The Efficacy and Functions of Mulberry Bark

Morus bark refers to the dried root bark of Morus, a plant from the Moraceae family. Its main effects and uses include: 1. **Draining Lung Heat and Relieving Asthma**: Morus bark clears heat from the lungs, removes phlegm and fluid accumulation, and alleviates coughing and wheezing. It is particularly effective in treating symptoms such as cough and asthma due to lung heat, chest fullness, and labored breathing. 2. **Promoting Diuresis and Reducing Edema**: By descending lung qi and regulating water metabolism, Morus bark promotes urination and reduces swelling. It is especially suitable for conditions involving generalized edema, facial and skin swelling, and impaired urination. 3. **Other Effects**: Morus bark also possesses properties that clear heat, promote urination, cool the blood, stop bleeding, dispel wind-dampness, and kill parasites to relieve itching. It can be used to treat various disorders such as urinary tract disorders (lin syndrome), jaundice-type hepatitis, rheumatic joint pain, and eczema. 4. Furthermore, modern pharmacological studies have shown that Morus bark contains multiple active components and exhibits diverse effects, including antitussive, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycemic, diuretic, antihypertensive, and immunomodulatory activities. However, it should be noted that Morus bark is cold in nature and therefore contraindicated in individuals with cold-lung syndrome without heat, wind-cold type cough, or yang-deficient constitution.