Morus alba
Etymology
Morus alba comes from Ancient Greek morea (mulberry) and Latin albus (white).
Habitat and Distribution
This common Chinese mulberry belongs to the Moraceae family and, like its relatives, produces latex in its tissues. Native to Mongolia and India, its leaves have long been used to feed silkworms. It was introduced into France in the late 15th century to support the silk industry. Very hardy, it resists heat and drought well, thrives in deep, well-drained soils, and improves poor soils through its nutrient-rich autumn foliage.
Ecological Value
In June, male and female flowers appear at different points on the same tree. By July, the female flowers produce fleshy, white to pink-violet fruits that are edible and highly attractive to birds. Its deep, spreading roots dislike transplantation.
Culinary and Medicinal Value
White mulberries are eaten fresh or dried. They are juicy, sweet, vanilla-scented, and low in sugar.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the leaves, fruits, and bark have been used for over 2,000 years – as teas, tinctures, or capsules of dry extract. The plant is known for its tonic, detoxifying, fever-reducing, analgesic, antiviral, and diaphoretic properties. It’s used to treat digestive issues, fever, toothache, and to support the immune system. It also acts as a natural anxiolytic, calming anxiety, nervousness, dizziness, and sleep disorders.
The plant also helps regulate blood sugar (by inhibiting carb-digesting enzymes), reduce LDL cholesterol, and protect against heart disease and strokes. Topically, it supports skin health due to its antioxidant properties and vitamin A content – fighting skin aging, aiding regeneration, and helping heal wounds. Emerging research suggests that white mulberry may also have neuroprotective effects, making it potentially useful in preventing or treating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Sources:
http://nature.jardin.free.fr/arbre/mc_morus_alba.htm
https://www.medisite.fr/dictionnaire-des-plantes-medicinales-murier-blanc.1616246.8.html