Useful properties and contraindications of the mulberry tree
 Mulberry: characteristics and beneficial properties of leaves and fruits

Mulberry is a valuable human culture, whose beneficial properties are mainly attributed to the production of silk.

However, few people know that no less the fruits and leaves of the plant have valuable properties. They are widely used in cooking, traditional medicine and cosmeceuticals.

Known homeopathic remedies are boiled out of the fruit, and the extract from the leaves is included in the composition of medical preparations.

General characteristics of the mulberry tree where it grows, what it looks like

Mulberry is a plant from the Mulberry family and the Mulberry family, consisting of 17 common species. These are fast-growing deciduous trees that reach 10 to 15 m in height.

The average lifespan of mulberry trees is 200 years, individual plants are known to be 300-500 years old.

Mulberry is also called mulberry or “royal tree”. Depending on the color of the bark and stems produce white, black and red mulberry.

The history of white mulberry, known to man, begins in ancient China from the Neolithic times. At this time, for the first time, they found durable shiny threads from a cocoon of a worm that feeds on tree leaves. Subsequently, the threads were called silk and wood mulberry.

Gradually, the culture spread to the countries of the Transcaucasus and Central Asia. The homeland of red mulberry is North America, and black southwest Asia.

 Depending on the color of the bark and stems, white, black and red mulberries are distinguished.
Depending on the color of the bark and stems, white, black and red mulberries are distinguished.

The natural area where the tree grows, zones with a warm temperate and subtropical climate. These are countries in Asia, Africa and North America. In Russia culture is grown in the southern regionsrarely winter-hardy varieties grow in the middle lane.

What do the fruits look like? Mulberry fruit up to 2-3 cm in length, depending on the type dark purple, black, white and red.

These are sweet berries with long aftertaste and specific aroma. The appearance of the fruit strongly resembles a blackberry.

Mulberry has a high yield. On average, from one tree is collected from 100 to 300 kg of berries.

Mulberry fruits are absolutely not transportable and do not tolerate long-term storage. Therefore, overseas of their range fall only in the processed form.

Useful properties and benefits of berries and leaves of mulberry

In ancient treatises and writings one can find a large number of references to the useful and healing properties of different parts of the mulberry. Today they are confirmed by numerous studies of the chemical composition of wood.

Nutritional value of fruits (100 g):

  • carbohydrate 9.8 g;
  • proteins 1.44 g;
  • fat 0.39 g;
  • water 87.68 g

Energy value of 43 kcal. Product carbohydrates are divided into sugars (8.1 g) and dietary fiber (1.7 g).

A small amount of calories, healthy sugars and the presence of dietary fiber make mulberry fruit attractive for diet.

 Mulberries contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, and only 43 calories
Mulberries contain a lot of vitamins and minerals, and only 43 calories

Besides fruits contain organic acids (1.2 g): Apple and lemon. The main function of these substances is to improve digestion.

They stimulate peristalsis and juice secretion in the gastrointestinal tract, regulate the structure of the stool, inhibit the development of putrefactive processes in the digestive organs.

Macro elements:

  • potassium 194 mg;
  • calcium 39 mg;
  • phosphorus 38 mg;
  • magnesium 18 mg;
  • sodium 10 mg.

Fruits contain iron, copper and zinc.

All macronutrients from the mulberry composition are necessary for human life. They regulate water and electrolyte balance and the cycle of heart contractions, participate in the renewal and growth of bone tissue.

Stable intake of these substances will be beneficial: they support mental activity, muscle contraction and energy potential of a person. These properties are especially useful for children and older people.

Vitamins:

  • ascorbic acid (C) 10 mg;
  • Niacin (B3) 0.620 mg;
  • Riboflavin (B2) 0.01 mg;
  • thiamine (B1) 0.029 mg;
  • folic acid (B9) 6 μg;
  • phylloquinone (K) 7.8 mcg;
  • retinol (A) 1 µg.
 Mulberry fruits contain vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, A, folic acid
Mulberry fruits contain vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, A, folic acid

Thiamine promotes stable supply of brain glucose, improves memory. Riboflavin is beneficial for the structures of the eyes, niacin prevents nervous stress.

Vitamin B9 promotes nucleic acid synthesis, cell division and the formation of red blood cells.

