Bayberry Benefits - Uses and Side Effects of Bayberry
Bayberry contains tannins, triterpenes, myricadiol, taraxerol, taraxerone, and flavonoid glycoside myricitrin. Tannins give bayberry its astringent properties. Myricadiol may have mineralocorticoid activity, myricitrin may stimulate the flow of bile, and the dried root may be antipyretic. Bayberry is available as capsules, liquid extract, powder, and tea.
Benefits And Uses of Bayberry
Bayberry is used as a tea to treat diarrheam and as a gargle to treat sore throats. It’s also used internally for coughs and colds and for its antipyretic and circulatory stimulant properties. Bayberry is also used topically for its astringent properties.
Administration
- Liquid extract 0:1) in 45% alcohol: 0.6 to 2 ml or 10 to 90 gtt by mouth three times a day .
- Powdered bark: 600 mg to 2 g by mouth three times a day by infusion or decoction.
Side Effects of Bayberry
Adverse effects associated with the use of bayberry may include sneezing, cough, stomach upset, and vomiting. Bayberry may cause additive effects when used in conjunction with antihypertensives and corticosteroids. It may interfere with the intended therapeutic effects of conventional drugs.
Bayberry decreases absorption of iron; patients using both should be advised to separate the administration times by 2 hours. Patients shouldn’t use bayberry internally. Pregnant patients, breast-feeding patients, and patients allergic to bayberry should avoid use. Patients taking a corticosteroid and those with hypertension, peripheral edema, heart failure, and other conditions in which mineralocorticoid use isn’t advised should also avoid use.
Clinical considerations
- Bayberry has a high tannin content and commonly causes gastric distress and liver damage after long term use.
- Long-term use of bark extract may result in malignant tumors.
- Bayberry should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place because heat, moisture, and light may cause it to break down.
- Large doses have mineralocorticoid effects such as sodium and water retention and hypertension.
- Advise female patient to avoid use if she’s pregnant or breast-feeding and to notify her health care provider if she becomes pregnant during bayberry therapy.
- Caution patient that internal use of bayberry isn’t recommended and that such use can cause stomach upset and vomiting.
- Tell patient to remind prescriber and pharmacist of any herbal or dietary supplement that he’s taking when obtaining a new prescription.
- Advise patient to consult his health care provider before using an herbal preparation because a treatment with proven efficacy may be available.
Research summary
The concepts behind the use of bayberry and the claims made regarding its effects have not yet been validated scientifically.
Tagged under:antipyretic astringent properties bayberry breast feeding corticosteroids coughs and colds gastric distress Herbs peripheral edema tannins Posted by editor on July 9th, 2007 | Filed under Herbs
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.