Edible Parts: Fruit  Inner bark  Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw[2, 7, 158]. Sweet but usually insipid[3, 11]. It contains about 1.5% protein, 0.4% fat, 7.8% carbohydrate, 0.7% malic acid[179]. A richer flavour develops if the fruit is dried, it can then be used as a raisin substitute. The fruit is up to 25mm long[200]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves and shoots - cooked[105, 183]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[177]. A good vegetable, it is rich in carotene and calcium[179]. The leaf also contains 10% tannin[179]. Inner bark - roasted and ground into a meal then used as a thickener in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread. A famine food when all else fails[179]. The tree is said to be a source of an edible manna[183]. Young shoots can be used as a tea substitute[183].

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Analgesic  Antiasthmatic  Antirheumatic  Antitussive  Astringent  Diaphoretic  Diuretic  Emollient  
Expectorant  Hypoglycaemic  Hypotensive  Odontalgic  Sedative  Urinary

The white mulberry has a long history of medicinal use in Chinese medicine, almost all parts of the plant are used in one way or another[238]. Recent research has shown improvements in elephantiasis when treated with leaf extract injections and in tetanus following oral doses of the sap mixed with sugar[238]. Analgesic, emollient, sedative[7, 176]. The leaves are antibacterial, astringent, diaphoretic, hypoglycaemic, odontalgic and ophthalmic[218, 238]. They are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, eye infections and nosebleeds[238]. The leaves are collected after the first frosts of autumn and can be used fresh but are generally dried[238]. The stems are antirheumatic, diuretic, hypotensive and pectoral[218, 238]. A tincture of the bark is used to relieve toothache[7]. The branches are harvested in late spring or early summer and are dried for later use[238]. The fruit has a tonic effect on kidney energy[218, 238]. It is used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, tinnitus, premature greying of the hair and constipation in the elderly[238]. The root bark is antitussive, diuretic, expectorant and hypotensive[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of asthma, coughs, bronchitis, oedema, hypertension and diabetes[238]. The roots are harvested in the winter and dried for later use[238]. Extracts of the plant have antibacterial and fungicidal activity[218].

Dye  Fibre  Wood

A fibre is obtained from the bark of one-year old stems, it is used in weaving[7, 74]. A brown dye is obtained from the trunk[178]. The leaves contain 10% tannin[179]. Wood - hard, durable, fine and close-grained. Used for boat building, furniture etc[145, 149, 158].

Special Uses