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Bayberry
Part Used : Bark of root Constituents : The whole complex of primary plant constituents
and a characteristic array of secondary plant constituents are present. Actions : Astringent, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic. Preparations & Dosage : Parts Used : The dried bark of the root. The wax. Habitat : Eastern North America. Description : The only species of a useful family that is regarded as official, Myrica cerifera grows in thickets near swamps and marshes in the sand-belt near the Atlantic coast and on the shores of Lake Erie. Its height is from 3 to 8 feet, its leaves lanceolate, shining or resinous, dotted on both sides, its flowers unisexual without calyx or corolla, and its fruit small groups of globular berries, having numerous black grains crusted with greenish-white wax. These are persistent for two or three years. The leaves are very fragrant when rubbed. The bark as found in commerce is in curved pieces from 1 to 7 inches long, covered with a thin, mottled layer, the cork beneath being smooth and red-brown. The fracture is reddish, granular, and slightly fibrous. The odour is aromatic, and the taste astringent, bitter, and very acrid. It should be separated from the fresh root by pounding, in late autumn, thoroughly dried, and when powdered, kept in darkened, well-closed vessels. The wax was first introduced into medicinal use by Alexandre in 1722. It is removed from the berries by boiling them in water, on the top of which it floats. It melts at 47 to 49 C. (116.6 to 120.2 F.). It is harder and more brittle than beeswax. Candles made from it are aromatic, smokeless after snuffing, and very brittle. It makes a useful body for surgeon's soap plasters, and an aromatic and softening shaving lather. It has also been used for making sealing-wax. Four-fifths of this wax is soluble in hot alcohol, and boiling ether dissolves more than a quarter of its weight. Four pounds of berries yield about one pound of wax. Constituents : There has been found in the bark of stem and root volatile oil, starch, lignin, gum, albumen, extractive, tannic and gallic acids, acrid and astringent resins, a red colouring substance, and an acid resembling saponin. The wax (Myrtle Wax) consists of glycerides of stearic, palmitic and
myristic acids, and a small quantity of oleaic acid. The powder is strongly sternutatory and excites coughing. Water in which the wax has been 'tried,' when boiled to an extract, is regarded as a certain cure for dysentery, and the wax itself, being astringent and slightly narcotic, is valuable in severe dysentery and internal ulcerations. Dosages : Of powder, 20 to 30 grains. Of decoction, 1 to 2 fluid ounces. Of alcoholic extract, or Myricin, 5 grains. Other Species : MURICA GALE, SWEET GALE, ENGLISEI BOGMYRTLE, or DUTCH MYRTLE, the badge of the Campbells. The leaves of this species have been used in France as an emmenagogue and abortifacient, being formerly official under the name of Herba Myrti Rabantini, and containing a poisonous, volatile oil. The plant is bitter and astringent, and has been employed in the northern counties as a substitute for hops, and also mingled with bark for tanning, and dyeing wool yellow. The dried berries are put in broth and used as spices. Formerly it was much used in cottage practice, its properties being similar to those of M. cerifera. It is covered with a golden, aromatic dust, and is thus used to drive away insects. The leaves are infused like tea, especially in China, as a stomachic and cordial. See GALE (SWEET). M. nagi. A glucoside, Myricitrin, resembling quercitrin, has been separated from the yellow colouring matter, or myricetin. M. cordifolia, of the Cape of Good Hope, yields a wax which is said to be eaten by Hottentots. M. Pensylvanica has roots with emetic properties. A Brazilian species yields a waxy-resinous product called Tabocas combicurdo, which is used as a 'pick-me-up.' BAYBERRY is a synonym for the Wild Cinnamon or Pimenta acris of the West Indies and South America, which yields Bay Rum and oil of Bayberry. Making Bayberry Candles Collected berries, sorted and rinsed Remove the berries from the branches, carefully picking them over. Place them in a sieve and shake to remove dust. Put the collected berries in a container filled with water and place in a warm area, but not over direct heat. Let soak for 12-24 hours. Then set in a cool area until the wax has formed a solid block. Remove the wax block from the container and brush off any remaining sediment. Place the wax in a clean container, again in a warm area, such as a gas oven with the pilot light on until it melts. Pour the melted wax through a strainer into a cheesecloth lined bowl. Allow to harden once more. This time consuming process gives a pure wax. If you don't have the time, simply place the berries in a pot of boiling water, reduce the heat to simmer, and remove from the heat when the wax has floated to the top. Place the pot with its contents in a cool area and allow the wax to harden. Use the following instructions for both methods. Use pure bayberry wax or augment with tallow, paraffin, or beeswax. The mold may be an antique taper mold or any can, carton or tin that will hold hot wax. Put the wick in the center by wrapping the end around a small stick and placing the stick across the top of the mold. Melt the wax over low heat in the top of a double boiler. Carefully pour the wax into the mold. Place the mold upright in a cool spot until the candle has solidified. Remove the candle from the mold when the wax is completely hardened. If a disposable mold has been used, gently tear it away from the candle. If you are using a metal mold, run hot water briefly over the outside to loosen it. For a fine finish rub the candle with a soft cloth. A pure bayberry candle will not produce a light as bright as that of beeswax. Tapered candles may be made by dipping a long wick into a deep vessel of melted wax several times. Allow to dry between dips. The candle may be as thin or as thick as you like. Candles made from any kind of wax burn longer and better if refrigerated for several hours before use.
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Myrica
cerifera