Herb Leaf (叶 yè)

Sang Ye

Mulberry leaf · 桑叶

Morus alba L. · Folium Mori

Also known as: Shuang Sang Ye (霜桑叶, frost mulberry leaf), Dong Sang Ye (冬桑叶, winter mulberry leaf), Tie Shan Zi (铁扇子),

Sang Ye (Mulberry leaf) plant

Images shown are for educational purposes only

Mulberry leaf is a gentle, cooling herb commonly used for colds and flu with sore throat and headache, dry coughs, and red or irritated eyes. It is one of the key herbs for managing the early stages of respiratory infections caused by Wind-Heat, and is also valued for its ability to soothe the eyes and calm a rising Liver. Modern research has explored its potential for supporting healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Category Cool, acrid herbs that release the Exterior (辛凉解表药)
Therapeutic focus Respiratory Health Eye Health and Vision Immune Support Blood Sugar Support

TCM Properties

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels entered

Lungs, Liver

Parts used

Leaf (叶 yè)

Available in our store
View in Store
From $20.00

Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment

What This Herb Does

Every herb has a specific set of actions — here's what Sang Ye does in the body, explained in both everyday and TCM terms

Therapeutic focus

In practical terms, Sang Ye is primarily used to support these areas of health:

Respiratory Health Eye Health and Vision Immune Support Blood Sugar Support

TCM Actions

In TCM terminology, these are the specific therapeutic actions that Sang Ye performs to restore balance in the body:

Disperses Wind-Heat Clears Heat and Moistens the Lungs Clears Liver Heat and Brightens the Eyes Calms the Liver and Subdues Yang Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding

How these actions work

'Disperses Wind-Heat' means Sang Ye helps the body expel an external pathogenic influence that combines wind and heat, the kind that causes the common cold or flu with fever, sore throat, and headache. Because it is light in nature and cold in temperature, it gently opens the body's surface layer to release this trapped heat. It is considered a mild Wind-Heat disperser, best suited for early-stage respiratory infections where cough is more prominent than high fever.

'Clears the Lungs and moistens dryness' refers to Sang Ye's ability to address a dry, irritated Lung system. When the autumn climate or a hot pathogen dries out the Lungs, the result is a harsh dry cough with little or no phlegm, a dry throat, and thirst. Sang Ye's bitter and sweet taste, combined with its cold temperature, clears the heat while gently moistening the Lungs. This is why it serves as the lead herb in the classical formula Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (Rescue the Lungs from Dryness Decoction).

'Clears the Liver and brightens the eyes' means this herb can reduce excess heat or fire in the Liver system, which in TCM is closely connected to eye health. When Liver fire flares upward, it can cause red, swollen, painful eyes and headaches. Sang Ye enters the Liver channel and clears this fire. For Liver Yin deficiency with blurry vision, it can be combined with nourishing herbs like black sesame and goji berry. 'Calms Liver Yang' refers to its ability to settle a pattern where Liver Yang rises excessively, causing dizziness, headache, and irritability. 'Cools the Blood and stops bleeding' is a milder action of Sang Ye, used in cases of vomiting blood due to Blood Heat.

Patterns Addressed

In TCM, symptoms cluster into recognizable patterns of disharmony. Sang Ye is used to help correct these specific patterns.

Why Sang Ye addresses this pattern

When Wind-Heat attacks the body's exterior and invades the Lung system, the result is fever, headache, sore throat, and cough. Sang Ye is sweet, bitter, and cold, entering the Lung channel. Its light, ascending nature allows it to gently disperse Wind-Heat from the body's surface and upper body while its cold temperature clears Lung heat. Although its dispersing power is relatively mild compared to herbs like Bo He (mint), it excels specifically at clearing and calming the Lungs, making it the preferred choice when cough is the dominant symptom in a Wind-Heat pattern.

