Sang Bai Pi
Morus alba L.
โฏ TCM Properties
Clears Lung Heat; Stops Cough and Calms Wheezing; Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema; Descends Lung Qi and Stops Cough
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Morus alba is a fast-growing deciduous tree in the Moraceae, native to northern and central China and now cultivated and naturalised across temperate and subtropical regions worldwide as the food plant of the silkworm. Trees commonly reach 10-20 m tall with a short, often crooked trunk, smooth grey-brown bark becoming rough and fissured with age, and a broad, spreading, rounded crown. The alternate leaves are highly variable in shape, from ovate and unlobed to deeply three- or five-lobed, 5-20 cm long, with serrate margins, glossy bright green upper surfaces and paler undersides. The species is usually dioecious; small greenish flowers are borne in short pendulous catkins, the male catkins slender and the female catkins shorter and denser. The aggregate fruit is a multiple drupe 1.5-3 cm long, ripening from white through pink to deep purple-black, sweet and juicy when ripe.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | โ | โ | โ |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
Sang Bai Pi (white mulberry root bark) is a cold, sweet herb that descends and clears Lung Qi. Its primary use is for cough and wheezing caused by Lung Heat โ the respiratory presentation with fever, yellow phlegm, and difficulty breathing. It also drains fluid accumulation from the Lungs and promotes urination to relieve facial and skin edema, particularly when swelling is associated with Lung dysfunction. Its gentle downward-directing action makes it broadly applicable in Lung Heat and fluid retention patterns.
Traditional American Uses
The Cherokee used an infusion of the bark for several purposes: taken internally for worms, taken to check dysentery, used as a purgative, and taken as a laxative. The fruit was also used as food (Hamel and Chiltoskey, 1975).
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.