnesses because of its decongestant characteristics.
- If applied locally, a decoction derived from this herb aids in speedier healing of the wound.
- As Bayberry has antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities, it also prevents and treats bacterial or microbiological infections.
- This herb contains therapeutic characteristics that can be used locally to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
- Bayberry can treat liver and gallbladder disorders because studies have shown that it promotes bile flow.
- It enhances digestion and guards against heartburn, indigestion, and other digestive diseases.
- Its astringent qualities make it helpful in treating intestinal irritation. This property of the plant is due to tannins, which have also been demonstrated by numerous recent research.