Benefits Of Mulberry Plant - Morus Alba

Mulberries are called 'Shahtoot' in India.

Mulberries are the delicious, tart, sweet and succulent fruits of the trees belonging to the Genus Morus.

About 10 to 16 species of the Morus tree yield mulberries of which 3 species of economic importance are recognised and they are:

• White mulberry tree - Morus alba, a native of eastern and central China.
• Red mulberry tree - Morus rubra, a native of eastern United States.
• Black mulberry tree - Morus nigra, a native of western Asia.

Mulberries, now are grown the world over.The mulberry plant is a rapid grower initially and slows down later. The tree is 35 to 50 feet tall.

The mulberry fruit is not a single fruit but a composite fruit, as the entire inflorescence develops into a fruit. When unripe the mulberries are white, green or pale yellow with the edges pink. When mature they can be white to red to dark purple, almost black in colour.

The white mulberry fruit is actually white to pink when mature. The darker variety of fruit has a stronger flavour than the white variety.

Mulberries are eaten as fruit and also used to make, juices, sauces, muffins, cakes, cookies,tarts, pies,cordial. wines, ice creams, smoothies, yogurt etc Jam, and sherbets are also made from black, red and white mulberries.

Mulberry leaves are the only source of food for silkworms. Cocoons are used for making silk.

The mulberry fruit & leaves are sold in other forms as health supplements. Mulberry fruits are also used to extract the colourful pigments, anthocyanins which are used as natural food colours.

In India, the leaves serve as food for cattle & goats, the pruned shoots are used as firewood.
The wood is used in making scaffolding, furniture, panellings, plywood, toys, sports goods.
Some parts of the wood are used to make carriages and carts.

The branches of the mulberry tree are used to make baskets.

From the bark of the stem of the Morus alba tree, paper is made.

In ayurvedic medicines, various parts of the mulberry plant are used.

• From the leaves a gargle is prepared for throat infections.
• The fruits are used in fever, depression, and sore throat as they are cooling.
• The root bark is used as purgative and anthelmintic.
• The juice of the root is used to treat high blood pressure.
• Chinese use the tips of the young leaves to make a tea to control blood pressure.
• The latex is used as plaster for sores and in skin creams.
• Mulberries reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clots, heart palpitations etc.
• Mulberries aid in weight loss, build immunity, benefit the digestive system and eyesight, relieve constipation and enhance appetite and checks anemia.
• they benefit hair growth, soothe the nerves, relieve tiredness and fatigue.
• Mulberries benefits in gastritis, hepatitis dizziness and insomnia.
• Mulberries control excessive thirst, relieve phlegm, purifies the blood.
• Consuming mulberries during the hot season benefits in blood disorders and has a cooling effect on the body.
• Excessive yellowness of the urine is controlled by consuming mulberry juice to which sugar has been added.
• In mouth ulcers and enlarged glands, gargle with a solution of mulberry sherbet. Add 1 tsp of mulberry sherbet to a cup of water to make this water solution.

Mulberries are a literal powerhouse of nutrition. They are very rich in Vitamins B,C,K and the element iron. Good levels of fiber, riboflavin, phosphorus, copper, magnesium, potassium and calcium are also found in mulberries.

Also they are an excellent source of the antioxidants resveratrol, zeaxanthin, lutein,and to a lesser extent the alpha & beta carotene.

Mulberry leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamins, B, C and K. They also contain antioxidants particularly the anthocyanins and the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol. the leaves contain 18 amino acids.

The mulberry tea is caffeine free and made from mulberry leaves.

Mulberry tea maybe slightly laxative , controls inflammations of the mucus membranes of the respiratory tract. The tea relieves colds, coughs, throat infections, inflammations of the eyes, liver and lung problems, supposed to prevent oxidation of cholesterol consequently keeping the arteries free of fat deposits and hence hardening of arteries.

Preparation of Mulberry Tea

Boil about 200 - 250 ml water and take it off the heat. Add 1 tsp of mulberry leaf powder or 1 tea bag. Let it steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and drink. It might taste sweet to bitter.
This tea can be taken 2-3 times a day.

Disclaimer

The information provided in this hub is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult your physician, or health care provider before taking any home remedies or supplements.