Mulberry (Mulberry) local names include Mon , Mon (Isaan) , Sum Hia (China). It is a small shrub. Red-brown bark The single leaves are alternating, dark green, heart-shaped, with sawtooth edges, rough surface, dark green, with 3 lengthwise veins. The flowers are small, round, in a cluster of small round rods. The male and female flowers are separated. The flowers have 4 petals, emerging in the leaf axils at the ends. The branches are approximately 1 inch long. The fruit is a cluster of small circles. When ripe, they are purplish-red to black in color. The fruits are small, round, brown-black in bunches when ripe. It is also a natural food plant for silkworms.
Mulberry benefits
- Fresh leaves, when chewed fresh, will have a sweet, slightly cool, bitter taste. Some locals bring it to eat fresh.
- Nowadays, it is popular to dry the leaves. and brew and drink mulberry leaf tea which will give a unique fragrance and tastes like tea But slightly sweet
- In some localities, such as the northeastern region and the northern region, the leaves are popular for cooking in various stewed dishes. which will increase the taste even more delicious
- As for the ripe fruit Can be eaten as fruit or as bird food.
- In some areas where there is a lot of mulberry growing, the mulberry fruit is fermented into wine and sold. Which can be purchased at various OTOPs. The appearance of the mulberry fruit is reddish purple. Or eat the ripe fruit fresh, which will give a slightly sour and sweet taste. or sell ripe mulberry fruits to eat fresh
How to put it to good use
- Selecting mulberry leaves to make medicine You should choose fresh green leaves. Looks chubby all over. And there are no insect bites.
- Using mulberry leaves to make medicine can be done by drying the leaves. Then crush and put into capsules to eat or boil the dried leaves and drink mulberry leaf tea.
- You should not use the drug continuously. and in large quantities Because they may be exposed to tannins that affect the digestive system in the stomach. causes bloating Indigestible food
- If you experience allergic reactions or abnormal effects on your body. Stop using immediately.
Mulberry properties
Mulberry fruit is red, purplish-red, and when ripe it turns purplish-black or black. Substances in the anthocyanin group have been found that have anti-ischemic effects in the brain. Anti-oxidant In addition, high amounts of vitamin C have been found to help prevent scurvy.
Mulberry leaves ( boiled in water or brewed as dried leaves as tea) helps in relaxation , relieves heat and thirst , helps reduce colds. and headaches , helps relieve dizziness , relieves cough, sore throat, dry throat , and provides antioxidants. Reduce cell deterioration , help reduce blood sugar. And helps relieve symptoms from diabetes , reduces blood cholesterol levels , prevents heart disease and stroke , and helps reduce blood pressure. and antibacterial Helps relieve diarrhea
As for the branches and trunk, many of the substances mentioned above were found. It acts against the creation of melanin, which is a pigment-producing substance. Therefore, such substances are extracted and used in cosmetics for beauty, making the skin white and smooth. Other medicinal effects have been studied and found to help relieve joint and muscle pain, reduce hand and foot cramps.
1. Nourish the body
Because mulberry leaf tea is rich in nutrients such as calcium, potassium, iron, sodium, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2 , vitamin C, high minerals and up to 18 types of amino acids that are essential to the body, it would not be surprising if Drinking mulberry leaf tea will help nourish the body. Because of the many nutrients that are rich in it. It is a guarantee that mulberry leaf tea is truly a healthy drink.
2. Reduce blood sugar
Mulberry leaves contain a substance that has a structure similar to a single sugar molecule. There are many different types. This type of substance is considered an important substance that helps in reducing blood sugar. This substance will inhibit the enzyme that is responsible for breaking down double sugar molecules into single sugar molecules. That causes blood sugar levels to decrease.
A study of pharmacological effects on the sugar-lowering effect of mulberry leaves. To support in being used to treat diabetes. Found that...there have been studies conducted in test tubes, animal models, and clinical studies.
In test tubes and animals, it was found that mulberry leaf extracts and tea It has the effect of inhibiting enzymes. α-glucosidase Inhibits glucose absorption and can reduce blood sugar The main active ingredient is 1-deoxynojirimysin (DNJ) , which is an alkaloid. that has a structure similar to a single sugar molecule ( monosaccharides)
For a clinical study, it was found that eating mulberry leaf powder at a dose of 5.4 g./day together with water (divided into 1.8 g. 3 times a day ) for 3 months had an effect on improving blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. and the average accumulated sugar level in the blood decreased and did not find any side effects
And in patients with type 2 diabetes who take mulberry leaf powder capsules, size 6 capsules/day (2 capsules each time, 3 times a day after meals ( 1 capsule contains 500 mg of mulberry leaf powder, equal to 3 g./day) for 30 days compared to the group that received the drug Glibenclamide, dose 5 mg/day, found that the group receiving mulberry leaf powder had lower blood sugar levels. But it had no effect on the average cumulative sugar level. It also has the effect of reducing total cholesterol. Triglycerides free fatty acids , LDL and VLDL , and increased levels of HDL as well..while the group that received the drug glibenclamide Blood sugar levels decrease But it has no effect on body fat levels. Except for the triglyceride level which decreased.
A study of volunteers at risk for diabetes. (Blood sugar level 100-140 mg/dL) Take 1, 2, and 3 mulberry leaf extract capsules (with DNJ of 3, 6, and 9 mg/capsule) before meals for 15 minutes. Minutes found to have an effect on reducing blood sugar levels after eating. and can reduce insulin secretion
Study of the safety effects of long-term consumption of mulberry leaf extract powder. By having healthy volunteers consume mulberry leaf extract powder at a dose of 3.6 g./day ( 1.2 g. before meals, 3 times a day; DNJ equal to 54 mg./day) for 38 days, it was found that mulberry leaf extract Does not cause hypoglycemia. or abnormalities in body fat It does not affect the biochemistry values in the blood and does not cause side effects that are dangerous to the gastrointestinal system.
From all experiments Helps us to conclude that..mulberry leaves have an effect on reducing blood sugar in diabetic patients. People at risk for diabetes and normal people can..without causing low blood sugar There were no dangerous side effects when taken continuously for 1 month, and a long-term study of 12 weeks did not find any dangerous side effects either.
3. Reduce cholesterol
The results of a study published in the journal BioMed Research International in 2013 indicated that volunteers who ate 280 grams of mulberry leaf powder 3 times a day for 3 months had a higher triglyceride level. and LDL cholesterol levels decreased significantly But this also depends on each person's eating habits.
4. Reduce blood pressure
GABA is present in mulberry leaf tea as high as 230 milligrams per 100 grams of mulberry leaf . GABA has properties that help reduce high blood pressure as we all know.
5. Reduce inflammation of tissue cells
Because mulberry leaves are rich in various types of antioxidants, they can reduce inflammation in the body. Because of the antioxidants Has the ability to reduce inflammation of tissue cells. and reduces wrinkles on the skin very well There is also a study from PubMed Health that has stated that the antioxidants in mulberry leaves are Helps to reduce the risk of cancer as well.
Many people may wonder how mulberry leaves can be made into a mulberry leaf tea drink. We recommend collecting about 3-4 leaf tips and cutting them into appropriate sizes. Continue by scalding with hot water for 30 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Followed by placing it in the sun to dry. Then roasted with low heat. until the mulberry leaves are dry When finished, store it in a jar to use as desired. As for the precautions, For diabetic patients taking Acarbose, it is not recommended to drink it. Because it may cause blood sugar levels to drop too much.
