Katphala — Bayberry

Ayurvedic herb Katphala (Myrica esculenta) — Bayberry. Pharmacological properties: Rasa Kashaya, Tikta, Katu, Virya Ushna, Vipaka Katu. Balances Vata, Kapha.

Ayurvedic Herbs A–Z 1 min read
This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional.

Myrica esculenta bark is used for respiratory ailments like cough, cold, and fever.

ⓘ Information
PropertyValueDescription
RasaKashaya, Tikta, KatuKashaya (Astringent) — drying, absorbent, wound-healing; Tikta (Bitter) — detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic; Katu (Pungent) — stimulates digestion, circulation, expectorant
GunaLaghu, TikshnaLaghu (Light) — easy to digest, promotes lightness; Tikshna (Sharp) — penetrating, stimulating
ViryaUshnaUshna (Hot) — heating, increases metabolism and Pitta
VipakaKatuKatu (Pungent) — post-digestive pungent, lightening
PrabhavaJwaraghna, KasaharaJwaraghna — antipyretic, reduces fever; Kasahara — relieves cough

Sanskrit Synonyms

In the classical Ayurvedic texts, Katphala is known by the following Sanskrit names:

Kaiyaphala, Bhadra, Kumuda, Mahabal

Parts Used

The medicinal parts of Katphala are: twak, phala.

Main Indications

Katphala is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:

Kasa, Shwasa, Jwara, Aruchi, Mukharoga.

Dosha Effects

Katphala pacifies Vata, Kapha.

It may aggravate Pitta when used in excess or in sensitive individuals.

Usage

Katphala is used in classical Ayurvedic formulations. Consult a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner for appropriate dosage and preparation based on your constitution (Prakriti) and current imbalance (Vikriti).

Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API)

Source: Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India — Government of India, Ministry of AYUSH

Rasa (Taste)Kauu, Tikta, Kaṣ¡ya
Guna (Quality)Laghu, Tikṣḍa
Virya (Potency)Uṣḍa
Vipaka (Post-digestive effect)Kauu
Karma (Action)Kaphav¡tahara, D¡hahara, Mukharoga¿¡maka, Dh¡tuvik¡rajit, Rucya
Dose3-5 g
Therapeutic Uses: Gulma, Meha, Jvara, Ar¿a, Grahaḍi, P¡ḍtu Roga, Hrll¡sa, Mukha
Important Formulations: Brhatphala Ghrta, Puṣy¡nuga Cūrḍa, Arimed¡di Taila,
Botanical Name: Myrica esculenta Buch. (Myricaceae)
Part Used: Frt.

Therapeutic Uses (IMPPAT Database)

Source: Indian Medicinal Plants, Phytochemistry And Therapeutics (IMPPAT) v1.0 — CC BY 4.0

