White Mulberry: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage - Verywell Health

White mulberry (Morus alba) is a leafy tree native to Asia but now found worldwide. Studies indicate that its leaf or fruit extract may have beneficial effects on blood sugar, cholesterol, inflammation, and more. However, more research is needed to prove these effects.

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Uses of White Mulberry

Like many plant-based medicines, people may use white mulberry for several different reasons. But there are several studies assessing white mulberry for the following potential uses.

Diabetes

Several clinical studies suggest that mulberry leaves may affect blood glucose (sugar) levels. And this effect seems to be due to 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), one of the plant chemicals in white mulberry.

You may experience lower postprandial (after-meal) blood sugar within 30 minutes of taking a dose of DNJ-enriched mulberry leaves. A higher amount of DNJ was suggested after eating complex carbohydrates. Examples of foods with complex carbohydrates include:

• Legumes, such as peas and beans
• Starchy vegetables, like potatoes
• Whole-grain and fiber, like oatmeal

Participants in a small study also improved insulin with a DNJ dose with every meal. Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone in your body. It generally helps your muscles and fat take in sugar from your diet to use or store as energy. In diabetes, your body may not be making enough insulin or may not be responding to this hormone. So, there is a buildup of sugar in your body.

Results from another small study also suggested improved after-meal blood sugar levels with DNJ dosed three times daily for 12 weeks.

While these clinical trials are promising, large, well-designed studies are still necessary. Also, it's essential to focus on eating a balanced diet and getting exercise to improve insulin sensitivity.

Check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbs or supplements if you have diabetes and/or are taking insulin or other blood sugar–lowering medications. Significant side effects can occur when taking blood sugar–lowering herbs or supplements with diabetes medications.

High Cholesterol

A small study found DNJ-containing mulberry leaf supplement tablets taken three times daily before meals reduced levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (considered "bad" cholesterol) in 23 adults with dyslipidemia (abnormal blood cholesterol). High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (considered "good" cholesterol) also improved. Although the findings were positive, they were limited by a few factors.

One animal study found mulberry leaf extract lowered triglyceride levels. And a combination of mulberry leaf extract and mulberry fruit extract also lowered fasting (before-meal) blood sugar levels. It decreased weight gain in mice with obesity from a high-fat diet. This animal study suggests that mulberry may aid in treating obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a group of medical conditions that may raise your risk of heart-related problems (e.g., heart attack), diabetes, and stroke. These medical conditions may include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, abnormal blood cholesterol, and excess weight.

Like the studies for high blood sugar, these cholesterol-related studies are also somewhat promising. But large and well-designed human studies are still needed to confirm these results.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

According to a review, mulberry leaves may have some antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, particularly in people with mildly high cholesterol. For example, a small study suggested that DNJ-containing mulberry leaf tablets taken three times daily may lower 8-isoprostane and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

High amounts of 8-isoprostane are typically linked to oxidative injury and cell damage inside the body. High CRP levels result in inflammation (swelling) in the body.

And over time, high cholesterol is usually connected to an inflammatory medical condition called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of your arteries, which may increase your risk of heart-related problems—like heart attacks.

Large and well-designed studies are still needed to confirm this plant's effects on oxidative stress and inflammation.

What Are the Side Effects of White Mulberry?

As with all medications and supplements, side effects are possible with white mulberry.

Common Side Effects

There is limited data about white mulberry's safety. However, according to several clinical trials, common side effects may include:

• Bloatedness
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Gas
  

Severe Side Effects

According to a report, it might be possible to experience severe dehydration from gastroenteritis (stomach flu) caused by using white mulberry.

Severe allergic reaction is another serious side effect possible with any medication. Symptoms may include breathing difficulties, itchiness, and rash. 

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Call 911 and get medical help immediately if you're having a severe allergic reaction or any of your symptoms feel life-threatening.

