MEDICINAL PLANTS

The mulberry tree is much smaller than the morality in all its parts: the leaves are considerably smaller, thinner, paler green color, the fruit, ie berries, are also smaller and less juicy, not so delicious to taste like berries of the mulberry. It breeds mainly in orchards and irrigation and even in areas without irrigation, rain generously provided. It is native to Central Asia and was introduced to Europe long after the moral.

FLOWERING

Flowers in spring and the berries ripen in summer. Mainly interested in harvesting the bark, fruit and leaves, the latter are better for raising silkworms that leaves moral because they are more plentiful and tender and seek higher-quality silk, which does not mean that lack of mulberry leaves can be used not the moral. As for fruit, we discussed the clear disadvantage compared with the berries of the variety nigra (called moral), however, has also been used and therefore cited in this chapter.

APPLICATIONS

In the leaves of mulberry forms calcium carbonate and abundant tannin. But its composition varies widely depending on the season in question. In other times and distant from the root bark and leaves were even used as a diuretic. It is said that also contain vermifuge properties. The berries were used as emollients in respiratory catarrh. But all these uses in medical practice have now fallen into oblivion. Perhaps in this case is clearly seen how two similar species of which can overshadow the other, so much so that the most disadvantaged is forgotten, however, our friends silkworms mulberry appreciate that is not used more as food that you, as these animals, given the choice, no doubt prefer the leaves of mulberry.

ADMINISTRATION

Infusion. Pour a handful of fresh leaves in a quart of boiling water and leave to infuse until the liquid is mild, then filter and drink the tea in small glasses throughout the day. It is effective to promote urination.
Poultice. To relieve itching and discomfort of these disorders, you take a handful of leaves, washed, dried and put into a saucepan with a tablespoon or two of water, heat the liquid to the evaporation and the leaves are spread on a gauze, itch a little to be oozing smoke and heat are applied on the affected part.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Moraceae
HABITAT: Central Asia
FLOWERING: Spring
PART USED: Bark, leaves and fruit
CASTILIAN: Morera blanca
CATALAN: Morera de cucs
BASQUE: Masustabe, parra
GALICIAN: Moreira branca

USES

Diuretic Moderate, Moderate vermifuge, Mild Emollient.