Description

Myrica esculenta, the Himalayan bayberry or box myrtle, is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree of the family Myricaceae, native to the subtropical Himalayan foothills and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya at elevations between 900 and 2,300 metres, extending to Nepal, Bhutan, and southern China. The tree produces clusters of small, round, waxy, dark blue-purple edible berries that are consumed as a wild fruit by Himalayan hill communities. In classical Ayurveda, the bark — known as Katphala — is documented in the Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam for use in respiratory preparations including Shadbindu Tail and various Pratishyaya (nasal congestion) formulations. The bark is also a component of classical dental preparations for strengthening gums. Commercially harvested in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Northeastern states.