A practitioner would look for one or more of these signs

Fever

Low-grade fever with slight chills

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Cough, often with yellow or sticky phlegm

Sore Throat
Headaches

Headache at the front or top of the head

Commonly Used For

These are conditions where Sang Ye is frequently used — but only when they arise from the specific patterns it addresses, not in all cases

Arises from: Wind-Heat invading the Lungs

TCM Interpretation

In TCM, the common cold is understood as an invasion of external pathogenic factors through the body's surface defenses. The Wind-Heat type of cold features fever that is more prominent than chills, sore throat, headache, and cough with yellow or sticky phlegm. The pathogen enters through the Lung system, which governs the body's surface and respiratory function. The Lungs lose their ability to properly disperse and descend Qi, leading to cough, nasal congestion, and a sense of stuffiness.

Why Sang Ye Helps

Sang Ye is sweet, bitter, and cold, entering the Lung channel directly. Its light nature allows it to gently disperse Wind-Heat from the body's surface and upper body without being excessively harsh. It is particularly well-suited when cough is the dominant symptom, because it not only releases the exterior pathogen but also specifically calms and cools the Lung system. This is why the classical formula Sang Ju Yin uses Sang Ye as its primary herb for early-stage Wind-Heat colds where cough is prominent.

Also commonly used for

Hypochondrial Pain That Is Worse On Coughing And Breathing

Dry cough from Lung heat or dryness

Dry Eyes

From Liver Yin deficiency or overwork

Dizziness

From Liver Yang rising or Liver fire

Headaches

Wind-Heat or Liver fire headache

Night Sweats

Classical use of frost-picked mulberry leaf for night sweats

Diabetes

Supportive use for blood sugar regulation

High Cholesterol

Modern research supports lipid-lowering effects

Herb Properties

Every herb has an inherent temperature, taste, and affinity for specific channels — these properties determine how it interacts with the body

Temperature

Cold

Taste

Sweet (甘 gān), Bitter (苦 kǔ)

Channels Entered

Lungs Liver

Parts Used

Leaf (叶 yè)

Dosage & Preparation

These are general dosage guidelines for Sang Ye — always follow your practitioner's recommendation, as dosages vary based on the formula and your individual condition

Standard dosage

5-10g

Maximum dosage

Up to 15-20g in decoction for acute Wind-Heat or Lung dryness conditions, under practitioner guidance.

Dosage notes

Use lower doses (5-6g) when the primary goal is gentle dispersal of Wind-Heat in mild common colds. Use the standard range (6-10g) for clearing Lung heat and dryness, calming Liver Yang, or brightening the eyes. Higher doses (10-15g) may be used for more pronounced Lung dryness with cough or for Liver fire with red, painful eyes. Honey-processed Sang Ye (蜜桑叶) is preferred when the focus is on moistening Lung dryness, while raw (unprocessed) Sang Ye is better for dispersing external Wind-Heat and clearing Liver fire.

Processing Methods

In TCM, the same herb can be prepared in different ways to change its effects — here's how processing alters what Sang Ye does

Processing method

Clean mulberry leaves are mixed with refined honey and a small amount of boiling water, allowed to absorb briefly, then stir-fried over low heat until no longer sticky. The typical ratio is about 20 kg of honey per 100 kg of leaves.

How it changes properties

Honey processing shifts the herb's character toward being more moistening and slightly less cold. It enhances the Lung-moistening and dryness-relieving action while softening its dispersing effect. The sweet, moistening quality of honey supports Lung Yin nourishment.

When to use this form

Use the honey-fried form when the primary concern is dryness-type Lung conditions such as dry cough with little phlegm from warm-dryness injuring the Lungs. It is preferred over the raw form when the goal is moistening rather than dispersing exterior Wind-Heat.

