Herbs & Botanicals · Traditional drying (astringent) herb
Bayberry (Wax Myrtle)
Myrica cerifera · also called Wax myrtle, southern bayberry, candleberry
Bayberry, or wax myrtle, is a shrub whose root bark has been used for diarrhea, colds, sore throats and wounds. No study in people was found for any of these uses. Two consumer references call it possibly unsafe by mouth, with liver damage and higher blood pressure among the concerns. Avoid it if you have high blood pressure, heart, kidney or liver disease, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Bayberry (Wax Myrtle)
Bayberry is a traditional drying herb with no human trials. The lab work is early, and the safety cautions are more important than any claimed benefit.
What it is
Bayberry, also called wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera), is a shrub of the eastern and southern United States. Its root bark is the traditional medicine. The waxy berries are used for candles and fragrance.
Do not mix it up with Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra, a fruit), bay leaf (Laurus nobilis, a kitchen herb) or barberry (Berberis). They are different plants.
How it may work
The tannins in the bark dry and tighten tissue. That is the traditional reason for using it on loose stools, wet throats and wounds. The bark also holds flavonoids such as myricitrin, and compounds called myricanol, myricanone, betulin and ursolic acid.
In dishes, some of these compounds killed cancer cells and soaked up free radicals. None of this has been shown to help in people.
What the research shows
We found no human trial for any use. The research is in cells, a test tube and a roundworm. Reviews of the wider Myrica and Morella group say many compounds are still untested.
A rat study showed lowered blood pressure with Chinese bayberry (a different species). It should not be applied to wax myrtle, which is listed among herbs that may raise blood pressure.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Root bark for diarrhea, head colds, nausea and sore-throat gargles
- Skin ulcers and wounds (ointment) and vaginal discharge (douche)
- Berry wax for candles
Studied for research
- Diarrhea, colds and sore throat, insufficient
- Wounds and skin ulcers, insufficient
- Cancer-cell effects of bark compounds (cells only), insufficient
- Antioxidant activity (test tube), insufficient
- Blood pressure (a caution, not a benefit), insufficient
Main compounds
- Tannins (drying; linked to sodium and fluid retention)
- Myricitrin (PubChem CID 5281673) and other flavonoids
- Myricanol, myricanone, betulin and ursolic acid (lab studies only)
Common forms
- Root bark powder
- Capsules
- Tea or decoction
- Tincture
Research links: RxList: Bayberry (consumer reference) · Vital.ly: Bayberry monograph (TRC) · Jalili 2013: herbal products that may contribute to hypertension (PubMed) · Zhang 2016: compounds from Myrica cerifera bark (PubMed) · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
The plant and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Myrica cerifera Bigelow (GBIF ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 97); Morella cerifera (L.) Small is also listed as ACCEPTED in GBIF
- Naming authority
- Bigelow (Myrica); (L.) Small (Morella)
- Common names
- Bayberry (English); Wax myrtle (English); Southern bayberry (English); Candleberry (English)
- Botanical family
- Myricaceae (bayberry family)
- Classification
- Plantae > Not pulled > Not pulled > Fagales > Myricaceae > Myrica (Morella) > Myrica cerifera
- Native range
- Texas and the eastern United States, per one consumer reference (RxList). Not independently checked.
- Habitat
- Not covered in the sources read.
- What the plant looks like
- Roots: The root bark is the traditional medicinal part.; Stems: Shrub or small tree (general knowledge; not from a source read).; Leaves: Not described in sources read.; Flowers: Not described in sources read.; Fruit: Berries are the source of the wax used in candles and fragrance (RxList).; Seeds: Not described in sources read.; Cultivation: Not covered in the sources read.
- Harvest and processing
- Not covered in the sources read.
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra); Note: Same family but a different species; edible fruit (yangmei); the rat blood-pressure study used this species. GBIF key 8216229.; Name: Northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica); Note: Separate accepted species in GBIF (key 3169001); one consumer reference groups it under bayberry names.; Name: Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis); Note: Kitchen herb in the laurel family (Lauraceae), not Myricaceae. GBIF key 3034015.; Name: Barberry (Berberis); Note: A different plant, often confused by name.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not covered in the sources read.
Traditional use and history history, not clinical proof
| Tradition or era | Documented use | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional North American herbal medicine; Lumbee people | Root bark for head colds, diarrhea, nausea, colitis, sore-throat gargles, vaginal douches and skin ulcers; the 2022 lab paper says the Lumbee tribe used the plant to treat illness. The wax from berries is used for candles. | s-rxlist-bayberry |
| Chinese and Japanese folk medicine (related Myrica and Morella species) | Diarrhea, digestive problems, headache, burns and skin diseases (for the genus; not specifically M. cerifera). | p26225964 |
Traditional use shows how a plant was used. It does not show that a supplement works or is safe today.
