Melia azedarach – Chinaberry
This naturalized tree is quite useful as a medicinal herb.
Plants for A Future states:
Used externally in the treatment of rheumatism. An aqueous extract reduces the intensity of asthmatic attacks. (This report does not specify the part of the plant that is used.) The leaf juice is anthelmintic, antilithic, diuretic and emmenagogue. A decoction is astringent and stomachic. The leaves are harvested during the growing season and can be used fresh or dried. The flowers and leaves are applied as a poultice in the treatment of neuralgia and nervous headache. The stem bark is anthelmintic, astringent and bitter tonic. It is used as a tonic in India. It can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried. The fruit is antiseptic and febrifuge. The pulp is used as a vermifuge. The fruit is harvested in the autumn when it is fully ripe and can be used fresh or dried. The seed is antirheumatic. It is used externally. The root bark is emetic, emmenagogue, purgative and vermifuge. It is highly effective against ringworm and other parasitic skin diseases. It can be harvested at any time of the year and is used fresh or dried. A gum that exudes from the tree is considered by some to have aphrodisiac properties. This plant should be used with caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. Excess causes diarrhoea, vomiting and symptoms of narcotic poisoning.
Wax Myrtle, Morella cerifera or Myrica cerifera
Also called Bayberry.
Mrs. Grieves writes:
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.
Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests states:
MYRICACEAE. {The Gale Tribe.)
Aromatic and sometimes astringent.
WAX MYRTLE; BAYBEEEY, (Myrica cerifera, L.) Grows abundantly in the swamps of the lower country; Newbern. Fl. May. Ell. Bot. .Med. Notes, ii, 27S; Matson's Yeg. Pract. 1118; U. S. Disp. 200; Pe. Mat. Med. and Therap, 78(5 ; Biir. Am. Med. Pot.iii, 32 ; Am. Journal Med. Sei. ii, 313; Bergii, Mat. Med. ii, 541 ; Nicholson's Journal, iv, 187 ; Kalnvs Travels, i, 120 ; Dana in Silliman's Journal 1; Thacher's U. S. Disp. 288; Mor. ami de L. Diet, de M. Med. iv, 531; Pe Cand. Kssai, 772; Pind. Nat. Syst. Bot. 180. The root is a powerful astringent, and a decoction is employed in diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhage from the uterus, in dropsies which succeed fevers, and as a gargle in sore throat. It is also given to some extent by the vegetable practitioners. Griffith states (Med. Bot. 583) that the bark of the root is also stimulant and acrid, and in doses of a drachm causes a sensation of heat in the stomach followed by vomiting and sometimes diuresis. The powder is an active errhine,, and the leaves have some celebrity in domestic practice, as being anti- spasmodic, anti-scorbutic and astringent. Dr. Dana found the powdered root powerfully sternutatory, Bigelow says that the bark and leaves contain gallic acid, tannin, resin and a small quantity of mucilage. The berries afford a large amount of wax, which rises to the surface when they are boiled, not re- markable for adhesiveness or unetuosity. Dr. Bostock considers it a tixed, vegetable oil, rendered concrete by oxygen; and by the experiments of Dr. Dana, it constitutes one-third of the whole berry. It is employed for candles, emitting a fragrant odor, and it also forms the basis of a tine soap. It appears to possess some astringent and slightly narcotic properties, and has been administered by Dr. Fahnestock in an epidemic of typhoid dysentery. He gave it in doses of one to two drachms, and he is of opinion that its active principle resides in the green coloring matter. Am. Journal Med. Sci. ii, 313. Eatinesque states that a tincture of the berries, with heracleum, is beneficial in flatulent colic.
The Thomsonian System of Medicine states of Bayberry:
BAYBERRY. Myrica Cerifera. This is a species of the myrtle, from which wax is obtained from the berries, and grows common in many parts of this country. It is a shrub growing from two to four feet high, and is easily known by the berries which it produces annually, containing wax in abundance. These grow on the branches close to them similar to the juniper. The leaves are of a deep green. The bark of the roots is what is used for medicine, and should be collected in the spring, before it puts forth its leaves, or in the fall, after done growing, as then the sap is in the roots ; this should be attended to in gathering all kinds of medicinal roots; but those things that the tops are used should be collected in the summer when nearly full grown, as then the sap is on the top. The roots should be dug and cleaned from the dirt, and pounded with a mallet or club, when the bark is easily separated from the stalk, and may be obtained with little trouble. It should be dried in a chamber or loft, where it is not exposed to the weather; and, when perfectly dry, should be ground or pounded to a fine powder. It is an excellent medicine, either taken by itself or compounded with other articles ; and is the best thing for canker of any article to be found. In scrofulous diarrhoea and chronic cholera in- fantum and goitre it is one of the best agents. its influence on the uterus is very positive. In prolapsus uteri it is splendid, and in parturition it cannot be well excelled. It induces better contractions and when given near the end of the confinement it will anticipate flooding, and should there be excessive lochia it will assist in stopping the excess. Its in- fluence is also good in excessive menstruation or hemorrhages from other parts of the body and in female weakness. In hot infusion it gradually arouses the circulation and favors an outward flow of blood. A good free perspiration will follow, which will be more abundant if Zingiber be added. When the stomach is very foul, it will frequently operate as an emetic. In connection with lobelia it is used in producing emesis, which will be very valuable in the treatment of the conditions found in mercurial cachexia, scrofula and secondary syphilis. For emetic purposes it should be given with lobelia in hot infusion and is excellent to rid the system of impurities. The dose of the Fluid Ext. or Tincture is from one half to one drachm.
