☯ TCM Properties
Dispels Wind-Dampness; Benefits the joints; Unblocks the Channels and Collaterals; Promotes Urination and Reduces Edema
Traditional Chinese Uses
Sang Zhi (mulberry twig) is a neutral, bitter herb used in Chinese medicine to expel Wind-Damp and promote the free circulation of Qi and Blood in the channels, with a particular affinity for the upper limbs. It is the preferred herb for Wind-Damp bi syndrome affecting the shoulders, arms, and fingers — a distribution that reflects its channel affinity for the lateral and upper extremities. It also clears mild Damp-Heat from the body and is used in formulas for chronic joint conditions in the upper body.
Western Herbalism Properties
Traditional Uses
Cherokee Drug-class uses recorded by Native American Ethnobotany include preparations of Morus alba as an antidiarrheal (mapped to astringent). Additional Cherokee Drug uses recorded as cathartic, laxative, anthelmintic, and check medicine are omitted per editorial convention as they do not map to retained slug categories. (Source: NAEB; Hamel & Chiltoskey 1975)
Botanical Description
Morus alba (Moraceae), the white mulberry, is a deciduous tree 10-20 m tall with a rounded crown, grey to yellowish-brown furrowed bark, and milky latex throughout. Leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, 5-15 cm long, with serrate margins; juvenile and vigorous shoots often bear deeply lobed leaves while mature shoots produce entire ones. The species is monoecious or dioecious, with tiny greenish flowers in short cylindrical catkins, followed by sweet, juicy, multiple fruits (sorosis) that ripen from white through pink to dark purple. Native to northern and central China and cultivated worldwide as the principal foodplant of silkworms. The young branches (Sang Zhi), 0.5-1.5 cm thick, are harvested in late spring or early summer, cut into oblique slices, and sun-dried. (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia; PFAF)
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 9-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
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.
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