What is inside, and how it may work
What the plant contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myricitrin PubChem 5281673 | Flavone glycoside | Root bark | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing in lab and animal work (review). 9 15 | Lab and animal |
| Myricanol PubChem 161779 | Diarylheptanoid | Bark | Killed cancer cell lines and triggered cell death in leukemia cells; strong radical-scavenging in a test tube. 8 15 | In vitro |
| Myricanone PubChem 161748 | Diarylheptanoid | Bark | Caused cell death in liver-cancer cells; no or insignificant toxicity to normal liver cells and mice in one study. 5 15 | In vitro and mouse |
| Betulin and ursolic acid PubChem 72326 | Triterpenoids | Bark | Killed leukemia, lung and breast cancer cell lines in a dish. 8 15 | In vitro |
| Tannins | Polyphenols (astringent) | Not stated | Described as drying on the skin and as the cause of sodium and fluid retention (consumer references). The specific tannins and amounts were not found. 10 11 | Consumer reference statement |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caspase-dependent cell death | Caspases 3, 8 and 9 | Myricanol activated these enzymes in HL60 leukemia cells. 8 | Lab |
| Oxidative stress and mitochondria | ROS, cytochrome c, HSP70 | Myricanone induced cell death in HepG2 cells through reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial changes. 5 | Lab |
| Tannin astringency and sodium retention | Not detailed | Consumer references describe a drying effect on skin and a rise in retained sodium and fluid. A mineralocorticoid-like (licorice-type) mechanism is a hypothesis; no source read shows it. 10 11 | Consumer reference statement and theory |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found for bayberry.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- A 2026 review of myricanol says its bioavailability and pharmacokinetics still need study.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Most lab findings are from single isolated compounds (myricanol, myricanone, betulin, ursolic acid, myricitrin). Root bark powder or tea contains these plus tannins and other chemicals in unknown amounts. A result for one compound does not predict what bark does in a person.
Nutritional composition
Bayberry is not a food nutrient. No vitamin or mineral role was found.
8 not enough evidence
What is Bayberry (Wax Myrtle) good for?
The studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. For bayberry itself, no use is established, and some of the research points to harm.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Diarrhea, colds, nausea and sore throat (traditional use)
Not enough evidenceBayberry root bark is a traditional remedy for diarrhea, head colds, nausea and sore throat. No trial in people was found, and the references we read say the evidence is insufficient.
3 studiesNot covered by the sources read.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human trial for any of these uses was found. RxList rates colds, diarrhea, nausea and sore throat as 'insufficient evidence to rate'.
Results
Not measured in people.
Effect sizes as reported
None available.
Why this rating
Only traditional use and consumer-reference statements. No trial, so no benefit can be claimed.
Form and dose studied
Not covered by the sources read.
Who was studied
Not tested.
Limits
No clinical data. The tannin explanation is theory. The same tannins are linked to the cautions below.
Why researchers looked
Its tannins dry and tighten tissue, which is the traditional reason for using it on loose stools and sore, wet throats.
Traditional use
Used in traditional North American herbal medicine for head colds, diarrhea, nausea, colitis and sore-throat gargles (per RxList and Vital.ly). A review of the related Myrica and Morella shrubs lists diarrhea and digestive problems as folk uses in China and Japan.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
The drying effect of tannins on tissue is described by consumer references; no study of how it acts in the gut or throat was found.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Bayberry by mouth is rated possibly unsafe in two consumer references. See the Safety tab. Swallowed bayberry is linked to nausea and vomiting, so it may worsen the very complaints it is used for.
Wounds and skin ulcers (traditional use on the skin)
Not enough evidenceBayberry has been applied to skin ulcers and wounds as a drying ointment. No study in people was found, and safety on the skin is not established.
2 studiesNot covered by the sources read.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human or animal wound-healing study of Myrica cerifera was found. RxList rates the use 'insufficient evidence'.
Results
Not measured.
Effect sizes as reported
None available.
Why this rating
Traditional use plus a described mechanism, but no test of whether wounds heal faster or safer.
Form and dose studied
Not covered by the sources read.
Who was studied
Not tested.
Limits
There are no safety data for bayberry on the skin; both consumer references call it possibly unsafe on the skin in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why researchers looked
Tannins tighten and dry the surface of skin, the traditional basis for wound use.
Traditional use
Applied as an ointment for skin ulcers and wounds, according to RxList. Reviews of related species list burns and skin diseases as folk uses.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Tannins have a drying effect on the skin (consumer reference). No wound-healing study of bayberry was found.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not enough information to know whether applying it to the skin is safe (RxList). It may irritate.
Vaginal discharge (douche, traditional use)
Not enough evidenceBayberry has been used as a douche for vaginal discharge. No study was found, and douching with herbs is not shown to be safe.
1 studiesNot covered by the sources read.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No study was found. RxList rates the use 'insufficient evidence'.
Results
Not measured.
Effect sizes as reported
None available.
Why this rating
Traditional use only.
Form and dose studied
Not covered by the sources read.
Who was studied
Not tested.
Limits
No data on safety or on effect.
Why researchers looked
The drying effect of tannins is the traditional rationale.
Traditional use
Listed among traditional uses by RxList (vaginal discharge, as a douche).
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Described astringent action only.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Both consumer references say there is not enough information to know whether using it as a douche is safe. A doctor should look at any new or lasting discharge.
Antibacterial effects (dish and worm study only)
Not enough evidenceIn one 2022 student lab study, wax myrtle extract made bacterial growth stop in a larger zone and shortened a roundworm's life. This is a dish-and-worm result, not a treatment.