Part UsedTherapeutic UseIdentifiersReferences
aerial partHypersensitivityMESH:D006967,UMLS:C0020517, ICD-11:4B07ISBN:9770972795006
barkAbdominal painMESH:D015746,UMLS:C0000737, SYMP:0000457, ICD-11:MD81.4ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnaphylaxisMESH:D000707,UMLS:C0002792, ICD-11:4A84ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnemiaMESH:D000740,UMLS:C0002871, DOID:2355, ICD-11:3A9ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
barkAnorexiaMESH:D000855,UMLS:C1971624, DOID:8689, ICD-11:MG43.7ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnthelminticsMESH:D000871,UMLS:C0003158, ICD-11:XM4EC0ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntifungal agentsMESH:D000935,UMLS:C0003308, ICD-11:XM83G4ISBN:9770972795006
barkAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
barkAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntirheumatic agentsMESH:D018501,UMLS:C0003191, ICD-11:XM95N2ISBN:9770972795006
barkAntitussive agentsMESH:D000996,UMLS:C0003449ISBN:9770972795006
barkAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
barkAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006
barkBlisterMESH:D001768,UMLS:C1579830, ICD-11:ME63.3ISBN:9770972795006
barkBronchitisMESH:D001991,UMLS:C0006277, DOID:6132, ICD-11:CA20ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
barkCeliac diseaseMESH:D002446,UMLS:C0007570, DOID:10608, ICD-11:DA95ISBN:9770972795006
barkCholeraMESH:D002771,UMLS:C0008354, DOID:1498, ICD-11:1A00ISBN:9770972795006
barkCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
barkCoughMESH:D003371,UMLS:C0010200, ICD-11:MD12ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
barkDental cariesMESH:D003731,UMLS:C0011334, DOID:216, ICD-11:DA08.0ISBN:9770972795006
barkDentifricesMESH:D003802,UMLS:C0011427, ICD-11:DA08.11ISBN:9770972795006
barkDiarrheaMESH:D003967,UMLS:C0011991, DOID:13250, ICD-11:ME05.1ISBN:9770972795006
barkDiureticsMESH:D004232,UMLS:C0012798, ICD-11:XM4D06ISBN:9770972795006
barkDysenteryMESH:D004403,UMLS:C0277526, DOID:12384, ICD-11:1A40.ZISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788171360536
barkDyspepsiaMESH:D004415,UMLS:C0013395, ICD-11:DD90.3ISBN:9770972795006
barkDyspneaMESH:D004417,UMLS:C0013404, ICD-11:MD11.5ISBN:9770972795006
barkEndophthalmitisMESH:D009877,UMLS:C0014236, DOID:4692, ICD-11:9C21ISBN:9788171360536
barkEye diseasesMESH:D005128,UMLS:C0015397, DOID:5614, ICD-11:9E1ZISBN:9788171360536
barkFeverMESH:D005334,UMLS:C0015967, ICD-11:MG26ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
barkFlatulenceMESH:D005414,UMLS:C0016204, ICD-11:ME08ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
barkHemorrhageMESH:D006470,UMLS:C0019080, ICD-11:MG27ISBN:9770972795006
barkLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006
barkLiver diseasesMESH:D008107,UMLS:C0023895, DOID:409, ICD-11:SA0ZISBN:9770972795006
barkLung diseasesMESH:D008171,UMLS:C0024115, DOID:850, ICD-11:CB40.YISBN:9770972795006
barkMental disordersMESH:D001523,UMLS:C0004936, ICD-11:6E8ZISBN:9770972795006
barkMouth diseasesMESH:D009059,UMLS:C0026636, DOID:403ISBN:9770972795006
barkNauseaMESH:D009325,UMLS:C0027497, ICD-11:MD90.0ISBN:9770972795006
barkNasal diseaseMESH:D009668,UMLS:C0028432, DOID:2825, ICD-11:CA0ZISBN:9770972795006
barkPeriodontal diseasesMESH:D010510,UMLS:C0031090, DOID:3388, ICD-11:DA0CISBN:9770972795006
barkPeriodontitisMESH:D010518,UMLS:C0031099, DOID:824, ICD-11:DA0CISBN:9770972795006
barkPharyngitisMESH:D010612,UMLS:C0031350, DOID:2275, ICD-11:CA02.ZISBN:9770972795006
barkStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9770972795006
barkToothacheMESH:D014098,UMLS:C0040460, ICD-11:DA0A.YISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
barkTyphoid feverMESH:D014435,UMLS:C0041466, DOID:13258, ICD-11:1A07ISBN:9770972795006
barkUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006
barkUrination disordersMESH:D014555,UMLS:C0042035, ICD-11:GB0YISBN:9770972795006
barkWounds and injuriesMESH:D014947,UMLS:C0043251ISBN:9788171360536, ISBN:9788172363130
barkMalabsorption syndromesMESH:D008286,UMLS:C0024523, ICD-11:DA96.0ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitAnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAnti-infective agents, localMESH:D000891,UMLS:C0003205, ICD-11:XM4VG4ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntineoplastic agentsMESH:D000970,UMLS:C0003392ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntioxidantsMESH:D000975,UMLS:C0003402ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntipyreticsMESH:D058633,UMLS:C0003419, ICD-11:XM1RS7ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAntitussive agentsMESH:D000996,UMLS:C0003449ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAsthmaMESH:D001249,UMLS:C0004096, DOID:2841, ICD-11:CA23ISBN:9770972795006
fruitAstringentsMESH:D001252,UMLS:C0004110, ICD-11:XM0VK6ISBN:9770972795006
fruitCatharticsMESH:D002400,UMLS:C0007422, ICD-11:XM6GE9ISBN:9770972795006
fruitCommon coldMESH:D003139,UMLS:C0009443, DOID:10459, ICD-11:CA00ISBN:9770972795006
fruitDigestive system diseasesMESH:D004066,UMLS:C0012242, ICD-11:DE2ZISBN:9770972795006
fruitLaxativesMESH:D054368,UMLS:C0282090, ICD-11:XM62T3ISBN:9770972795006
fruitGeneral tonic for rejuvenationMESH:D012060,UMLS:C0035016ISBN:9770972795006
fruitStomach diseasesMESH:D013272,UMLS:C0038354, DOID:76, ICD-11:DA4YISBN:9770972795006
fruitUlcerMESH:D014456,UMLS:C0041582ISBN:9770972795006, ISBN:9788172363130
leafAnti-bacterial agentsMESH:D000900,UMLS:C0279516, ICD-11:XM8XH0ISBN:9770972795006
AnalgesicsMESH:D000700,UMLS:C0002771, ICD-11:XM49F7ISBN:9770972795006
Anti-inflammatory agentsMESH:D000893,UMLS:C0003209, ICD-11:XM7XD1ISBN:9770972795006