BAYBERRY (Morella cerifera (L.) Small)

BAYBERRY (Morella cerifera (L.) Small)

Synonym — Myrica cerifera L., Myrica cerifera var. pumila Michx., Myrica pumila (Michx.) Small.
Taxonomists may rarely have trouble distinguishing M. cerifera, M. gale, and M. pensylvanica, so
I suspect herbalists and collectors may mix them on occasion. Rafinesque, an eccentric MD, circa
1839, said that all species were equivalent from the medicinal point of view (CEB).
Activities (Bayberry) — Alterative (f; CRC); Analgesic (1; DEM; FNF); Antibacterial (1; PED);
Antiinflammatory (1; APA); Antipyretic (1; APA; CAN); Astringent (1; FAD; PED; PHR; PH2);
Carcinogenic (f; APA); Cardiotonic (f; CRC; JFM); Choleretic (1; APA); Circulostimulant (f; CAN);
Deobstruent (f; CRC); Depurative (f; DEM); Diaphoretic (1; CAN; CRC; PHR; PH2); Diuretic (f;
CEB); Emetic (f; APA; FAD; FEL; CAN; PH2); Errhine (f; CEB); Expectorant (f; APA; CEB);
Insecticide (f; CEB); Insectifuge (1; CEB); Laxative (1; CRC; PED); Mineral corticoid (1; APA);
Narcotic (f; CEB; CRC; FEL); Protisticide (1; APA); Sialagogue (1; CEB; PED); Spermicide (1;
APA); Sternutator (f; CRC); Stimulant (f; CEB; CRC; FEL; PED; PHR; PH2; PNC); Stomachic
(f; CEB; CRC); Tonic (f; APA); Vermifuge (f; DEM).
Indications (Bayberry) — Adenopathy (f; CRC); Alopecia (f; CEB); Amenorrhea (f; FEL);
Backache (f; CRC); Bacteria (1; PED); Bite (f; CEB); Bleeding (f; CEB); Boil (f; CEB; CRC);
Bronchosis (f; MAD); Cancer (f; CRC; JLH); Canker (f; CRC); Carbuncle (f; CRC); Catarrh
(f; FAD; FEL; MAD); Chill (f; FAD); Cholera (f; CEB; CRC); Cold (f; CAN; FAD; PHR;
PH2); Colic (f; CEB); Colitis (f; APA; CAN); Congestion (f; APA); Constipation (1; CRC;

PED); Cough (f; PHR; PH2; PNC); Cramp (f; FEL); Dermatosis (f; PED; PHR; PH2); Diarrhea
(1; APA; CAN; CRC; FEL); Dry Mouth (1; PED); Dysentery (f; CRC; FAD; JFM); Dysmenorrhea
(f; CRC); Dyspepsia (f; MAD); Enterosis (f; MAD); Epistaxis (f; CEB); Fever (1; APA;
CAN; CRC; FAD; MAD; PHR; PH2); Fistula (f; FEL); Flu (f; APA); Gallstone (f; MAD);
Gastrosis (f; DEM; FAD); Gingivosis (1; APA; FEL); Goiter (f; CRC); Gravel (f; MAD);
Headache (f; CEB; CRC; DEM; MAD); Hematochezia (f; CRC); Hematoptysis (f; CRC);
Hemorrhoid (1; APA); Hepatosis (1; APA; CRC; MAD); Hysteria (f; CEB); Infection (1; PED);
Inflammation (1; APA; DEM); Itch (f; CEB; FAD); Jaundice (f; CRC; FAD; JFM; MAD);
Lethargy (f; APA; PED); Leukorrhea (f; CAN; CRC; FAD; FEL; MAD); Metrorrhagia (f; CEB;
CRC); Mucososis (f; APA; CAN; MAD); Pain (1; DEM; FNF); Palsy (f; CEB); Parasite (1;
APA); Pharyngosis (f; CRC; MAD); Polyp (f; CRC; JLH; PED); Poor Circulation (f; CAN);
Pyorrhea (f; CRC); Rheumatism (f; DEM); Rhinosis (f; JLH); Scarlet Fever (f; CRC; FEL);
Scrofula (f; CRC; FAD; FEL; PED); Sore (f; CRC; FEL; PHR); Sore Throat (1; APA; CAN;
CRC; FEL); Stomachache (f; DEM); Stomatosis (1; CRC; FEL; MAD; PED); Stone (f; MAD);
Swelling (f; CEB); Tonsilosis (f; DEM); Toothache (f; CEB); Typhoid (f; CRC; FEL); Ulcer
(f; APA; CRC; PH2); Uterosis (f; CEB; CRC); Vaginosis (1; APA); Varicosis (f; APA; CRC);
Water Retention (f; CEB); Worm (f; DEM).
Dosages (Bayberry) — APA cautions: do not take (APA). 0.6–2 g powdered bark by infusion or
decoction, 3 ×/day (CAN); 20–30 grains powdered bark (FEL); 1–4 g powdered bark (PNC); 1.5–3
g dry bark(PED); 2 g dry bark:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water (PED); 1–3 tbsp fresh bark (PED); 2–4
ml liquid bark extract (PNC); 0.6–2 ml liquid extract (1:1 in 45% ethanol) 3 ×/day (CAN); 2–4 fl
oz leaf or bark (FEL); 405–475 mg capsules (PH2).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Bayberry) — Class 1 (AHP). None known
(PHR). Not covered (KOM). “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic
dosages” (PH2). Bayberry is carcinogenic to rats (CAN). “Canadian regulations do not allow
bayberry as a non-medicinal ingredient for oral use products” (Michols, 1995). Large doses may
cause mineralcorticoid side effects (high blood pressure, sodium retention, water retention). Use
of this herb can deplete potassium in the body, leading to high blood pressure and edema. Should
not be used by persons with high blood pressure, edema, kidney disease, congestive heart failure,
gastrointestinal conditions, and/or sodium/potassium imbalance without first consulting a doctor.
With reported carcinogenic and mineral corticoid activity, bayberry should be avoided during
pregnancy and lactation (CAN). Contains myricitrin, an antibiotic that promotes sweating, which
can reduce fever. Stimulates the flow of bile. Used to alleviate fever and diarrhea. May cause
nausea and vomiting in large doses. Bayberry contains a high proportion of tannins and should
not be used if there is a history of cancer. (Note, it is tannins that are also being promoted for
cancer prevention in teas; make up our minds.) Some laboratory studies have shown tannins may
promote cancer (TMA, 1996). Tannins and phenols from bark reported carcinogenic in rats when
injected; but phenol and tannins orally have reported “anti-tumor promoting activity” (PNC).
Wax irritating, reportedly carcinogenic (FAD). Triterpenes sapogenins may have purgative stimulus
(PED); flavonoids antibacterial (PED). Myricadiol with mineral corticoid activity; myricitrin
bactericidal, choleretic, protisticidal, and spermicidal (CAN; PNC).

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