Bayberry Wax Myrtle vs Averrhoa bilimbi

Shrub of North American coastlines; waxy berries used to make bayberry candles; bark used in Thomsonian herbal medicine as astringent and circulatory stimulant.

Tropical Oxalidaceae tree used in Malay and Caribbean medicine for hypertension, diabetes, and skin conditions.

myricitrin, phenols, tannins, resin, volatile oils

oxalic acid, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, vitamin C

Circulatory stimulant in Thomsonian medicine, Astringent for diarrhea and sore throat, Stimulant tonic for fevers, Used by Indigenous peoples of eastern coast

hypertension, diabetes, skin diseases, cough, fever

Astringent, Circulatory stimulant, Diaphoretic, Antimicrobial

anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, antipyretic

1–3 g bark as decoction; 2–3 mL tincture 3x daily

Fruit juice 1-2 glasses daily (traditional)

Pregnancy, Hypertension, Prolonged use (hepatotoxic potential)

kidney disease (oxalic acid), kidney stones, rheumatoid arthritis

GI irritation, Nausea, Hepatotoxicity with prolonged use

kidney damage with excess (oxalic acid), GI upset