Common Herb Pairs

These ingredients are traditionally combined with Sang Ye for enhanced therapeutic effect

Ju Hua
Ju Hua Sang Ye 7.5g : Ju Hua 3g (as in Sang Ju Yin), or 1:1 for eye conditions

Sang Ye and Ju Hua (chrysanthemum) are one of the most classic herb pairs in TCM. Both are sweet, bitter, and cold, and both enter the Lung and Liver channels. Together they powerfully disperse Wind-Heat and clear heat from both the Lungs and the Liver. Neither herb alone matches their combined ability to simultaneously address respiratory symptoms (fever, cough, sore throat) and eye/head symptoms (red eyes, headache, dizziness).

When to use: Use for Wind-Heat colds with prominent headache and eye symptoms, or for Liver fire causing red eyes and headache. This pair forms the core of the formula Sang Ju Yin.

Xing Ren
Xing Ren Sang Ye 3g : Xing Ren 4.5g (as in Sang Xing Tang)

Sang Ye disperses and clears Lung heat from above while Xing Ren (apricot kernel) descends Lung Qi from below. Together they restore the Lung's natural dispersing-and-descending function: Sang Ye opens the top and clears dryness-heat, Xing Ren redirects Qi downward to stop coughing. This is a classic 'one up, one down' pairing for the Lung system.

When to use: Use for dry cough due to warm-dryness injuring the Lungs, or for early-stage Wind-Heat colds with prominent cough. This pair is the core of Sang Xing Tang.

Hei Zhi Ma
Hei Zhi Ma Sang Ye 1 part : Hei Zhi Ma 0.25–0.5 parts (Sang Ma Wan uses a 4:1 ratio of Sang Ye to Hei Zhi Ma)

Sang Ye clears the Liver and brightens the eyes while Hei Zhi Ma (black sesame) nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin and replenishes Blood and essence. Together they address both the branch (Liver heat or dryness) and the root (Yin and Blood deficiency). This combination can address blurry vision, premature graying, and dry skin from Liver-Kidney Yin deficiency.

When to use: Use for Liver Yin deficiency causing blurry vision, dry eyes, premature gray hair, or dry itchy skin. These two herbs are combined in the classical Sang Ma Wan (Mulberry Sesame Pill).

Shi Gao
Shi Gao Sang Ye 9g : Shi Gao 7.5–8g (as in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang, where Sang Ye is deliberately used in higher dose than Shi Gao)

Sang Ye lightly disperses and clears Lung dryness from the surface while Shi Gao (gypsum) powerfully clears interior heat. Together, Sang Ye handles the exterior and upper aspect of Lung heat while Shi Gao clears deeper heat. This creates a layered strategy: gentle dispersal above, strong heat-clearing below, without the heaviness of Shi Gao alone blocking the Lung's dispersing function.

When to use: Use for warm-dryness injuring the Lungs with significant interior heat, as seen in Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang. Appropriate when there is dry cough with thirst, irritability, and signs of both exterior and interior heat.

Key Formulas

These well-known formulas feature Sang Ye in a prominent role

Sang Ju Yin 桑菊飲 King

Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction) from Wu Jutong's Wen Bing Tiao Bian is the most iconic formula featuring Sang Ye. As the King herb at the highest dose (7.5g), Sang Ye drives the formula's primary action of dispersing Wind-Heat and clearing the Lungs. This formula perfectly showcases Sang Ye's dual ability to release the exterior while calming the Lung, and is the go-to prescription for early-stage Wind-Heat colds where cough is the leading symptom.

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang 清燥救肺湯 King

Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang (Rescue the Lungs from Dryness Decoction) from Yu Chang's Yi Men Fa Lu uses Sang Ye as the King herb at the highest dose (9g, more than the stone gypsum). This formula treats warm-dryness severely injuring the Lungs with Qi and Yin damage. It showcases Sang Ye's ability to lightly disperse Lung dryness-heat without further injuring fluids, a unique property that the classical commentary specifically highlights.

