Page 253 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 253
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Red Mulberry, barbecue and smoking meats. It adds a smoky flavor
that is sweet and mild.
Morus rubus Medicinal Use: The leaves, fruit, and bark all have
medicinal value. Use the fruit and leaves during the
The deciduous thornless red mulberry tree grows to 50 summer months when they are readily available and
feet (15 meters) high. I had one near my house where I switch to bark tea during the winter when the trees are
grew up in New England and have cultivated one bare.
where I now live in the PNW. They are native to East-
ern North America. They are in the Moraceae (Mul-
berry) Family.
Identification: The heart-shaped leaves are alter-
nate and approximately 3 to 6 inches (7.5 cm to 15 cm)
long and 2 to 5 inches (5 cm to 12.5 cm) wide. They are
broadly cordate with a notch at the base and a pointed
tip. Most leaves on mature trees are unlobed but leaves
on young trees often have 2 to 3 lobes with a serrated
margin. The leaves have a rough upper surface while
the underside is covered with soft hairs. The leaf peti-
ole secretes a milky sap when cut or injured. The flow-
ers are small, yellow-green or red-green, with male and
female flowers usually on separate trees. The flowers
open in the early spring as the leaves emerge. The
trunk is covered with dark brown bark that is scaly or Heart Disease: Mulberries are beneficial for the
sometimes smooth. heart. They reduce inflammation in the arteries and
veins, lower cholesterol, and lower the risk of heart dis-
ease. Eating the berries or drinking the wine, in mod-
eration, confers all the benefits.
Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s: Eating
mulberries regularly protects the brain from inflam-
mation and its effects. They reduce chronic inflamma-
tion and slow down the disease process.
Urinary Tract Problems: Mulberry Leaf Tea is a
potent weapon against urinary tract infections and
other problems. The leaves are anti-inflammatory and
anti-microbial. Combined with their healing proper-
ties and superior nutrition, the leaf tea resolves the
problem quickly.
Ringworm: Ringworm responds well to the applica-
tion of mulberry sap taken from the cut leaf petiole.
Apply the sap directly to the affected area as needed.
Diabetes: The leaves and bark of the red mulberry
Edible Use: You can eat mulberries both raw and tree help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetics and in-
cooked. They are most often used to make pies, pas- crease the production of insulin. They also protect the
tries, and jellies, but I like them raw. They also make a heart, liver, and kidneys from damage by the disease.
very nice sweet fruit wine. The dried wood is useful for Use leaf or bark tea.
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