Bayberry's Natural Treatment
The genus name Myrica comes from the Greek prefix myri-
, meaning "very many," as in "myriad." This many-branched shrub puts forth a profusion of small blossoms, which mature into waxy gray berries (actually nutlets). Bayberry flourishes in sandy, sterile soils from eastern coastal regions and inland meadows extending from southern Canada to Virginia and parts of North Carolina.
Bayberry has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last 100 years. Mabel Baker, founder of Colonial Candle of Cape Cod (later PartyLite, a division of Blythe HomeScents, Inc.) made her mark in the early 20th century making hand dipped bayberry tapers. Unfortunately, the company no longer offers candles made from genuine bayberry wax.
The Leaves are an aromatic herb that stimulates circulation, increases perspiration and controls bacterial infection, the wax from the fruit is used for making candles and soap.The root bark contains myricitrin, as well as tannins and triterpenoids (myricadiol, taraxerol and taraxerone), while the wax contains esters of palmitic, myristic and lauric acid. Bayberry is very good for jaundice, cancer sores, itching skin, ulcers, sores, dandruff and hair loss. Apply a fomentation on the affected areas and rinse the scalp with the tea after shampooing.
If you can imagine tallow even when not burning starts to have a rank or rancid smell. Then when burning that smell is even intensified. So, people who had the means and ability to do so would find other materials to make candles out of. One of those items was Bayberry.
Bayberry, also known as Myrtle Wax or Candle Berry is a rare, expensive natural wax made from Bayberry shrubs. The wax is made by boiling berries from the shrubs. The wax then floats to the top and is collected and processed for making candles. Bayberry wax has a natural greenish color and a fresh scent to it. With a melt point of 118 degrees, this wax is very hard and brittle. Bayberry wax was used by the first wave of colonists in the American region who wanted to use something other than tallow or animal fat (tallow generally gave off a noxious smell and was also sooty).
Bayberry wax, which comes from the berries the shrub with that name is also used in candle making. How is this produced? From bees, the same wax in making hives. Bee's wax, is used for many things which are common to man; things such as candles, polishes, cosmetics (mostly make-up) crayons, flowers (artificial kind).
Making these candles consumed a lot of berries even for just one candle and required so much labor in the process. Fifteen pounds of berries are needed to make one pound of wax, which is produced by boiling the berries while constantly skimming the wax from the top, a rather tedious and difficult task. This was why these candles during the colonial times were only burned on special occasions. Now, a bayberry candle is highly prized not only for its relative rarity but also for its delicate scent, the gentle aroma adding to the festive atmosphere of the special occasion.
Bayberry wax is not just about using it for candles. There is a superstition that even comes with it. See, some say that when you burn a candle which has been made using this natural wax, you can make sure that it burns to the end. And when that happens, you will be able to experience good luck in your life plus even more money for your wallet. This belief has been known to come from the early settlers in America which has used the wax first.
There are many types of candle wax on the market today. Each has its own characteristics and performance. The use of a particular candle wax is a choice that is individual to the candle maker.
by: alena jones
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