Bayberry / Myrica Esculenta

Benefits of Bayberry, Medicinal Uses, and Side Effects

In Ayurveda, various herbs will keep us healthy and disease-free. Bayberry is one of them which is used in the treatment of paralysis, Joint pain, intestinal warm infestation, swelling, diarrhea, diabetes mellitus, etc. It also helps to stimulate the circulatory system and sometimes it is also used as a gargle for a sore throat, healer for wounds and skin ulcers. It is also known as box myrtle.

—–Bayberry shloka—–

This shloka means that synonyms of bayberry are kataphala, somavalaka, Maitreya, kumbhika, shriparnika, kumudika, bhadra, and bhadravati. It is of astringent, bitter, and pungent taste, balances Vata and Kapha dosha, treats fever, asthma, diabetes mellitus, hemorrhoids, cough, oral disorders, and nausea.

(Reference- Bhavaprakasha nighantu- Haritkyadi varga, page no 97 and shloka no. 180-181)

Botanical name- Myrica esculenta

Family- Myricaceae

Bayberry Names in different languages

Hindi name- Kayaphal

English name- Sweet gale, Kaphal, Box myrtle, Bayberry, Candleberry

Gujarati name- Kayaphal
Marathi name- Kayaphal
Bengali name- Kayachal
Kannada name- Kirishivani
Telugu name- kaidarayamu
Malayalam name- Maruth
Tamil name- Marudam

Synonyms in the Sanskrit language

Mahavalkala- the bark of this tree has thick bark.
Sriparni, Kumbha, Rohini, Kandula, Rama senaka, Kumuda, Soma valka, Sriparni, Mahakumba
Other synonyms of bayberry are Kumbha, Mahakaccha, Kumbheeka, Prachetasi, Soma padapa

Morphological characteristics

It is a shrub or small-sized tree up to the height of 3 to 8 feet. Its bark is cracked, thick, and of pale brown color. The branches of this tree are covered with small hair-like structures. Leaves are round to oval in shape, have vein-like structures, and is 3 to 6 inch long. Its flowers are red in color, small in size, and found in clusters. Fruits are round in shape, small, sweet, and sour in taste, and are reddish colored when ripe. Its flowers are seen in winter and fruits are seen in summer.

It is cultivated all over the globe and mainly grows in the sand dunes near the ocean. It is found in southern and eastern North America.

Categorization according to classical books

According to Acharya Charaka

Vedanasthapana – herbs that help to relieve pain.

Shukra Sodhana – a group of herbs that cleanses semen.

Sandhaniya – a group of herbs that heals wounds and fractures.

According to Acharya Sushruta

Lodhradi and Surasadi

According to Acharya vagbhatta

Surasadi gana
Dhanvantai Nighantu- Guduchaydi varga
Raja Nighantu- Prabadradi varga
Kaiyydeva Nighantu- Oushadhi varga
Shodala Nighantu- Guduchyadi varga
Bhavaprakasha nighantu- Haritkyadi varga

Chemical constituents present in it

Its stem bark contains myricanol and aproanthocyanidin. The root bark contains beta-sitosterol, myricadiol, and taraxerol.

Medicinal properties of Bayberry

Rasa (Taste) – Kashaya (Astringent), Katu (Pungent) and Tikta (Bitter)

Guna (Qualities) – Laghu (Light) and Teekshna (Piercing)

Vipaka- (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion)- Katu (Pungent)

Veerya (Potency) – Ushna (Hot)

Karma (Actions) – Kaphavata shamaka (Balances kapha and vata dosha)

Medicinal uses as per Ayurveda

Mukharoga – helps to treat oral disorders
Dahashamaka– relieves the burning sensation in gastritis, neuropathy, burning sensation in eyes, etc.
Rochishnu – increases appetite and improves taste
Kasa – relieves cough and cold
Aruchi – Treats anorexia
Jwarahara– helps to treat fever
Mehahara – treats diabetes mellitus and various urinary tract disorders
Gulma – treats abdominal tumors
Arsha – treats piles
Shwashara- works in asthma and chronic respiratory disorders
Agnimandya – increases digestion strength
Grahanihara– Treats IBS, altering diarrhea as well as constipation
Pandu – treats anemia
Hrallasa – works in nausea

Therapeutic properties of Bayberry

Antibacterial
Analgesic
Antimicrobial
Antipyretic
Anti-inflammatory
Anticonvulsant
Antispasmodic
Digestive
Astringent
Wound healer

Medicinal uses of Bayberry

Skin health- In skin-related disorders, bayberry works as a great wound healer, which heals the non-healing wounds in a short time. Being a natural antioxidant, it protects the skin from harmful free radicals are the bayberry benefits for the skin. This herb also works as a great antiseptic that kills or stops the growth of microbes on the skin.

Inflammation and pain- Bayberry works as an anti-inflammatory by blocking the effect of enzymes that causes inflammation in case of injury. As a natural analgesic, it also reduces pain by blocking the pain signals towards the brain. These are also called pain killers or pain relievers.

Cough and cold- In cough and cold, bayberry works as a natural cough suppressant by blocking the cough reflex. Being an expectorant, it expels out the thin mucus from the airways that cause obstruction. As an immuno-modulator, it provides strength to the body to fight against various kinds of viruses and bacteria. It keeps the throat wet and prevents sudden cough

Bayberry root benefits- Bayberry root helps to treat cold, nausea, diarrhea, skin wounds, etc.

Side- effect of bayberry

Bayberry is considered unsafe if it is taken in over dosage as it can cause vomiting, nausea, and liver damage.

FAQ Related to Bayberry

Is bayberry good for skin?

Yes, Bayberry is good for skin as it works as antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, good in healing, and works in acne and swelling.

Can we use bayberry Leaves?

Yes, you can use Bayberry leaves because they are good for oily skin and keep the skin healthy and free from wrinkles, blemishes, and pimples.

Can we eat bayberry Fruits?

Yes, you can eat bayberry fruits because it supports the respiratory as well as the digestive system and also works as a great anti-inflammatory.

Part used- Bark and Fruit

Dosage of Bayberry- 3 to 5 grams (Bark powder)

10 to 25 ml (Fruit juice)

Conclusion

From this article, it is concluded that Bayberry shows very good results in skin-related disorders. It also Shows several medicinal properties like wound healer, anti-inflammatory, digestive, etc. But it’s overdosage may cause vomiting, nausea, and even liver damage. So use it with precaution and consult your doctor before using it.

Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Bayberry‘s benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume this on the basis of this information. Before taking it as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.

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