Sang Xing Tang 桑杏湯 King

Sang Xing Tang (Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Kernel Decoction) from Wen Bing Tiao Bian treats the lighter form of warm-dryness affecting the Lungs. Sang Ye pairs with Xing Ren as the formula's lead combination, demonstrating the herb's core lung-clearing and dryness-moistening action in a gentler clinical scenario than Qing Zao Jiu Fei Tang.

Comparable Ingredients

These ingredients have overlapping uses — here's how to tell them apart

Ju Hua
Sang Ye vs Ju Hua

Both Sang Ye and Ju Hua disperse Wind-Heat and clear the Liver to benefit the eyes, with similar temperature (cold) and channel entry (Lung, Liver). The key difference is that Sang Ye is stronger at clearing and moistening the Lungs, making it the better choice when cough or Lung dryness is prominent. Ju Hua is better at calming Liver Yang and subduing Liver wind, and is preferred when dizziness, tremor, or eye symptoms dominate. They are often used together because their strengths are complementary.

Bo He
Sang Ye vs Bo He

Both are acrid-cool herbs that release exterior Wind-Heat. Bo He (mint) is stronger at dispersing the exterior, relieving sore throat, and venting rashes, making it the better choice when exterior symptoms (high fever, body aches, skin rashes) are prominent. Sang Ye is gentler at dispersal but stronger at clearing the Lungs and the Liver, so it is preferred when cough, Lung dryness, or eye problems are the main concern. Bo He is also warm-dispersing despite being cool, while Sang Ye is more purely cooling and moistening.

Sang Bai Pi
Sang Ye vs Sang Bai Pi

Both come from the mulberry tree but have different properties and uses. Sang Bai Pi (mulberry root bark) is sweet and cold, entering only the Lung channel, and is primarily used to drain Lung heat, stop cough and wheezing, and promote urination to reduce edema. It works deeper in the Lung for conditions with hot phlegm. Sang Ye is lighter and more surface-oriented, dispersing Wind-Heat and addressing Lung dryness rather than Lung phlegm-heat. Sang Ye also enters the Liver channel for eye and headache conditions, which Sang Bai Pi does not.

Common Substitutes & Adulterants

Related species and common adulterations to be aware of when sourcing Sang Ye

Sang Ye is generally abundant and inexpensive, so deliberate adulteration is relatively uncommon. However, leaves from other Morus species (such as Morus australis, the chicken mulberry) or from closely related trees may occasionally be mixed in with genuine Morus alba leaves. The key distinguishing features of authentic Sang Ye are the ovate leaf shape with serrated margins, fine hairs on the veins of the underside, and characteristic cystolith cells (钟乳体) visible under microscopic examination. Leaves collected before frost (non-medicinal grade) are sometimes sold as medicinal Sang Ye but are considered inferior in quality and therapeutic effect. Always verify that leaves are frost-collected (霜后采收) for medicinal use.

Educational content — always consult a qualified healthcare provider or TCM practitioner before using any herb.

Toxicity Classification

Classical Chinese pharmacopoeia toxicity rating for Sang Ye

Non-toxic

Sang Ye is classified as non-toxic in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and is also listed as both a food and a medicine by China's National Health Commission. One historical source, the Ben Cao Gang Mu, noted "slightly toxic" (有小毒), but this is not reflected in modern pharmacopoeia classification or clinical experience at standard doses. Animal toxicity studies have found that Morus alba leaf extract has a very high safety margin; however, one systematic review noted that at very high experimental doses (2000 mg/kg of concentrated extract in animals), mild effects on the blood-forming system (moderate anaemia) were observed. At standard decoction doses used in clinical practice, no toxicity concerns have been reported.

Contraindications

Situations where Sang Ye should not be used or requires extra caution

Caution

Spleen and Stomach deficiency cold (脾胃虚寒): Sang Ye is bitter and cold in nature. People with a cold, weak digestive system who tend toward loose stools or diarrhea should use this herb with caution, as its cooling nature can further weaken digestion.

