|
|
(Myrica cerifera)
|
Bayberry
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.
Modern uses: Astringent and stimulant.
In large doses emetic. It is useful in diarrhoea, jaundice, scrofula,
etc. Externally, the powdered bark is used as a stimulant to indolent
ulcers, though in poultices it should be combined with elm. The
decoction is good as a gargle and injection in chronic inflammation
of the throat, leucorrhoea, uterine haemorrhage, etc. It is an excellent
wash for the gums.
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.
Other Names: Wax Myrtle. Myrica. Candle Berry. Arbre à
suif. Myricae Cortex. Tallow Shrub. Wachsgagle.
________________________________________________________________ |