1 studiesPlant part and extract type are not given in the abstract.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human or even animal-disease study. The test used Staphylococcus epidermidis and S. aureus on agar plates and the roundworm C. elegans.
Results
The extract significantly increased the zone of inhibition for both Staphylococcus species and significantly shortened roundworm lifespan.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers in the abstract.
Why this rating
A single undergraduate lab study with no numbers in the abstract. Activity in a dish rarely carries over to people.
Form and dose studied
Plant part and extract type are not given in the abstract.
Who was studied
Bacteria and roundworms only.
Limits
Single small lab study; part and extract unknown; nothing in people.
Why researchers looked
Plant chemicals are screened for activity against antibiotic-resistant bacteria and parasites.
Traditional use
The study cites use of the plant by the Lumbee people for illness.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Two compounds were isolated from the extract; how they act was not shown in the abstract.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
An extract that harms a worm in a dish may also harm human cells; no safety test was done.
Cancer-cell effects of bark compounds (cell studies only)
Not enough evidenceCompounds from the bark killed cancer cells in dishes. This has not been tested in people, and one consumer source says bayberry itself contains a cancer-causing chemical.
3 studiesIsolated compounds, not a bark product.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study. The work used cultured cells (and mice for a safety check of myricanone).
Results
Betulin, ursolic acid and myricanol killed leukemia, lung and breast cancer cell lines at IC50 3.1 to 24.2 micromolar. Myricanone killed HepG2 liver-cancer cells and had no or insignificant toxicity to normal liver cells and in mice.
Effect sizes as reported
IC50 3.1 to 24.2 micromolar (cell lines; from the 2016 abstract).
Why this rating
Cell-culture results only; isolated compounds are not the same as bark you swallow.
Form and dose studied
Isolated compounds, not a bark product.
Who was studied
Cell lines and mice only.
Limits
Dish concentrations may never be reached in the body; compounds tested singly. The same plant is described as containing a cancer-causing chemical in two consumer references.
Why researchers looked
Researchers screen plant compounds for anti-cancer activity.
Traditional use
A 2013 paper calls the bark a long-used liver-protecting and anti-cancer remedy in complementary medicine systems (this is the authors' statement, not a clinical finding).
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Myricanol activated cell-death enzymes (caspases) in leukemia cells; myricanone caused cell death in liver-cancer cells through oxidative stress and mitochondrial changes.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Do not treat cancer with bayberry. See the Safety tab.
Antioxidant activity (test-tube only)
Not enough evidenceSeveral bark compounds, including myricitrin, soaked up free radicals in a test-tube assay. That is a chemistry result, not a health benefit.
3 studiesIsolated compounds from bark; related species in the reviews.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human antioxidant or inflammation study was found. A 2015 review of the genus says 36 compounds were tested in the lab and 13 beat control compounds.
Results
Myricanol, myricanone, myricitrin, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid showed potent radical-scavenging (IC50 6.9 to 20.5 micromolar) in the 2016 bark study.
Effect sizes as reported
IC50 6.9 to 20.5 micromolar (test tube).
Why this rating
A test-tube assay does not show antioxidant benefit in the body.
Form and dose studied
Isolated compounds from bark; related species in the reviews.
Who was studied
No people or animals in this evidence.
Limits
Lab-only evidence; reviews cover several species, not only M. cerifera.
Why researchers looked
Antioxidant activity is often screened because oxidative stress is linked to chronic disease.
Traditional use
No traditional framing beyond general use.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Radical-scavenging in a chemical assay (DPPH).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
No safety conclusions can be drawn.
Liver protection (lab claim; opposite warning from consumer sources)
Not enough evidenceA 2013 lab paper calls the bark a liver-protecting remedy, but two consumer references list liver damage as a possible effect of swallowing bayberry. No human liver study exists.
3 studiesIsolated myricanone, not bark.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study of liver benefit or harm was found. A PubMed search for bayberry or wax myrtle with liver injury found no human case report.
Results
No toxicity to normal liver cells or mice in one compound study.
Effect sizes as reported
None.
Why this rating
The only supportive evidence is a single-compound lab study, while consumer references warn of liver damage. The two cannot be reconciled with current data.
Form and dose studied
Isolated myricanone, not bark.
Who was studied
Cells and mice.
Limits
Do not read this as proof of safety or benefit for the liver.
Why researchers looked
Researchers studied whether a bark compound could fight liver-cancer cells without harming normal liver cells.
Traditional use
The 2013 authors describe the bark as long used as a liver-protecting remedy.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Myricanone left normal liver cells (WRL-68) largely unharmed in the dish and in mice.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Treat the liver-damage warning as the thing to act on until better data exist.
Blood pressure (a caution, not a benefit)
Not enough evidenceBayberry is listed among herbs that may raise blood pressure. The only lowering result is in rats with a different species.
4 studiesNot studied.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No trial or case series measuring bayberry's effect on blood pressure was found. A 2013 review lists southern bayberry among 15 herbs that may contribute to hypertension. A 2020 rat study of Myrica rubra (Chinese bayberry, a different species) reported lowered blood pressure.
Results
Direction in people for M. cerifera: possible rise (review and consumer references). Rat study of a different species: lowered.