Vitamin C one of the most significant antioxidantswhich protects the body from environmental toxins. Ascorbic acid has anti-inflammatory and antipyretic properties.

Regular and proper use of fruits strengthens the immune system, promotes mental work, increases endurance of the body. Therefore, they are recommended for the diet of active people and when the body is depleted after prolonged illness.

The leaves of the plant contain rare set of nutrients that makes them no less valuable than the fruit. Their composition contains:

  • tannins;
  • flavonoids;
  • organic acids;
  • resins;
  • essential oils;
  • β-sitosterol, capersterol;
  • vitamins of group B, C.
In folk medicine, sugar-reducing, multivitamin and fortifying agents are prepared from the leaves.

Mulberry leaves relieve pain and swelling in the inflamed joints. To do this, they are simply applied to the affected area for 30 minutes, 3-5 times a day.

Infusion of the leaves are treated brain spasms, taking 100 ml of the drug 3 times a day.

Mulberry - the tree of life:

Contraindications and harm to the body mulberry

The fruits of mulberry are contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity of the body. Even minimal use may cause severe allergic reaction.

For the same reason they are not recommended for children under 1 year. After this age, in order to minimize harm, the product is introduced into the child's diet gradually.

Restriction in use It is recommended for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and ulcerative and acute pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract are contraindicated. In case of any chronic diseases, consultation of a physician is necessary before use.

The fruits of mulberry should not be eaten on an empty stomach, washed down with cold water and mixed with other products.

 Mulberry berries can cause allergies, they can not be consumed on an empty stomach, drink cold water
Mulberry berries can cause allergies, they can not be consumed on an empty stomach, drink cold water

Use in traditional medicine, medicinal properties

On average, mulberry fruits contain 4.5% iron. This is one of the main participants in blood formation. These properties of vitamin K and copper significantly enhance these properties. Therefore, they are used to treat and prevent anemia and blood disorders.

The high content of vitamins of group B in the fruits and leaves of mulberry makes them a valuable drug for the treatment of type II diabetes.For therapy, take an infusion of fruit or leaves 100 ml 3 times a day.

Fatty acids, essential oils and tannins of fruits allow you to deal with pathologies of the digestive tract:

  • colitis;
  • diarrhea;
  • dysbacteriosis.

For treatment, use the juice or infusion of fruit 100 ml 3 times a day.

The aggregate percentage of mineral salts has a therapeutic effect when:

  • atherosclerosis;
  • coronary heart disease;
  • tachycardias, arrhythmias;
  • myocardial dystrophy;
  • hypertension;
  • heart defects.

For the treatment of these diseases can use juice or infusion of mulberry fruits. Apply 300 ml of funds per day for 14 days.

 Infusions and fruit juice are used to treat a variety of diseases.
Infusions and fruit juice are used to treat a variety of diseases.

The chemical composition of the fruit dilutes sputum, removes toxins and blood particles from the bronchopulmonary tract. The pronounced anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and diaphoretic properties greatly facilitate the course of bacterial and viral infections.

Therefore, they are used to treat:

  • chronic cough;
  • tracheitis;
  • bronchitis;
  • tracheobronchitis;
  • SARS, colds, flu.

For the treatment of these pathologies apply doshab. For this, 1 tbsp. l means dissolved in 100 ml of milk at room temperature.Before use, the product is diluted in 100 ml of hot milk. Take 3 times a day.

How to cook a mulberry mulberry doshab:

Herbal remedies from the fruit used for the treatment of inflammatory processes in the oral cavity: stomatitis, gingivitis, periostitis. For this infusion of the fruits of mulberry rinse the mouth 4-5 times a day.

Infusions and juices from the fruit are recommended as a general tonic for children susceptible to rickets. To do this, they use 100 ml 3 times a day.

Fruits of white mulberry contain rare phytoalexin - resveratrol. The substance has a neuroprotective and anticarcinogenic effect.

These properties of the fruit are useful for people with cancer and pathologies associated with damage to brain neurons.

Recipes from fruits and leaves

From the mulberry fruit squeeze juice, boil doshab, infusions, compotes, jams and jams. The leaves are used for the preparation of medicinal herbal remedies and compresses.