Precautions

Your healthcare provider may advise against using white mulberry if any of the following applies to you:

• Severe allergic reaction: If you have a severe allergic reaction to white mulberry or its components (ingredients), you shouldn't take this medication.
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding: With only a small number of human studies on white mulberry, there is limited data on the effectiveness and safety of white mulberry in pregnancy and breastfeeding. So, caution is recommended. To discuss the benefits and risks of white mulberry while pregnant or breastfeeding, reach out to your healthcare provider.
• Children: Limited effectiveness and safety information exists for white mulberry's use in children. So, caution is recommended. If you're considering white mulberry for your child, have a conversation with your child's pediatrician first.
• Older adults over 65: With only a few human studies on white mulberry, there is little effectiveness and safety data on its effect on older adults. Since older adults usually are more sensitive to medication side effects. For this reason, take white mulberry with caution.

Dosage: How Much White Mulberry Should I Take?

While there are some small studies on white mulberry, larger and well-designed studies are still needed. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to take white mulberry for any condition.

In studies, mulberry leaf supplement pills were given three times daily with meals. The pills may vary in the amount of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a plant chemical in white mulberry, they contain. The recommended DNJ amount may vary depending on the intended potential benefit or use.

If you want to try white mulberry, talk with your healthcare provider first. And follow their suggestions or the label instructions.

What Happens If I Take Too Much White Mulberry?

There is a limited number of studies on white mulberry use in humans, but this plant usually is considered minimally toxic to humans and animals.

A case report revealed that white mulberry can cause severe dehydration from gastroenteritis. And in this case report, severe dehydration did result in death.

Interactions

Use caution when taking white mulberry with the following:

• Cholesterol medications: White mulberry may lower your cholesterol. It also may increase the effects (called additive effects) of cholesterol medications, as well as increase the side effects of your cholesterol-lowering medications, such as Lipitor (atorvastatin).
• Diabetes medications: White mulberry may lower your blood sugar levels. It also may increase the effects of your diabetes medications, like insulin. If your blood sugar is too low, you may experience excessive tiredness and sweating.

It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.

How to Store White Mulberry

Storage instructions may vary for different products. Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container. Keep your medications tightly closed and out of the reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet. Try to store your medications in a cool and dry place.

Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging. Avoid pouring unused and expired medicines down the drain or in the toilet. Visit the FDA's website to learn where and how to discard all unused and expired medicines. You can also find disposal boxes in your area.

Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions you may have about the best ways to dispose of your medications or supplements.

Similar Supplements

Several other herbs and supplements may impact blood sugar or cholesterol levels. Be sure to discuss the use of any of these with your healthcare provider to prevent unintended additive effects.

In general, mulberry is in the Morus genus, which consists of 10 species of trees, including the white mulberry. The following Morus species may also have similar potential uses as the white mulberry:

• Morus nigra (black mulberry)
• Morus indica
  

Sources of White Mulberry & What to Look For

Several sources of white mulberry exist.

Food Sources of White Mulberry

White mulberry is naturally available as a leafy tree with fruit. You may eat mulberry fruit as fresh fruits and jams. You may also turn the fruit into fruit juice. And the leaves can be brewed into tea.

Mulberry can be found in the following foods:

• Alcoholic beverages, such as sake and wine
• Chocolate
• A coloring agent in yogurt
• Fruit jam
• Jelly
• Juice
• Pasta
• Pastries
• Syrup
• Vinegar

White Mulberry Supplements

White mulberry is available in various forms, including capsules and tablets. If you have difficulty swallowing pills, white mulberry is also available in the following dosage forms:

• Drink packets
• Liquid
• Powder

There are also vegetarian options. The product you choose should depend on your preference and what you hope to get in terms of effects. Each product may work a bit differently, depending on the form. So, it's essential to follow your healthcare provider's recommendations or label directions.

Summary

White mulberry is a leafy tree that produces fruit. This plant may have some potential to lower blood sugar and cholesterol. It may also have some antioxidant and anti-inflammation effects.

While white mulberry is generally recognized as safe, it's not without side effects. There are also potential interactions to consider. And white mulberry wood can be toxic.

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