Effect sizes as reported
No numbers for bayberry.
Why this rating
Statements come from a review abstract and consumer references; no measurement. The rat result is a different species and should not be used for wax myrtle.
Form and dose studied
Not studied.
Who was studied
People with high blood pressure are told to avoid bayberry (consumer references).
Limits
No data on potassium either way.
Why researchers looked
Consumer references explain that tannins in bayberry can make the body keep sodium and fluid, which can raise blood pressure.
Traditional use
Not a traditional aim; this is a safety topic.
Proposed mechanism Pharmacological theory
Tannin-linked sodium and fluid retention is the proposed mechanism in consumer references; a mineralocorticoid-like action (as with licorice) is a possible explanation but was not shown in any source we read.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
People with high blood pressure, heart or kidney disease, or those taking blood-pressure drugs or diuretics should avoid it unless a doctor says otherwise.
Connections to the rest of health
How Bayberry (Wax Myrtle) connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Diarrhea, colds, nausea and sore throat (traditional use): Bayberry root bark is a traditional remedy for diarrhea, head colds, nausea and sore throat. No trial in people was found, and the references we read say the evidence is insufficient. | 10 11 7 |
| Immune Support | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Diarrhea, colds, nausea and sore throat (traditional use): Bayberry root bark is a traditional remedy for diarrhea, head colds, nausea and sore throat. No trial in people was found, and the references we read say the evidence is insufficient. | 10 11 7 |
| Healthy Skin | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Wounds and skin ulcers (traditional use on the skin): Bayberry has been applied to skin ulcers and wounds as a drying ointment. No study in people was found, and safety on the skin is not established. | 10 11 |
| Womens Wellness | Traditional use | Not enough evidence | Vaginal discharge (douche, traditional use): Bayberry has been used as a douche for vaginal discharge. No study was found, and douching with herbs is not shown to be safe. | 10 |
| Immune Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Antibacterial effects (dish and worm study only): In one 2022 student lab study, wax myrtle extract made bacterial growth stop in a larger zone and shortened a roundworm's life. This is a dish-and-worm result, not a treatment. | 1 |
| Longevity | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Cancer-cell effects of bark compounds (cell studies only): Compounds from the bark killed cancer cells in dishes. This has not been tested in people, and one consumer source says bayberry itself contains a cancer-causing chemical. | 8 5 6 |
| Inflammation Balance | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Antioxidant activity (test-tube only): Several bark compounds, including myricitrin, soaked up free radicals in a test-tube assay. That is a chemistry result, not a health benefit. | 8 7 9 |
| Healthy Aging | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Antioxidant activity (test-tube only): Several bark compounds, including myricitrin, soaked up free radicals in a test-tube assay. That is a chemistry result, not a health benefit. | 8 7 9 |
| Liver Support | Preliminary mechanism | Not enough evidence | Liver protection (lab claim; opposite warning from consumer sources): A 2013 lab paper calls the bark a liver-protecting remedy, but two consumer references list liver damage as a possible effect of swallowing bayberry. No human liver study exists. | 5 10 11 |
| Blood Pressure Support | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | Blood pressure (a caution, not a benefit): Bayberry is listed among herbs that may raise blood pressure. The only lowering result is in rats with a different species. | 3 4 10 11 |
| Heart Health | Adverse effect or risk | Not enough evidence | Blood pressure (a caution, not a benefit): Bayberry is listed among herbs that may raise blood pressure. The only lowering result is in rats with a different species. | 3 4 10 11 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Diarrhea, colds, nausea and sore throat (traditional use) | 10 11 7 |
| Respiratory System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Diarrhea, colds, nausea and sore throat (traditional use) | 10 11 7 |
| Integumentary System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Wounds and skin ulcers (traditional use on the skin) | 10 11 |
| Reproductive System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Vaginal discharge (douche, traditional use) | 10 |
| Immune System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Antibacterial effects (dish and worm study only) Studied for: Cancer-cell effects of bark compounds (cell studies only) | 1 8 5 6 7 9 |
| Hepatic System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Liver protection (lab claim; opposite warning from consumer sources) | 5 10 11 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood pressure (a caution, not a benefit) | 3 4 10 11 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Adverse effect or risk | Authoritative guidance | Consumer references say avoid in high blood pressure; a 2013 review lists southern bayberry among herbs that may raise it. Consumer references advise people with high blood pressure to avoid it. Preparation or compound: Bayberry root bark (tannins) |
10 11 3 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone of inhibition (bacteria on a plate) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: raised. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Blood pressure (rats given Myrica rubra extract) | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 4 3 |
K. Biological pathways
L. Active compounds
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myricitrin | Biological association | Lab and animal | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-reducing in lab and animal work (review). Preparation or compound: Root bark |
9 15 |
| Myricanol | Biological association | In vitro | Killed cancer cell lines and triggered cell death in leukemia cells; strong radical-scavenging in a test tube. Preparation or compound: Bark |
8 15 |
| Myricanone | Biological association | In vitro and mouse | Caused cell death in liver-cancer cells; no or insignificant toxicity to normal liver cells and mice in one study. Preparation or compound: Bark |
5 15 |
| Betulin and ursolic acid | Biological association | In vitro | Killed leukemia, lung and breast cancer cell lines in a dish. Preparation or compound: Bark |
8 15 |
| Tannins | Biological association | Consumer reference statement | Described as drying on the skin and as the cause of sodium and fluid retention (consumer references). The specific tannins and amounts were not found. Preparation or compound: Not stated |
10 11 |
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 25, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Bayberry (Wax Myrtle). Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing bayberry summary, re-read the two consumer references it cites, and checked every PubMed item against its record and abstract.
