Page 221 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

poplar balsam buds into boiling water and breathe in Skin Conditions: For skin diseases, inflamed skin,
the cooled steam. This releases the phlegm and gives cuts, wounds, burns, bruises, acne, rashes, and other
quick relief. related skin conditions, balsam poplar is a good herbal
treatment. The resin from the buds soothes and mois-
Arthritis: Balsam poplar reduces the pain and in-
flammation of arthritic joints. For joint pain, try drink- turizes irritated skin and burns, and the tea makes a
ing inner bark tea daily and using the buds as an exter- good wash for general skin irritations. It relieves pain
nal infused oil or salve. and itching while calming the inflammation. The resin
can be used fresh or extracted with alcohol.

Harvesting and Warning: See Cottonwood

Bayberry and

Wax Myrtle,

Myrica carolinensis and

M. cerifera

Southern Bayberry/Wax Myrtle fruit is a favorite
among the local bird populations. It grows in wet bogs,
marshes, and thickets near sandy coasts They also
grow along the banks of the great lakes. The wax is
used for candle-making and provides the “bayberry
scent”. It is in the Myricaceae (Wax Myrtle) Family.
4 Northern Bayberry, Myrica Pensylvanica, Photo by Derek Ramsey - Own
Identification: The plant is an evergreen shrub, work, CC BY-SA 2.5
sometimes deciduous, growing 6 to 12 feet (1.8m to
3.65m) tall. It has long elongated leathery dark green Medicinal Use. Bayberry root bark, leaves, and
leaves with jagged edges, hanging from thin, small berries are used.
trunks. The shrubs produce either all male or all female Diarrhea, Colitis and Digestive Issues: Try
flowers. bayberry root mixed in a glass or water for bowel and
Male flowers have 3 to 5 stamens, while female flowers digestive issues. It is effective in the treatment of diar-
produce globular fruit that is coated with wax. Flowers rhea and colitis. When bayberry root is not available,
appear in the spring to early summer, and fruit follows you may use the leaves.
in the late summer and fall. Another bayberry, Myrica Dysentery and Ulcers: A concentrated extract
pensylvanica, grows further north, but the range over- made from the bayberry fruit is used (see recipe be-
laps. low).
You can easily tell the shrubs apart by examining the Common Cold and Sore Throats: Powdered
leaves. The Myrica pensylvanica leaves are greener bayberry root in a glass of cold water makes a soothing
and lack hairs on the fruit wall and papillae. gargle for sore throats and colds. Cold bayberry leaf tea
They are also rounder at the tips, while the Southern can also be used.
Bayberry come to a point. Myrica pensylvanica does The root bark is an astringent that brings blood to the
not have all of the healing properties of Myrica caro- area to speed healing.
linensis. Below Bayberry and Wax Myrtle are used in-
terchangeably and taxinomically they are often lumped Reduce Fevers: Those same qualities that bring
together under M. cerifera. blood to the surface and speed healing also dilate the
capillaries in the skin and induce sweating, cooling the
Edible Use: The berries can be eaten raw or cooked body.
and the leaves can be used for flavoring like bay leaves.

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