Mulberry Leaf Health Benefits, Properties, and Uses

Mulberry leaf is the dried leaf from the Morus alba L. plant of the Moraceae family of plants. There are several species of mulberry bush, including the Chinese white mulberry bush. In China, the white mulberry bush is well-known for its cultivation as food for silkworms. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), mulberry leaf is known as Sang Ye.¹

Today, species of mulberry are naturalized around the world including throughout Asia, Europe, North America and South America. For health benefits, mulberry leaf can be taken dried, as a tea or in extract form.¹

Mulberry Leaf Health Uses and Health Benefits

In TCM, the mulberry leaf is taken to target the lung and liver meridians. It contains several plant sterols that give mulberry leaf important antioxidant properties for disease prevention and health protection.²

Mulberry leaf is also taken as a natural anti-inflammatory. Naturally reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels, mulberry leaf tea can help manage conditions associated with heart disease and help prevent the risk of developing heart disease long-term.³

But perhaps the most well-research health benefit of mulberry leaf is its antidiabetic effect. Mulberry leaf contains a phytocompound called 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which has shown to help control blood sugar levels—an important benefit for those with type 2 diabetes.⁴

Mulberry leaf is also nutritious, as it’s rich in vitamins A, C and B vitamins as well as minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium and iron.^4,5

References

1. https://www.mdidea.com/products/new/new05402.html 
2. http://www.shen-nong.com/eng/herbal/sangye.html 
3. http://www.chineseherbshealing.com/mulberry-leaf/ 
4. https://www.livestrong.com/article/265868-what-are-the-health-benefits-of-mulberry-leaf-tea/ 
5. https://www.greensilk.com/benefits/mulberry-leaf-health-benefits/