Study library: every study we checked 15
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edwards 2022 Myrica cerifera, a Medicinal Plant of the Lumbee Tribe, has Antibacterial and Nematicidal Properties American Journal of Undergraduate Research · PMID 36159598 · DOI |
Animal and lab in-vitro |
Staphylococcus bacteria on agar plates and the roundworm C. elegans | Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) plant extract unspecified Not stated in the abstract Not stated in the abstract · vs Not stated in the abstract |
The extract significantly decreased roundworm lifespan and increased the zone of inhibition for Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. Two compounds were isolated. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Zone of bacterial inhibition; roundworm lifespan Limitations: Undergraduate lab study; plant part and extract type not given in the abstract; no numbers in the abstract; nothing tested in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared Read: abstract |
| He 2026 Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Myricanol Molecules · PMID 42280089 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Review of lab and animal studies of myricanol | Myricanol (the review centres on Myrica rubra bark) bark n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The review says myricanol shows antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects in lab and mouse work, and that its bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and safety still need study. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant, anticancer, metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects Limitations: Single compound; focuses on Myrica rubra (a different species) bark. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared Read: abstract |
| Jalili 2013 Herbal products that may contribute to hypertension Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · PMID 23271526 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Literature review of herbal products and high blood pressure (29 articles included plus four books) | Herbal products; southern bayberry is one of 15 listed unspecified n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Southern bayberry is on the list of herbal products that may cause hypertension (with licorice, ephedra, St. John's wort and others). The abstract does not give details for bayberry. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Which herbs may cause or worsen high blood pressure Limitations: Abstract only; no bayberry-specific data, mechanism or case count in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| Li 2020 LC-MS analysis of Myrica rubra extract and its hypotensive effects via the inhibition of GLUT 1 and activation of the NO/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway RSC Advances · PMID 35498305 · DOI |
Animal research animal |
Spontaneously hypertensive rats | Ethanol extract of Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra, a different species from Myrica cerifera) unspecified 2 g/kg Not stated in the abstract · vs Not stated in the abstract |
In rats, 2 g/kg of the extract lowered high blood pressure and the effect persisted after treatment stopped. The authors suggest protection of blood vessel structure. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood pressure Limitations: Different species (Myrica rubra); rats only. It does not show what Myrica cerifera root bark does to blood pressure in people (consumer and review sources suggest a rise). Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared Read: abstract |
| Paul 2013 Anticancer potential of myricanone, a major bioactive component of Myrica cerifera: novel signaling cascade for accomplishing apoptosis Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies · PMID 23972241 · DOI |
Animal and lab in-vitro |
HepG2 human liver cancer cells, WRL-68 normal liver cells, and mice | Myricanone (isolated from Myrica cerifera bark) bark Not stated in the abstract Not stated in the abstract · vs Not stated in the abstract |
Myricanone caused cell death in HepG2 liver cancer cells through reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial changes. It had no or insignificant toxic effects on normal liver cells in the dish and in mice. The authors call the bark a long-used liver-protecting and anti-cancer remedy in complementary medicine systems. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cancer-cell death; effect on normal liver cells and mice Limitations: One isolated compound, not the whole bark; cells and mice only; the authors' liver-protection framing is not backed by a human study. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| Rosa 2020 Phytochemicals with Added Value from Morella and Myrica Species Molecules · PMID 33371425 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Review of Morella and Myrica species (several species) | Compounds from Morella and Myrica species various n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The review says compounds from these shrubs (myricanol, myricitrin, quercitrin and betulin the most promising) show anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-obesity and organ-protective activity in vitro and in vivo. Many isolated compounds have not been tested. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Traditional uses and lab or animal activities of isolated compounds Limitations: Narrative review of lab and animal work across many species, not of M. cerifera in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared Read: abstract |
| Silva 2015 Recent Breakthroughs in the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Morella and Myrica Species International Journal of Molecular Sciences · PMID 26225964 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Review of Morella and Myrica species | Compounds from Morella and Myrica species various n/a n/a · vs n/a |
About 36 compounds from these genera were tested for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity; 13 beat the positive controls used. The traditional uses it lists are diarrhea, digestive problems, headache, burns and skin diseases (in Chinese and Japanese folk medicine). Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of isolated compounds Limitations: Narrative review of lab tests; says nothing about benefit in people. Funding and conflicts: No conflicts declared Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2016 Biological Activities of Triterpenoids and Phenolic Compounds from Myrica cerifera Bark Chemistry & Biodiversity · PMID 27492128 · DOI |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
Human cancer cell lines (HL60 leukemia, A549 lung, SK-BR-3 breast) and mouse B16 melanoma cells | Compounds isolated from hexane and methanol extracts of Myrica cerifera bark bark Not stated in the abstract Not stated in the abstract · vs Not stated in the abstract |