Caution

Profuse sweating due to Yang deficiency or Qi deficiency: Although classical texts note Sang Ye can stop sweating (particularly night sweats), its cold dispersing nature is not suitable for sweating caused by underlying Yang or Qi collapse, where warming and consolidating herbs are needed instead.

Caution

Wind-Cold exterior patterns: Sang Ye disperses Wind-Heat specifically. It should not be used for common colds caused by Wind-Cold invasion (chills, body aches, clear runny nose), as its cold nature would worsen the condition.

Caution

Concurrent use with hypoglycemic medications without medical supervision: Mulberry leaf has documented blood-sugar-lowering effects that may add to the effects of diabetes medications, potentially causing blood sugar to drop too low.

Special Populations

Important considerations for pregnancy, breastfeeding, and pediatric use

Pregnancy

Generally considered safe at standard decoction doses. Sang Ye is a mild, non-toxic herb with food-grade status in China and no traditional prohibitions during pregnancy. However, its cold nature means it should be used judiciously and not in excessive doses during pregnancy, particularly for women with cold-type constitutions or a tendency toward loose stools. There are no reports of uterine stimulation or teratogenic effects. As with all herbs during pregnancy, use under the guidance of a qualified practitioner is recommended.

Breastfeeding

No specific safety concerns have been documented for breastfeeding. Sang Ye is classified as both food and medicine in China and has a long history of safe consumption as a tea beverage. Its mild, non-toxic nature and food-grade safety profile suggest low risk during breastfeeding at standard doses. However, as it is cold in nature, excessive use could theoretically affect digestion in a nursing mother or infant. Use standard doses and consult a practitioner if in doubt.

Children

Sang Ye is mild and non-toxic with food-grade safety status, making it generally suitable for children. Dosage should be reduced proportionally based on age and body weight, typically one-third to one-half the adult dose for children under 12. As it is cold in nature, use with care in young children with weak digestion or a tendency to diarrhea. Mulberry leaf tea is widely consumed in East Asia as a health beverage and is considered safe for older children at moderate amounts.

Drug Interactions

If you are taking pharmaceutical medications, be aware of these potential interactions with Sang Ye

Hypoglycemic agents (metformin, sulfonylureas, acarbose, etc.): Mulberry leaf contains the alkaloid 1-deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), which inhibits alpha-glucosidase in the intestines in a manner pharmacologically similar to the drug acarbose. An animal study showed that extended mulberry leaf extract intake enhanced the blood-sugar-lowering effect of metformin by approximately 49% and delayed metformin's elimination by inhibiting the renal organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2). Patients taking diabetes medications should be monitored for additive hypoglycemic effects if also taking mulberry leaf preparations.

Other alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: Because mulberry leaf's 1-DNJ acts via the same mechanism as pharmaceutical alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, concurrent use may increase the risk of gastrointestinal side effects (bloating, flatulence, diarrhea) commonly associated with this drug class.

Dietary Advice

Foods and dietary considerations when taking Sang Ye

When taking Sang Ye for Wind-Heat or Lung dryness conditions, avoid greasy, fried, and overly spicy foods, which can generate internal Heat and counteract the herb's cooling effects. Light, easily digestible meals are preferred. When using Sang Ye for its eye-brightening or Liver-calming functions, avoid excessive alcohol, which inflames Liver fire. Since Sang Ye is cold in nature, people with sensitive digestion may benefit from eating warm, cooked foods rather than excessive cold or raw items during the course of treatment.

Botanical Description

Physical characteristics and morphology of the Sang Ye source plant

Morus alba L. (white mulberry) is a fast-growing deciduous tree or large shrub in the Moraceae (mulberry) family. It typically reaches 2 to 16 metres in height, with a straight, cylindrical trunk and a broad, rounded crown. The bark is greyish-brown and furrowed on mature specimens.

