The fruits of the Mulberry tree are flavorful berries that are enjoyed around the world and are sometimes referred to as superfoods because they contain a high concentration of Vitamin C, Potassium, and Minerals.
Despite this, the fruit of the mulberry tree is not the only part of the tree that may be beneficial.
Traditional medicine has used the mulberry tree leaves for centuries to treat a variety of conditions. The tea made from mulberry leaves is called mulberry tea.
What is Mulberry Tea?
A mulberry tree (Morus) belongs to the Moraceae family, which produces Mulberry Leaf Tea. Around the world, sixteen kinds of mulberry are known to exist in warm, subtropical, and temperate climates. Our delicious and wholesome
Mulberry Tea is made with the Morus nigra (Black Mulberry) variety. Some trees grow to heights between 12 metres (39 feet) and 24 metres (78 feet) depending on their species.
Leaf length is approximately 10-20 cm (4-8 inches) and width is approximately 6-19 cm (2-7 inches). Herbal Tea is made from these leaves. There are in fact several Mulberry Tea benefits that come with these leaves.
History Of Mulberry Tea
It is originally an Asian crop but has now spread to other parts of the world. There are 16 species of mulberries, and the most common are Black and White Mulberries. Autumn is a good time to harvest and dry the leaves to make tea.
A Chinese record dates back 3000 years to when mulberry trees were cultivated. Historically, the mulberry tree provided food, paper making, silkworms, and medicinal properties to ancient Chinese societies.
Mulberry leaves are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve eyesight, clear the liver, expel wind, and alleviate the heat. Also, it promotes healthy bones, supports liver function, enhances youthful skin, treats coughs and colds, treats stomach aches, and strengthens the eyes.
There are minerals and vitamins in mulberry tea that prevent health problems such as inflammation, diabetes, respiratory problems, and blood vessel problems.
How to Prepare Mulberry Tea (Mulberry Tea Recipe)
You’ll Need
- 2 – 3 cups of water
- 2 teaspoons dried mulberry leaves
- Honey as a sweetener (optional)
Procedure
- Boil 2-3 cups of water in a pot.
- Add 2 teaspoons of dried mulberry leaves in it.
- Let it boil for 7-8 minutes.
- After that, turn off the heat and allow it to cool down.
- Once it’s at the appropriate temperature, add 1 teaspoon of honey in it (or as required).
- Serve hot, Enjoy!
- Note: You can also use fresh mulberry leaves instead of dried ones.
Also Read: 15 Amazing Health Benefits of Lemon Tea, How To Make & Side Effects
Potential Health Benefits of Mulberry Leaf Tea
In comparison with milk, the Mulberry leaf is 25 times more calcium-rich. It contains more iron than spinach and twice as much fiber as green tea. Here are the health benefits Mulberry Tea contains:
1. Contains Antioxidants and Minerals
Mulberry leaves are known to contain minerals such as:
- Iron
- calcium
- Zinc
According to the International Journal of Food. Mulberry tea is also rich in antioxidants such as beta carotene and ascorbic acid. Many types of tea have these in them, including long island iced tea which is very popular.
Antioxidants prevent free radicals from forming. Taking foods and drinks rich in beta carotene can reduce your chances of getting cancer, according to PubMed Health.
It is therapeutic to treat inflammation, muscular degeneration, cardiovascular conditions, and even cancer with vitamin C (ascorbic acid). In addition, your body requires this vitamin in times of stress or depression.
2. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels & Insulin
Several compounds found in mulberry leaves may help fight diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by an increase in blood vessels. Gallic acid reduces blood glucose, according to a 2012 study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine.
Mulberry leaf can be a useful home remedy for Type 2 Diabetes due to its ability to lower blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Care reported in 2007 that the first two hours after mulberry extract consumption, glucose spikes were reduced in diabetics. Scientists have discovered that mulberry can be used to treat and prevent diabetes.
3. Boosts Heart Health & Lowers Bad Cholesterol
Studies suggest that mulberry leaf extract improves heart health in several ways, including lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, decreasing inflammation, and preventing atherosclerosis, which is the heavy buildup of plaque in the arteries that can cause heart disease.
According to a study published in 2013, if the patients were given 280 grams of mulberry leaf powder three times a week for three months, their triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels would be lower.
Mulberry leaf tea contains compounds that also lower cholesterol and triglycerides.
4. Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Researchers have found that mulberry leaf tea inhibits the body’s reactions to compounds that cause inflammation.
Inflammation and pain can be eased by mulberry leaf tea. Mulberry leaf was also found to reduce inflammation caused by chronic diseases by a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods in 2013.