Betulin, ursolic acid and myricanol killed the three cancer cell lines (IC50 3.1 to 24.2 micromolar). Myricanol triggered cell-death pathways in leukemia cells. Myricanol, myricanone, myricitrin, protocatechuic acid and gallic acid scavenged radicals strongly in a test-tube assay (IC50 6.9 to 20.5 micromolar). Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Cell-killing activity, melanin production, radical-scavenging in a test tube Limitations: Cell-culture and test-tube work only; concentrations reached in cells may never be reached in the body. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| Zhang 2020 Effects of Myricitrin and Relevant Molecular Mechanisms Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy · PMID 30474534 · DOI |
Narrative review review |
Review of lab and animal studies of myricitrin | Myricitrin (a flavone found in Myrica cerifera root bark and other plants) root bark (as a source) n/a n/a · vs n/a |
The review says myricitrin is abundant in the root bark of Myrica cerifera and, in lab and animal work, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive (pain-reducing) effects and protects cells from injury. Not stated in the abstract Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving activity Limitations: Reviews single-compound lab and animal work. Not a test of bayberry bark in people. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract Read: abstract |
| n/a 2026 Bayberry RxList (consumer drug reference) · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Page read 2026-10-25. Rates bayberry by mouth as possibly unsafe; lists nausea, vomiting and liver damage; says it contains a cancer-causing chemical (not named); says it is possibly unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding; says its tannins can make the body hold sodium and fluid and raise blood pressure, so people with high blood pressure should avoid it. Uses (colds, diarrhea, nausea, sore throat gargle, vaginal discharge douche, skin ulcers and wounds) are rated 'insufficient evidence'. Says tannins have a drying effect on skin. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Consumer reference, not an agency statement. It does not name the chemical or cite its evidence. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 Bayberry (TRC-labelled monograph) Vital.ly (licensed TRC Healthcare monograph; consumer reference) · Source |
Authoritative guidance n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Page read 2026-10-25. Same safety statements as RxList (possibly unsafe by mouth; nausea, vomiting, liver damage; cancer-causing chemical; possibly unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding; tannins, sodium retention and high blood pressure). It lists no known interactions with drugs, herbs or foods, which means none documented, not that none exist. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Consumer reference; no primary sources shown. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 Regulator and database checks for bayberry (not found) NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, EMA/HMPC · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Checked 2026-10-25: NCCIH bayberry page returned 404; a NCBI Bookshelf search for bayberry in LiverTox/LactMed found nothing; the EMA site search returned 401 (blocked); a PubMed search for bayberry or wax myrtle with liver injury, poisoning or low potassium found no human case report. No agency statement on bayberry was read. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Absence of a page is not proof of safety. Each source should be checked again by a person. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: summary-only |
| n/a 2026 GBIF species match: Myrica cerifera GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Myrica cerifera Bigelow: ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 97, family Myricaceae, order Fagales, key 8038589. Morella cerifera (L.) Small is also ACCEPTED (key 3168995, confidence 99) in this backbone, so the two names are listed side by side; papers use both. Morella pensylvanica (northern bayberry) is a separate ACCEPTED species (key 3169001). n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Taxonomy only. The GBIF backbone lists both genus names; which one a given source prefers varies. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 GBIF species match: Myrica rubra and Laurus nobilis GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
Myrica rubra A.Chev.: ACCEPTED, exact match, confidence 97, Myricaceae, key 8216229 (Chinese bayberry, yangmei; a different species from wax myrtle). Laurus nobilis L. (bay leaf, bay laurel): ACCEPTED, confidence 98, family Lauraceae, order Laurales, key 3034015, so bay leaf is in a different family. n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Taxonomy only. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
| n/a 2026 PubChem records: myricitrin, myricanol, myricanone, betulin, ursolic acid PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25) · Source |
Database or regulator record n/a |
n/a | n/a n/a n/a n/a · vs n/a |
CIDs returned by name search: myricitrin 5281673 (C21H20O12); myricanol 161779 (C21H26O5); myricanone 161748 (C21H24O5); betulin 72326 (C30H50O2); ursolic acid 64945 (C30H48O3). n/a Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Identity, safety statements or regulatory status Limitations: Identity records only; they say nothing about content in bayberry products. Funding and conflicts: n/a Read: full-text |
What we do not know yet
- No human trial of bayberry for any use.
- No measurement of blood pressure, sodium or potassium after bayberry in people.
- The cancer-causing chemical named in consumer references is unidentified.
- No agency statement (NCCIH, EMA/HMPC, LiverTox, LactMed) was found.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue. A person reads each one before it is added.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Other 2
Zone of inhibition (bacteria on a plate)
Raised in trials
The clear ring around a test sample on a bacteria-covered plate; a larger ring means the sample stopped more growth.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
A first, cheap lab screen for antibacterial activity.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A lab screen. It does not show the extract would treat an infection in a person.
Safety implication
None tested.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zone increased significantly for S. epidermidis and S. aureus (no values in the abstract) | Bacteria on agar plates | Wax myrtle extract |
Blood pressure (rats given Myrica rubra extract)
Lowered in trials
The pressure of blood in the arteries.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
To test whether a Chinese bayberry extract lowers high blood pressure in an animal model.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Rat result in a different species. Not evidence about Myrica cerifera in people, where the warnings point the other way.