The leaves are the medicinal part. They are alternate, ovate to broadly ovate, 8 to 15 cm long and 7 to 13 cm wide, with a pointed tip, a heart-shaped or rounded base, and serrated or irregularly lobed margins. The upper surface is bright green and slightly glossy, while the underside is paler with fine hairs along the prominent veins. The tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in catkin-like clusters in spring, followed by dark purple or white composite fruits (mulberries) in early summer.

Mulberry trees are adaptable and hardy, tolerating drought, cold, and alkaline soils. They thrive in temperate to warm climates and have been cultivated across China for thousands of years, primarily for sericulture (silkworm rearing). The root system is deep and vigorous, and the tree has strong regenerative ability after pruning.

Sourcing & Harvesting

Where Sang Ye is sourced, when it's harvested or collected, and how to assess quality

Harvesting season

After the first frost (初霜后), typically in late October to November. Frost-touched leaves (霜桑叶) are considered therapeutically superior.

Primary growing regions

Sang Ye is produced across much of China. The recognized high-quality (dao di) production regions include Zhejiang province (especially Tongxiang), Jiangsu province (especially Nantong), Anhui province (especially Bozhou), and also Sichuan, Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi. Among these, the Jiangsu-Zhejiang area has the longest tradition of mulberry cultivation linked to the silk industry, and herbs from these humid, fertile lowland regions are generally considered premium. Anhui Bozhou is a major medicinal material trading hub with well-standardized drying and storage practices.

Quality indicators

Good quality Sang Ye consists of large, intact leaves that are thick and firm, yellowish-green in colour, and feel prickly or rough when grasped in the hand. The surface should be clean with no insect damage. The fragrance is mild and the taste is slightly bitter and astringent. Frost-touched leaves (霜桑叶) collected after the first frost are traditionally preferred as superior quality. Avoid leaves that are excessively broken, browned, mouldy, or thin and papery. When examining the dried leaf, the veins should be clearly visible and prominent on the underside.

Classical Texts

Key passages from the classical Chinese medical texts that describe Sang Ye and its therapeutic uses

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》)

Original: 桑叶除寒热，出汗。

Translation: Mulberry leaf eliminates alternating cold and heat, and promotes sweating.

Ben Cao Gang Mu (《本草纲目》, Li Shizhen)

Original: 桑叶乃手足阳明经之药，汁煎代茗能止消渴。治劳热咳嗽，明目，长发。

Translation: Mulberry leaf is a medicinal of the Hand and Foot Yangming channels. Its juice boiled as a tea drink can stop wasting-thirst (the classical term for diabetes-like symptoms). It treats consumptive heat with cough, brightens the eyes, and promotes hair growth.

Dan Xi Xin Fa (《丹溪心法》, Zhu Danxi)

Original: 焙干为末，空心米饮调服，止盗汗。

Translation: Dry-roast [mulberry leaf] to a powder and take on an empty stomach mixed with rice water to stop night sweats.

Ben Cao Cong Xin (《本草从新》)

Original: 滋燥，凉血，止血。

Translation: [Mulberry leaf] moistens dryness, cools the Blood, and stops bleeding.

Historical Context

The history and evolution of Sang Ye's use in Chinese medicine over the centuries

The mulberry tree (桑, Sāng) holds deep cultural significance in China, appearing in some of the oldest literary works. The Shi Jing (Book of Songs, c. 11th–7th century BCE) mentions mulberry cultivation in the context of sericulture, reflecting its central role in ancient agricultural life. The folk name for mulberry leaf, "Divine Immortal Leaf" (神仙叶), and its description in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing as "Divine Immortal Herb" (神仙草), reflect the high esteem in which it was held for promoting longevity and vitality.

