Mulberry (Sang Shen, Sang Ye, Sang Bai Pi)

Mulberry (Sang Shen, Sang Ye, Sang Bai Pi)

Parts Most Frequently Used: Leaf, Berry, Bark

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Flavors/Temps: Sang Shen (Berry) - Sweet, Cold; Sang Ye (Leaf) - Sweet, Bitter, Cold; Sang Bai Pi (Bark) - Sweet, Cold.

Caution: Considered safe.

Key Constituents: Protein, Lipids, Anthocyanins, Iron, Fiber, Fatty acids, Peptides, and significant amounts of Vitamin A, B1, B2, and C.

History/Folklore:

The Chinese White Mulberry (Morus alba) has played an essential role in the silk industry, serving as a vital food source for silkworms. Introduced to the United States during colonial times, it was used to establish an American silk industry. Both black and white mulberries exude a milky sap that congeals into a rubbery substance, believed to strengthen the silk strands produced by silkworms. It is traditionally thought that the Romans brought mulberries to England from Persia during their conquests, as documented in early Greek and Roman texts. Notably, mulberries feature in the tragic myth of Pyramus and Thisbe, where the fruit's color transformed from white to red, forever stained by the lovers' blood as they met their fate beneath a mulberry tree.

Mulberries' historical significance is further showcased by Charlemagne's order in 812 AD, which included them on a list of useful plants to be cultivated on imperial farms. In later years, King James I of England encouraged their cultivation to boost England's silk production, mistakenly promoting the growth of Black Mulberries instead of White Mulberries, whose leaves are the preferred diet of silkworms, thus adversely affecting silk quality. The oldest recorded mulberry tree in England is located at Syon House in Brentford, believed to have been imported from Persia and planted by the botanist Turner.

In China, each part of the mulberry tree has unique therapeutic benefits. The berries are often bottled as beverages aimed at boosting immunity and promoting health, while the bark can be honey-fried to alleviate coughing and wheezing. High-quality bark should be thick, powdery, and white. Additionally, the leaves can be used for external washing treatments for eye issues, with good-quality leaves being characterized as large and crisp, exhibiting a yellow-green color.

Culturally, the mulberry tree is steeped in symbolism. In various Chinese traditions, it is revered as the "World Tree" or Kóng Sang, a hermaphrodite tree believed to predate the duality of Yin and Yang. This tree embodies the Tao, serving as a representation of the cosmic order. Its connection with the Tao has shaped the concept of sacred mulberry groves, known as Sang Lin, often planted outside the early royal capitals of China. Furthermore, the mulberry tree is commonly found in Islamic sanctuaries and along Arab pilgrimage routes, symbolizing abundance across multiple cultures.

There are notable differences between black and white mulberries. Black mulberries are notably juicier and possess a sweet-sour flavor, whereas white mulberries are primarily sweet, though they lack the tanginess found in their black counterparts. The leaves of black mulberries have a dense, hairy underside, in contrast to the glossy upper surface of white mulberry leaves. The fruit and bark of black mulberries are utilized for various purposes, while white mulberries are deemed more beneficial medicinally, containing higher fiber and nutritional content. Additionally, white mulberries have shown the ability to improve hemoglobin A1C levels, a marker for long-term blood sugar control in individuals with diabetes.