Mulberry Bark is the dried root bark of the mulberry tree, a dicotyledonous plant of the Moraceae family. It has the functions of clearing heat from the lungs, relieving cough, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is used for lung heat-induced cough, edema with fullness and distension, oliguria, and facial and skin edema.
Functions and Indications of Mulberry Bark
Mulberry bark has the functions of clearing heat from the lungs, relieving cough, promoting diuresis, and reducing swelling. It is used for lung heat-induced cough, edema with fullness and distension, oliguria, and facial and skin edema.
Clinical Applications of Mulberry Bark
1. "Xiao Er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue" recommends "Xie Bai San" for cough caused by underlying lung heat. Symptoms include severe cough, breathlessness, steaming heat in the skin, worsened symptoms after breastfeeding, red tongue with yellow coating, and thin and rapid pulse. The prescription consists of 15g of Digu Bark and 15g of Mulberry Bark, ground into powder and mixed with a pinch of polished rice, boiled in two small cups of water for seven minutes, and taken before meals. Mulberry bark is cool and sweet in nature and enters the lungs, clearing lung heat, promoting diuresis, and relieving cough. It is the principal herb in this prescription.
2. "Hua Shi Zhong Cang Jing" recommends "Wu Pi San" for edema due to water stagnation. Symptoms include swelling in the head, face, four limbs, chest, and abdomen, urgent shortness of breath, difficult urination, or pregnancy-related edema, white and greasy tongue coating, and deep and slow pulse. The prescription consists of 9g each of fresh ginger peel, Mulberry Bark, aged tangerine peel, big belly peel, and Poria peel, decocted in water. Mulberry bark helps clear lung qi and promote diuresis, serving as an adjuvant herb in this prescription.
3. Mulberry Bark can be decocted in water and taken orally to treat nosebleeds.
Can Pregnant Women Consume Mulberry Bark?
Pregnant women should not consume Mulberry Bark, as it has the effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and causing uterine contractions. During pregnancy, women should avoid consuming foods that promote blood circulation and should avoid consuming raw and cold foods. It is important to have a balanced and nutritious diet throughout the entire pregnancy to prevent malnutrition and gestational diabetes.
