Mulberry White.

White mulberry: properties, application and treatment

White mulberry (Morus alba) is a tree of the mulberry family that grows to a height of 15-20 meters. It is widespread in the European part of Russia, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Moldova, Crimea, the lower reaches of the Volga, the Far East and Primorye. White mulberry is used as a fruit and ornamental tree, as well as for strengthening ravines, protective strips and green hedges.

The crown of the mulberry is dense and spherical, and the leaves are ovate and crenate-toothed along the edge. Mulberry blooms in April - May, and its flowers are small and inconspicuous, collected in earring-shaped inflorescences with a four-membered perianth. The mulberry fruit is a small drupe that ripens in May - July.

Mulberry fruits are consumed fresh and dried, they are also prepared in the form of compotes, jam, jelly, syrup, and marshmallows. They contain organic acids, vitamins B1, B2, C, PP, carotene, flavonoids and fatty acids. Fruit squeezes are added to the dough when baking gingerbread cookies and sweet breads. Dried fruits and their cake are used as a coffee substitute and fed to birds and bees.

Mulberry leaves are used as food for silkworms and domestic animals. In addition, they can be used as a medicinal plant. The leaves are collected in the spring and dried in the same way as the fruits. Aldehydes, organic acids, steroids and their derivatives, vitamin C, carotene, tannins, flavonoids and higher fatty acids are found in the leaves.

Mulberry bark is also used medicinally. The bark is collected during the period of sap flow, when the buds swell and begin to bloom. The bark is harvested by drying in the sun for 2-3 days and dried in the attic or in a well-ventilated area, stirring occasionally. The bark contains triterpenoids, steroids, nitrogen-containing compounds, tannins and flavonoids.

Mulberry juice has an expectorant, diaphoretic and diuretic effect, regulates the activity of the intestines and the cardiovascular system. When used topically, it exhibits wound-healing and bactericidal effects. Mulberry leaves are used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, asthma, cough, as well as flu and colds. They also help lower cholesterol and blood sugar, strengthen the immune system and improve metabolism. Mulberry bark is used as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, wound healing and analgesic for skin diseases, rheumatism, arthritis and other diseases.

White mulberry is also used in cosmetology for skin care, including moisturizing, nourishing and rejuvenating. Extracts from mulberry fruits, leaves and bark contain many beneficial substances that help make the skin healthier and more radiant.

Overall, White Mulberry is a useful plant with many uses in cooking, medicine, cosmetology and agriculture. However, before using any parts of the plant for medicinal or other purposes, you should consult your doctor or natural medicine practitioner.