Medical recipes:

  1. Infusion of fruits. Crushed raw materials (100 g) insist in boiling water (0.5 l) for 5 hours.
  2. The juice. The fruits are pressed under the press. For each liter of juice, add 100 g of sugar and 1 tbsp. llemon juice and simmer for 5 minutes. Poured into sterilized jars and roll covers.
  3. Infusion of leaves. Fresh crushed raw material (1 tbsp. L.) Is poured with water (250 ml) and stripped in a water bath for 15 minutes. Means insist 3 hours, filter and bring the volume to the original.
  4. Doshab. Fresh fruits (10 kg) are poured with water (0.5 l) and boiled on low heat for 1 hour. Berry mass fray through a sieve, boil the extracted juice to obtain a thick syrup.
 From the fruits and leaves of mulberry do medicinal infusions, juice and doshab
From the fruits and leaves of mulberry do medicinal infusions, juice and doshab

Recipes:

  1. Jam. Washed and dried fruits (2 kg) are spread in a wide container, covered with sugar (2 kg) and left to stand until juice appears. After that, the fruit is heated over low heat until sugar is dissolved and boil for 10 minutes, removing the foam. The jam is heated 3 times. The last time half of the syrup is poured into a separate container. The finished product is sterilized by the usual method.
  2. Jelly. To prepare the dessert from the fruit squeeze the juice, as in the preparation of the doshab. Pectin (10 g) is added to the juice (0.75 l), brought to a boil, and sugar (600 g) is added. After that, the jelly is kept on the plate for 2-3 minutes and poured into prepared jars. Tanks with the product are sterilized and rolled up.
  3. Compote. First, boil the syrup at the rate of 1 liter of water with 150 g of sugar.Sterilized jars filled with fruits at 1/3 and pour hot syrup. Lidded, turned over and after cooling, removed to the place of storage.
  4. Mulberry in sugar. The washed fruits are laid out in small jars, lining each layer with sugar. For 1.5 kg of berries will need 250 grams of sugar.

Mulberry jam:

Mulberry fruits can also be dried.. To obtain dried berries, it is better to use natural natural conditions: sun rays and wind. To do this, the fruit is laid out on a dry surface, covering the night with a film.

Mulberry fruits will retain up to 90-95% of useful properties during deep freezing. To do this, they need to lay out one layer on a baking sheet and place in the freezer, setting the lowest temperature. After 10-12 hours, the fruit can be placed in a convenient container.

Proper use during pregnancy

Mulberry berries contain many useful components necessary for the health of a pregnant woman and fetal development.

During pregnancy, for the nutrition of the uterus and fetus in the body significantly increases the volume of circulating blood. Therefore, the need for iron increases several times, substance deficiency causes anemia.

Regular consumption of mulberry fruits will help prevent this complication.

The appearance of serious complications during pregnancy - varicose veins, preeclampsia, hemorrhoids - is associated with an increased weight, pressure of the uterus on the vessels and an increase in body fluids.

Deal with these problems will help macronutrients from the fruit. In addition, they are necessary for the strength of bone tissue, the load on which during this period increases.

Intake of macronutrients is also important for the fetus.. These are the main regulators of growth and cell division during the formation of organs and structures of the unborn child.

 Mulberry berries contain many useful components necessary for the health of a pregnant woman and fetal development
Mulberry berries contain many useful components necessary for the health of a pregnant woman and fetal development

Numerous stresses associated with caring for a small child, help to reduce lactation. Stable phosphorus intake will help strengthen the nervous system, and resveratrol to resist viral and bacterial infections.

Phytogenesis from fruits and leaves of a mulberry will be useful for constipation, edema and catarrhal diseases. They will help avoid unwanted use of chemicals during pregnancy and lactation.

Receipt of nutrients from a dietary source will prevent weight gain, which in turn leads to many complications.

During pregnancy, the fruit of the mulberry can be consumed no more than 300 g per day. More cautious about this issue should be approached when feeding.

First you need to pass the test. For this use 1 tsp. and monitor the reaction of the body of the baby. If allergic reactions and gastrointestinal disorders are absent, the norm can be increased to 100 g.

High productivity, a large number of useful properties and culinary appeal: such characteristics contribute to the gradual spread of the mulberry tree beyond the natural range.

Today, the tree is increasingly to be found in the middle regions of gardening. This means that with a full understanding of the characteristics of the culture can be grown in its own orchard.