Safety implication
Consumer references and a review list wax myrtle among herbs that may raise blood pressure.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 2 g/kg of ethanol extract lowered high blood pressure and the effect persisted after stopping (values not in the abstract) | Spontaneously hypertensive rats | Myrica rubra (Chinese bayberry) ethanol extract |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 4
- Two consumer references call bayberry by mouth possibly unsafe. RxList and a TRC-labelled Vital.ly monograph both say swallowed bayberry can cause nausea, vomiting and liver damage and contains a cancer-causing chemical. They do not name the chemical or cite a case report, and no agency statement (NCCIH, EMA, LiverTox) was found. Authoritative guidance 10 11 12
- Blood pressure, sodium and fluid. Both references say the tannins can make the body keep sodium and extra fluid, which can raise blood pressure, and that people with high blood pressure should avoid bayberry. A 2013 review also lists southern bayberry among herbs that may contribute to hypertension. No measurement in people was found. Authoritative guidance 10 11 3
- Not safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding. Both references rate bayberry possibly unsafe by mouth or on the skin in pregnancy and breastfeeding because of the cancer-causing chemical, nausea, vomiting and liver concerns. Authoritative guidance 10 11
- Name confusion. Bayberry (wax myrtle, Myrica cerifera) is not Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra, the edible yangmei fruit), not northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica), not bay leaf (Laurus nobilis, family Lauraceae) and not barberry (Berberis). Safety statements and rat blood-pressure data for one do not transfer to another. Authoritative guidance 13 14 4
Side effects 3
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea and vomiting Listed in consumer references; no case reports or frequency were found. Tannins are well known to irritate the stomach in general, but this was not shown for bayberry in the sources read. | Not established | Mild to moderate Not stated | Authoritative guidance 10 11 |
| Liver damage Listed in consumer references. No human case report or LiverTox entry was found. | Not established | Can be serious Not stated | Authoritative guidance 10 11 12 |
| Sodium and fluid retention, higher blood pressure Attributed to tannins. Low potassium is not mentioned in any source we read, but is a known effect of other herbs that cause sodium retention, so a doctor may want to check it. | Not established | Can be serious in people with heart, kidney or blood-pressure problems Not stated | Authoritative guidance 10 11 3 |
Liver
Two consumer references list liver damage as a possible effect of swallowed bayberry. We found no human case report, no LiverTox entry and no frequency. A lab paper calls the bark liver-protecting based on one isolated compound in cells and mice; this does not outweigh the warning. 10 11 5 12
How often. No frequency is available.
Monitoring. No monitoring advice was found. Stop and seek care for yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, severe stomach pain or unusual tiredness.
- .
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Bayberry (Wax Myrtle) supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 5
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood-pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers) prescription | Sodium and fluid retention from tannins could work against the medicine (theory). | Could blunt blood-pressure control. No interaction study exists. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 10 11 3 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist before use; do not use if you have high blood pressure. |
| Diuretics (water pills) and potassium-affecting medicines prescription | If bayberry causes fluid and sodium retention it could oppose diuretics; potassium effects of bayberry are unstudied (theory). | Unknown. No source read mentions potassium. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 10 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist; people with kidney or heart disease should avoid bayberry. |
| Other herbs that raise blood pressure or cause sodium retention (licorice, ephedra, St. John's wort) herb | A 2013 review lists southern bayberry with these herbs as possibly raising blood pressure. Adding effects is theory. | Unknown. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 3 | Do not stack herbs that may raise blood pressure without medical advice. |
| Liver-affecting medicines and alcohol prescription and lifestyle | Liver damage is listed as a possible effect of bayberry; combining with other liver-stressing substances could add risk (theory). | Unknown. | Pharmacological theory Very low certainty 10 11 | Ask a doctor or pharmacist. |
| Documented interactions documented | Vital.ly's monograph lists no known interactions with drugs, herbs or foods. | That means none are documented, not that none exist. | Authoritative guidance Not enough evidence 11 | Treat the safety as unproven. |
Who should check first 6
| Situation | Advice | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| High blood pressure | Avoid. Both consumer references say it is especially important for people with high blood pressure to avoid bayberry. | Authoritative guidance 10 11 |
| Heart failure, kidney disease or fluid retention (swelling) | Avoid unless a doctor says otherwise. Sodium and fluid retention could be harmful (theory based on the tannin statement). | Pharmacological theory 10 11 |
| Liver disease or past herbal liver injury | Avoid. Liver damage is listed as a possible effect. | Authoritative guidance 10 11 |
| Pregnancy and breastfeeding | Avoid by mouth and on the skin. | Authoritative guidance 10 11 |
| Children | No data on children were found. Do not give bayberry to children. | Gap 12 |
| Sensitive stomach, ulcers or inflammatory bowel disease | Use caution; tannins can irritate and swallowed bayberry is linked to nausea and vomiting. | Authoritative guidance 10 11 |
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No formal toxicity assessment of bayberry bark was found. Consumer references name a cancer-causing chemical without naming it. We did not find safrole or any other specific compound named in a source we read, so we do not claim one.