King's American Dispensatory, 1898 tells us:
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage.—Bayberry bark is astringent and stimulant, and as such is valuable in debilitated conditions of the mucous membranes; in drachm doses, it is apt to occasion emesis. It was largely employed by the followers of Samuel Thomson, in catarrhal states of the alimentary tract. The bark has been successfully employed in scrofula, jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, aphthae, and other diseases where astringent stimulants were indicated. Specific myrica, in small doses (2 to 5 drops) will be found a good stimulant to the vegetative system of nerves, aiding the processes of digestion, blood making, and nutrition. In larger doses (5 to 20 drops) it is a decided gastric stimulant. In small doses it has been found advantageous in chronic gastritis, chronic catarrhal diarrhoea, muco-enteritis, and in dysentery having a typhoid character. It is said to restore arrested lochial discharges. Cases calling for myrica show feeble venous action, while the pulse is full and oppressed. It is not adapted to acute disorders of the alimentary tract, as a rule. A weak infusion used as an injection, is an admirable remedy in amenorrhoea and atonic leucorrhoea. Use the specific medicine or tincture internally also. In scarlatina in the latter stages, when the tissues are swollen and enfeebled, it may be used both for its antiseptic and stimulating effects (Locke).
The powdered bark, combined with bloodroot, forms an excellent application to indolent ulcers, and has likewise been employed as a snuff for the cure of some forms of nasal polypus. In the form of poultice, with elm or alone, it is a valuable application to scrofulous tumors or ulcers. The decoction is beneficial as a gargle in sore mouth and throat, and is of service in injection, in leucorrhoea and fistula, and also as a wash for ulcers, tinea capitis, etc. It also forms an excellent gum wash for tender, spongy, and bleeding gums. The leaves are reputed astringent, and useful in scurvy and spasmodic affections. Probably the M. pennsylvanica, M. carolinensis, and M. Gale, possess similar properties. Bayberry or myrtle wax, has been used by Dr. Fahnestock in epidemic dysentery with typhoid symptoms, with considerable success; it possesses mild astringent, with some narcotic properties. It is also used in the form of plaster, as an application to scrofulous and other ulcers. Dose of the powdered bark, from 20 to 30 grains; of the wax, 1 drachm; of the decoction of the leaves or bark, from 2 to 4 fluid ounces; specific myrica, 2 to 20 drops. Bayberry bark was a constituent of "Thomson's Composition Powder or No. 6."
Specific Indications and Uses.—Profuse mucous flows; catarrhal states of the gastro-intestinal tract; atonic diarrhoea, typhoid dysentery, atony of the cutaneous circulation; full oppressed pulse. Locally and internally—sore mouth; spongy, flabby, bleeding gums; sore throat of scarlet fever when enfeebled and swollen.
Plants for A Future States:
Wax myrtle is a popular herbal remedy in North America where it is employed to increase the circulation, stimulate perspiration and keep bacterial infections in check. The plant should not be used during pregnancy. The root bark is antibacterial, astringent, emetic (in large doses), sternutatory, stimulant and tonic. It is harvested in the autumn, thoroughly dried then powdered and kept in a dark place in an airtight container. It is used internally in the treatment of diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, jaundice, fevers, colds, influenza, catarrh, excessive menstruation, vaginal discharge etc. Externally, it is applied to indolent ulcers, sore throats, spongy gums, sores, itching skin conditions, dandruff etc. The wax is astringent and slightly narcotic. It is regarded as a sure cure for dysentery and is also used to treat internal ulcers. A tea made from the leaves is used in the treatment of fevers and externally as a wash for itchy skin.
The Rodale Herb Book states:
The bark and roots are used medicinally as an astringent, tonic and stimulant. leaves are aromatic and stimulant. A tea is used as an excellent gargle for sore throats, catarrh and jaundice. The bark is used for diarrhea and dysentery, a decoction is made and injected as an enema. This is also used as a wash or poultice for sores, boils and carbuncles, or the powdered bark may be directly applied to wounds… The root bark is the official medicinal part.
Sacred and Healing Herbal Beers tells us about Gruit, the highly inebriating beer made, in part, with Myrica… by the way, Ledum palustre is not the herb we normally call rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, a member of the salvia family); this “wild rosemary” is relative to American Labrader Tea, a relative of the Myrica. It is interesting to note that Gruit was the primary beer consumed for around 700 years in Europe, until Hops was introduced, in large part due to the writings of Saint Hildegard von Bingen and her influence. The use of hops in beer though, became law in many nations due to political and economic interests… as well as a likely reasonable social concerns:
Gruit was, primarily, a combination of three mild to moderately narcotic herbs: sweet gale (Myrica gale), also called bog myrtle, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) and wild rosemary (Ledum palustre), also called marsh rosemary. Gruit varied somewhat, each gruit producer adding additional herbs to produce unique tastes, flavors and effects. … It is important to keep in mind the properties of gruit ale; it is highly intoxicating – narcotic, aphrodisiacal and psychotropic when consumed in sufficient quantity.
This article is an excerpt from The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide: by Judson Carroll
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Disclaimer
The information on this site is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing on this site has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I am not a doctor. The US government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and their is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm just a guy who studies herbs. I am not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write is accurate or true! I can tell you what herbs have "traditionally been used for." I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use any herb I, or anyone else, mentions you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, sensitivity or underlying condition that no one else shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to read my blog you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices and not to blame me for anything, ever.
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