White mulberry (Morus alba) is a leafy tree native to Asia but now found worldwide. Studies indicate that its leaf or fruit extract may have beneficial effects on blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation, and more. However, more research is needed to prove these effects.
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Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
Uses of White Mulberry
Like many plant-based medicines, people may use white mulberry for several different reasons. But there are several studies assessing white mulberry for the following potential uses.
Diabetes
Several clinical studies suggest that mulberry leaves may affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. And this effect seems to be due to 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), one of the plant chemicals in white mulberry.
You may experience lower postprandial (after-meal) blood sugar within 30 minutes of taking a dose of DNJ-enriched mulberry leaves. A higher amount of DNJ was suggested after eating complex carbohydrates. Examples of foods with complex carbohydrates include:
Participants in a small study also improved insulin with a DNJ dose with every meal. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone in your body. It generally helps your muscles and fat take in sugar from your diet to use or store as energy. In diabetes, your body may not be making enough insulin or may not be responding to this hormone. So, there is a buildup of sugar in your body.
Results from another small study also suggested improved after-meal blood sugar levels with DNJ dosed three times daily for 12 weeks.
While these clinical trials are promising, large, well-designed studies are still necessary. Also, it's essential to focus on eating a balanced diet and getting exercise to improve insulin sensitivity.
Check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbs or supplements if you have diabetes and/or are taking insulin or other blood sugar&#;lowering medications. Significant side effects can occur when taking blood sugar&#;lowering herbs or supplements with diabetes medications.
High Cholesterol
A small study found DNJ-containing mulberry leaf supplement tablets taken three times daily before meals reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered "bad" cholesterol) in 23 adults with dyslipidemia (abnormal blood cholesterol). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered "good" cholesterol) also improved. Although the findings were positive, they were limited by a few factors.
One animal study found mulberry leaf extract lowered triglyceride levels. And a combination of mulberry leaf extract and mulberry fruit extract also lowered fasting (before-meal) blood sugar levels. It decreased weight gain in mice with obesity from a high-fat diet. This animal study suggests that mulberry may aid in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a group of medical conditions that may raise your risk of heart-related problems (e.g., heart attack), diabetes, and stroke. These medical conditions may include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal blood cholesterol, and excess weight.
Like the studies for high blood sugar, these cholesterol-related studies are also somewhat promising. But large and well-designed human studies are still needed to confirm these results.
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
According to a review, mulberry leaves may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in people with mildly high cholesterol. For example, a small study suggested that DNJ-containing mulberry leaf tablets taken three times daily may lower 8-isoprostane and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.
High amounts of 8-isoprostane are typically linked to oxidative injury and cell damage inside the body. High CRP levels result in inflammation (swelling) in the body.
And over time, high cholesterol is usually connected to an inflammatory medical condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of your arteries, which may increase your risk of heart-related problems&#;like heart attacks.
Large and well-designed studies are still needed to confirm this plant's effects on oxidative stress and inflammation.
White mulberry is considered an invasive species in the United States, meaning that it contributes to the destruction of established natural habitats.
What Are the Side Effects of White Mulberry?
As with all medications and supplements, side effects are possible with white mulberry.
Common Side Effects
There is limited data about white mulberry's safety. However, according to several clinical trials, common side effects may include:
Severe Side Effects
According to a report, it might be possible to experience severe dehydration from gastroenteritis (stomach flu) caused by using white mulberry.
Severe allergic reaction is another serious side effect possible with any medication. Symptoms may include breathing difficulties, itchiness, and rash.
Call 911 and get medical help immediately if you're having a severe allergic reaction or any of your symptoms feel life-threatening.
Precautions
Your healthcare provider may advise against using white mulberry if any of the following applies to you:
Dosage: How Much White Mulberry Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
While there are some small studies on white mulberry, larger and well-designed studies are still needed. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to take white mulberry for any condition.
In studies, mulberry leaf supplement pills were given three times daily with meals. The pills may vary in the amount of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a plant chemical in white mulberry, they contain. The recommended DNJ amount may vary depending on the intended potential benefit or use.
If you want to try white mulberry, talk with your healthcare provider first. And follow their suggestions or the label instructions.
What Happens If I Take Too Much White Mulberry?
There is a limited number of studies on white mulberry use in humans, but this plant usually is considered minimally toxic to humans and animals.
A case report revealed that white mulberry can cause severe dehydration from gastroenteritis. And in this case report, severe dehydration did result in death.
Interactions
Use caution when taking white mulberry with the following:
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It also may increase the effects of your diabetes medications, like insulin. If your blood sugar is too low, you may experience excessive tiredness and sweating. It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store White Mulberry
Storage instructions may vary for different products. Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container. Keep your medications tightly closed and out of the reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet. Try to store your medications in a cool and dry place.
Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging. Avoid pouring unused and expired medicines down the drain or in the toilet. Visit the FDA's website to learn where and how to discard all unused and expired medicines. You can also find disposal boxes in your area.
Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions you may have about the best ways to dispose of your medications or supplements.
Similar Supplements
Several other herbs and supplements may impact blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Be sure to discuss the use of any of these with your healthcare provider to prevent unintended additive effects.