Animal. The 2013 myricanone paper found no or insignificant toxicity of that single compound to normal liver cells and in mice. This says little about whole bark.
Human doses studied. None found.
High dose or long term signals. None studied.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not found in sources read. The cancer-causing chemical statement is from consumer references and was not checked against a primary source.
Toxic plant parts. Root bark is the traditional medicinal part and is the part the safety statements are about. The berries are the source of wax used for candles and fragrance. Safety of either as a swallowed product is not established.
No contamination or adulteration data for bayberry products were found. The main identity risk is the name: several unrelated plants are called bayberry or bay.
Name confusion. Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera, Myricaceae), Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra, Myricaceae), northern bayberry (Morella pensylvanica, Myricaceae), bay leaf (Laurus nobilis, Lauraceae) and barberry (Berberis) are different plants. GBIF lists both Myrica cerifera and Morella cerifera as accepted names. 13 14
Product quality. No analysis of marketed bayberry bark products was found. 12
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|
When to get medical help
- Yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, or severe stomach pain
- Swelling of the legs or face, sudden weight gain, or shortness of breath
- Severe headache, chest pain, or a very high blood pressure reading
- Repeated vomiting that does not stop
- Any use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding: stop and tell your doctor
Stop the supplement and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is bayberry?
Is bayberry the same as Chinese bayberry?
Is bayberry the same as bay leaf?
No. Bay leaf comes from Laurus nobilis, in the laurel family. Bayberry is in the Myricaceae family. They are not interchangeable.
Is bayberry the same as barberry?
No. Barberry is a Berberis plant with different compounds. The names look alike, but the plants are unrelated.
Does bayberry work for diarrhea or colds?
Can bayberry raise blood pressure?
Does bayberry affect potassium?
Can bayberry harm the liver?
Is bayberry safe in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Does bayberry contain a cancer-causing chemical?
Does bayberry interact with medicines?
No interactions are documented, which means none are proven, not that none exist. Blood-pressure medicines and diuretics are the main concern in theory. Ask a doctor or pharmacist.
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Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against PubMed records.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-25
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-25
- How we research
- We started from our existing bayberry summary, re-read the two consumer references it cites, and checked every PubMed item against its record and abstract.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown. Industry funding is flagged where an abstract states it.
Sources 15
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Edwards A, Deberry K, Mariani H, et al.. Myrica cerifera, a Medicinal Plant of the Lumbee Tribe, has Antibacterial and Nematicidal Properties. American Journal of Undergraduate Research. 2022. PMID 36159598. DOI 10.33697/ajur.2022.054. (abstract)
- He K, Li H, Sun H, et al.. Pharmacological Effects and Mechanisms of Action of Myricanol. Molecules. 2026. PMID 42280089. DOI 10.3390/molecules31111781. (abstract)
- Jalili J, Askeroglu U, Alleyne B, et al.. Herbal products that may contribute to hypertension. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 2013. PMID 23271526. DOI 10.1097/PRS.0b013e318272f1bb. (abstract)
- Li J, Wang H, Li J, et al.. LC-MS analysis of Myrica rubra extract and its hypotensive effects via the inhibition of GLUT 1 and activation of the NO/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway. RSC Advances. 2020. PMID 35498305. DOI 10.1039/c9ra05895h. (abstract)
- Paul A, Das J, Das S, et al.. Anticancer potential of myricanone, a major bioactive component of Myrica cerifera: novel signaling cascade for accomplishing apoptosis. Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies. 2013. PMID 23972241. DOI 10.1016/j.jams.2013.05.003. (abstract)
- Rosa GP, Silva BJC, Seca AML, et al.. Phytochemicals with Added Value from Morella and Myrica Species. Molecules. 2020. PMID 33371425. DOI 10.3390/molecules25246052. (abstract)
- Silva BJ, Seca AM, Barreto Mdo C, et al.. Recent Breakthroughs in the Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Morella and Myrica Species. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2015. PMID 26225964. DOI 10.3390/ijms160817160. (abstract)
- Zhang J, Yamada S, Ogihara E, et al.. Biological Activities of Triterpenoids and Phenolic Compounds from Myrica cerifera Bark. Chemistry & Biodiversity. 2016. PMID 27492128. DOI 10.1002/cbdv.201600247. (abstract)
- Zhang X, Zhang K, Wang Y, et al.. Effects of Myricitrin and Relevant Molecular Mechanisms. Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy. 2020. PMID 30474534. DOI 10.2174/1574888X14666181126103338. (abstract)
- n/a. Bayberry. RxList (consumer drug reference). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. Bayberry (TRC-labelled monograph). Vital.ly (licensed TRC Healthcare monograph; consumer reference). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. Regulator and database checks for bayberry (not found). NCCIH, LiverTox, LactMed, EMA/HMPC. 2026. (summary-only)
- n/a. GBIF species match: Myrica cerifera. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. GBIF species match: Myrica rubra and Laurus nobilis. GBIF API (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)
- n/a. PubChem records: myricitrin, myricanol, myricanone, betulin, ursolic acid. PubChem PUG REST (checked 2026-10-25). 2026. (full-text)