5. Treats Cold
The liver and other conditions can be treated with Mulberry tea. Painful eyes, headache, cough, fever, and sore throat can all be treated with it.
Bacterial strains are prevented from growing, which is helpful in preventing strep throat. You could also recover from cold symptoms if you drank mulberry tea.
6. Contains Vitamin A, B1 and B2
White mulberry tea contains vitamins A and B1, which are good for your skin, eyes, immune system and nervous system. Studies have shown it can enhance vision and reflexes, lessen dark spots, and shield the body from infections and bacteria.
Vitamin B2 helps in the production of red blood cells, manages reproduction and growth, produces energy, controls thyroid function, treats acne, maintains the nervous system, allows the body to absorb minerals, preserves the digestive tract, and facilitates a healthy pregnancy.
With a high concentration of Vitamin A in the mulberry tea, the eyesight is enhanced and eye strain is lessened. It reduces the risk of eyesight loss and prevents retinal degeneration.
Adding mulberry leaves to hot baths and saunas assists in opening pores and detoxification of the body. It also makes hair healthy and increases hair growth.
7. Mulberry Tea Aids in Weight Loss
It contains moranoline (1-deoxynojirimycin), which prevents carbohydrates from being absorbed into the body.
As a result, it prevents carbohydrates and starches from being converted into glucose in the body. Decreased blood sugar levels reduce hunger. Ultimately, this leads to weight loss.
8. Good Liver Health
The white mulberry tea is also an antioxidant which helps cleanse the liver from accumulated toxic substances caused by excessive consumption of alcohol.
9. Good Blood Vessel Health
Due to the presence of flavonoids and quercetin in mulberry leaves, mulberry tea reduces the likelihood of atherosclerosis by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in blood vessels.
As a result, oxidative stress is prevented. To keep your blood vessels healthy, you should consume mulberry tea daily.
10. Magnesium-rich
Nerves, muscles, and the heart require magnesium to function normally. Mulberry tea assists in building bone strength, manages blood sugar levels, and helps support a healthy immune system.
11. Reduces inflammation
Several anti-inflammatory compounds are contained in Mulberry leaf tea, including flavonoids.
Studies have suggested mulberry leaf may aid in combating inflammation and oxidative stress, which are both associated with chronic disease.
12. Managing appetite
You can burn more calories by drinking organic white mulberry tea. The 1-DNJ will kick start blocking those carbohydrates in your meal if you drink a cup 30 minutes before having the meal.
The key to weight loss is not only drinking this tea but maintaining a healthy diet and regular exercise.
13. Excellent Beverage
You can enjoy this beverage either hot or cold. Both loose leaf and prepackaged forms are available to buy. It is recommended to steep mulberry tea bags for 3-5 minutes and loose tea for at least 8 minutes.
Mulberry Tea Potential Side Effects
Weight loss, cold symptoms, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol can all be treated with this herb.
However, If you want to eliminate side effects, you should take some precautions. Mulberry leaf should be used only under the supervision & consultancy of a licensed healthcare provider.
1. Interactions with Medications
It is advised not to drink mulberry tea if you are taking diabetes medication. Low blood sugar or hypoglycemia may result from the interaction of the medication and mulberry tea. If you intend to drink mulberry tea you should consult a licensed healthcare provider.
2. Allergic Reactions
Skin irritation may occur when the skin comes into contact with the sap or stems of the tree. In the event of rapid pulse, breathing difficulty, wheezing or swelling, the use of the mulberry products should be discontinued and medical advice should be sought.
3. Affects Kidneys
Those who suffer from kidney disease may experience discomfort due to high potassium levels. Mulberry tea is thus better avoided by kidney patients.
4. Too Low Blood Sugar
Mulberry tea could lower blood sugar levels to extremes. When blood sugar is low, patients experience confusion, hunger, headache, tremors, blurry vision, dizziness, and sweating. The person who experiences these side effects should seek medical help.
5. Contraindications
You should not drink this tea if you are breastfeeding, pregnant, or undergoing surgery within the next two weeks.
Who should drink it?
It can be consumed every day by everyone. Its numerous vitamins that are beneficial to health make it suitable for young and old alike. It may help patients who suffer from high blood pressure or diabetes to lower levels of sugar in their bodies.
Is Mulberry leaf tea safe? Who Should Avoid It?
Herbs such as mulberry leaf tea are naturally non-toxic and safe to consume. The elderly should drink it every day in order to stay healthy, and Chinese and Japanese naturopaths recommend it for the prevention of diseases.
It is not advisable for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, or children under the age of six to drink excessively unless under the supervision of a qualified professional.