In general, mulberry is in the Morus genus, which consists of 10 species of trees, including the white mulberry. The following Morus species may also have similar potential uses as the white mulberry:
What is the most common dosage form for white mulberry?
White mulberry is available in several different dosage forms&#;with tablets and liquid being the most common.
Is white mulberry available from manufacturers in the United States?
Yes. Several U.S. manufacturers make white mulberry products.
Is the wood of the white mulberry tree toxic?
Yes. The white mulberry wood may be toxic.
Prolonged exposure to white mulberry wood might be linked to the following symptoms: allergic reaction, coughing, headache, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, and skin irritation. But these symptoms usually go away within 24 hours. Seek immediate medical attention if you believe you or someone is having a life-threatening reaction to white mulberry.
How do I take white mulberry safely?
To safely take plant-based medications&#;like white mulberry&#;inform your healthcare providers and pharmacists about any medication changes. This includes over-the-counter (OTC), herbal, natural medications, and supplements.
They can help prevent possible interactions and side effects. They can also ensure that you&#;re giving white mulberry a good trial at appropriate doses.
Sources of White Mulberry & What to Look For
Several sources of white mulberry exist.
Food Sources of White Mulberry
White mulberry is naturally available as a leafy tree with fruit. You may eat mulberry fruit as fresh fruits and jams. You may also turn the fruit into fruit juice. And the leaves can be brewed into tea.
Mulberry can be found in the following foods:
White Mulberry Supplements
White mulberry is available in various forms, including capsules and tablets. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, white mulberry is also available in the following dosage forms:
There are also vegetarian options. The product you choose should depend on your preference and what you hope to get in terms of effects. Each product may work a bit differently, depending on the form. So, it's essential to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations or label directions.
Summary
White mulberry is a leafy tree that produces fruit. This plant may have some potential to lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It may also have some antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects.
While white mulberry is generally recognized as safe, it's not without side effects. There are also potential interactions to consider. And white mulberry wood can be toxic.
More research with larger and better-designed clinical trials is still needed to study white mulberry's effectiveness and safety. Before taking white mulberry, reach out to your pharmacist or healthcare provider to learn if white mulberry may benefit you.
This article reviews mulberry leaf, examining its uses, benefits, and potential side effects.
Mulberry levels are rich in plant compounds like polyphenol antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.
Mulberry trees produce flavorful berries that are enjoyed around the world. For centuries, its leaves have been used in traditional medicine as a natural treatment for a variety of conditions.
You can also take mulberry leaf supplements, which have become increasingly popular for their potential health benefits.
They&#;re commonly used to make tinctures and herbal teas , which are a common health beverage in Asian countries. Young leaves can be eaten after cooking.
Mulberry (Morus) belongs to the Moraceae plant family and includes several species, such as the black mulberry (M. nigra), red mulberry (M. rubra), and white mulberry (M. alba).
A review found reports that compounds found in mulberry leaves may help lower blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation levels. However, more research is necessary to assess the efficacy of mulberry leaf and its extracts in treating these conditions fully.
While some people may find benefits from using herbal remedies alongside doctor-recommended treatments, their use should never replace medical therapies.
Mulberry leaves provide several compounds that may help combat diabetes. These include 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), which prevents the absorption of carbs in your gut.
In one placebo-controlled study, 37 adults ingested maltodextrin, a starchy powder that rapidly boosts blood sugar levels. They were then given mulberry leaf extract containing 5% DNJ. Those who took either 250 or 500 mg of the extract experienced a significantly lower rise in blood sugar and insulin levels than the placebo group.
Another study from reported that over a 3-month period, people with type 2 diabetes who took 1,000 mg of mulberry leaf extract 3 times daily with meals experienced significant reductions in post-meal blood sugar levels, compared with a placebo group.
However, it is important to note that further study is necessary to fully assess the efficacy of mulberry leaf and its extracts as a complementary diabetes treatment.
Some research suggests that mulberry leaf extract may improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure levels, decreasing inflammation, and preventing atherosclerosis &#; a buildup of plaque in your arteries that can lead to heart disease.
For example, a review reports that compounds found in the mulberry leaf may have several different positive effects, including:
However, it is important to note that many of the studies cited in the review are older and may include test tube and animal studies rather than controlled human trials. As a result, while this potential therapy area may be promising, there is a current lack of high-quality clinical evidence supporting the use of mulberry leaf and its compounds for these means.
For example, animal studies indicate that this leaf may prevent atherosclerosis, reduce cellular damage, and lower blood pressure, all of which are risk factors for heart disease. However, these effects have not been appropriately replicated in controlled human studies.
Mulberry leaves contain numerous anti-inflammatory compounds, including flavonoid antioxidants. Some research suggests that mulberry leaf may combat inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which are linked to chronic disease.
For example, a study in mice on high fat diets demonstrated that supplements from this leaf reduced inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, as well as oxidative stress markers like superoxide dismutase.
Although these results are encouraging, human studies are needed.
Although research is limited, mulberry leaf may offer several other health benefits. These include:
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