In the classical medical tradition, mulberry leaf was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing for eliminating alternating fever and chills and promoting sweating. Over subsequent centuries its understood applications expanded considerably. By the Song dynasty, Zhu Danxi highlighted its use in stopping night sweats. Li Shizhen in the Ming-dynasty Ben Cao Gang Mu emphasized its ability to "stop wasting-thirst" (止消渴), a condition overlapping with modern diabetes, and noted it could treat consumptive cough and brighten the eyes. The Qing-dynasty Warm Disease school, particularly Wu Jutong in the Wen Bing Tiao Bian, made Sang Ye a cornerstone herb in Sang Ju Yin (Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Decoction) for treating the early stages of warm-febrile diseases attacking the Lung, and in Sang Xing Tang for autumn dryness affecting the Lung.

Traditionally, mulberry leaf collected after the first frost (霜桑叶, Shuāng Sāng Yè) is considered therapeutically superior. Classical texts from the Tu Jing Yan Yi Ben Cao onward specify frost-touched leaves, and this remains the standard in the modern Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In China, the mulberry tree is considered "treasure from root to crown": its leaf (Sang Ye), twig (Sang Zhi), fruit (Sang Shen), root bark (Sang Bai Pi), and even the parasitic mistletoe growing on it (Sang Ji Sheng) are all distinct and widely used medicines.

Modern Research

4 published studies investigating the pharmacological effects or clinical outcomes of Sang Ye

1

Meta-analysis of efficacy of Morus alba Linn. to improve blood glucose and lipid profile (2017)

Phimarn W, Wichaiyo K, Silpsavikul K, Sungthong B, Saramunee K. European Journal of Nutrition, 2017, 56(4): 1509-1521.

A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials (436 participants total) evaluated products derived from Morus alba on blood sugar and blood lipid levels. The analysis found that Morus alba significantly reduced postprandial (after-meal) blood glucose at 30, 60, and 90 minutes after a carbohydrate load, but did not significantly affect fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, or lipid markers. The authors concluded that mulberry-derived products can effectively contribute to reducing after-meal blood glucose spikes.

2

Morus alba L. for Blood Sugar Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2022)

Jiao X, Liu H, Lu Q, Wang Y, Zhao Y, Liu X, Liu F, Zuo Y, Wang W, Li Y. Journal of Diabetes Research, 2021, 2021: 9949302.

This systematic review and meta-analysis searched multiple databases for randomized controlled trials of Morus alba on blood sugar management in people with impaired glucose tolerance or type 2 diabetes. The results showed that Morus alba can reduce postprandial glucose and insulin levels, although the authors noted that more rigorous large-scale studies are needed before drawing definitive conclusions about its clinical effectiveness.

PubMed
3

Morus Alba leaf extract affects metabolic profiles, biomarkers inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A double-blind clinical trial (2022)

Taghizadeh M, Mohammad Zadeh A, Asemi Z, et al. Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, 2022, 49: 68-73.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 60 patients with type 2 diabetes who received either Morus alba extract (300mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. The mulberry extract group showed significant decreases in insulin levels and malondialdehyde (a marker of oxidative stress), and a significant increase in HDL cholesterol, compared to placebo. Other metabolic markers (fasting glucose, liver enzymes, inflammatory markers) were not significantly affected.

4

Extended Intake of Mulberry Leaf Extract Delayed Metformin Elimination via Inhibiting the Organic Cation Transporter 2 (2020, animal study)

Choi MK, Song IS. Molecules, 2020, 25(2): 297.

This preclinical study in diabetic rats found that three weeks of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) intake produced a blood-sugar-lowering effect on its own and also enhanced the blood-sugar-lowering effect of metformin by approximately 49%. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that MLE delayed the elimination of metformin from the body by inhibiting organic cation transporter 2 (OCT2) in the kidneys, effectively increasing metformin exposure. This suggests a potential herb-drug interaction that warrants clinical caution.

PubMed

Research on individual TCM herbs is growing but still limited by Western clinical trial standards. These studies provide emerging evidence and should be considered alongside practitioner expertise.