Organic Mulberry Plant
Monthly Archives: January 2014
About Our Tea
Our premium Organic Mulberry Leaf tea is organically grown and farmed in Thailand. We receive the tea directly from the growers so you can be assured that it is fresh when you receive it. The mulberry plants are grown and harvested without the use of any chemical substances and the tea is certified as organic by local Thailand and international agencies, with certification renewed each year.
Because the tea is organic the taste and aroma are very natural and the tea itself is very nourishing and healthful — a most refreshing drink whether served hot or chilled. Caffeine levels in the tea are negligible, in fact it has 200 times less caffeine than regular green tea (which already has very minimal levels of caffeine when compared to regular black tea and coffee). There is no tannin in the tea.
Mulberry leaves can be combined with other natural ingredients such as jasmine flowers, rose petals, lemongrass and safflower to provide an interesting and slightly different taste to the palate. This tea is also available in tea bags, for those who prefer to prepare their tea in this manner. Please note, any additional ingredients added to the tea are also certified organic.
Organic mulberry tea powder is also available. This can be used to add to other beverages or in cooking.
For those who love a variety of different teas, adding white mulberry tea to your selection will definitely provide you with something unique, refreshing and healthful. Mulberry leaves have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries and the health benefits gained from this unique tea have been documented in various studies conducted worldwide.
Whether you are buying the tea to supplement other health products or you simply want to enjoy the invigorating taste, you will be sure to enjoy our organic white mulberry leaf tea.
For US and Canadian customers Mulberry tea can be ordered from our Shopify online Store
White Mulberry Plant – Is it a Curse or a Cure?
White mulberry is also known by its scientific name, Morus alba. It is a species native to the northern parts of China. This plant is used to feed silkworms, and it is also known to be an invasive plant due to its rapid release of pollen. The stamens of the Morus alba act like catapults, launching the pollen at roughly 350 miles per hour, which is half the speed of sound. This has earned it recognition as the fastest known movement within the plant kingdom. White mulberry is also known as Tuta in Hindi, Tuti in Sanskrit and Toot, in Persian and Armenian.
US and Canada customer can order Organic Mulberry Leaf Tea here: Zi Chun Teas
The Curse of Morus Alba
Since it is used to feed silkworms, the cultivation of the white mulberry began over four thousand years ago in China. This species has also spread widely in India, Afghanistan, Iran and to parts of Southern Europe. In recent years, it has spread to areas in North America where it hybridizes with the local Morus rubra or red mulberry. This makes many worry about the long-term genetic viability of the Morus rubra. When viewed in that light, Morus alba seems to be a threat.
White Mulberry Benefits
Morus alba fruits have been used since ancient times. The Chinese used white mulberry to tonify the blood, for diabetes, constipation and to treat prematurely graying hair. The bark was used for wheezing, coughs and as a diuretic to promote urination. It has also been used for sore eyes, headaches and fever. Studies show that the root bark, which was used in Asian countries as an antibacterial treatment, can actually protect us from cariogenic bacteria. This antibacterial component is called kuwanon G.
Recent studies are focused on white mulberry leaf tea to combat diabetes. The ethanol extract from the Morus alba acts as an antihyperglycemic, shows antiglycation effects and works as an antioxidant as well. In a study based on 10 control subjects with type 2 diabetes in the age range of 24 to 61 years of age, it proved to be more effective than placebo medication.
White mulberry tea may also be best for people with elevated serum TG levels. A high level of this serum is considered a risk factor for arteriosclerosis.
Morus alba leaf extract is rich in 1-deoxynojirimycin, otherwise called DNJ, which inhibits a-glucosidase. A single group study was done wherein the subjects were made to ingest 12 mg of DNJ-rich mulberry extract three times daily after meals for 12 weeks. Studies showed a modest decrease of serum TG and an improvement in their lipid profile.
Therefore, while it may be considered potentially harmful for the viability of red mulberry trees, recent scientific discoveries show that the Morus alba may prove beneficial to humankind, as type 2 diabetes is a prevalent disease, owing to eating habits and other lifestyle factors. Is the white mulberry a cure that’s disguised as a curse? It may well be just that!
For US and Canadian customers Mulberry tea can be ordered from our Shopify online store
Preparing Your Mulberry Leaf Tea
White mulberry leaf tea is sourced from the white mulberry tree (Morus alba). The tree was originally grown in northern China but has since been cultivated in several countries, including Japan, U.S. and the U.K. Mulberry leaf tea is a mildly-flavoured tea that is refreshing yet relaxing and is a perfect partner for desserts and a rich meal, or it may be enjoyed as a healthful beverage at any time of the day.
US and Canada customers buy Organic Mulberry Leaf Tea from our Shopify Tea Store
Benefits
Mulberry tea is prized in traditional Chinese medicine for its many healing properties. The tea serves as a tonic to help improve blood circulation and as a diuretic to encourage elimination of urine. It is also used for regulating blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and for treating colds, constipation, nausea, and pain from arthritis. Traditionally, the tea is also used for fighting hair loss and preventing premature graying.
How to Prepare Mulberry Leaf Tea
Mulberry tea may be prepared from fresh or dried leaves (in tea bags or as loose leaf), and may be served hot or cold. To prepare using white mulberry leaf tea bags, pour about 8 to 12 ounces of hot (not boiling) water in a cup and allow one teabag to steep for at least 3 minutes. Add lemon or honey if desired. On hot days when I need a cool drink, I simply add ice or allow the tea to steep and chill until it’s cool enough for my liking.
To prepare a cup of tea using fresh leaves, roll two to three leaves of mulberry and slice into strips. Make sure the leaves have been washed. Put the leaves in about 12 ounces of boiling water. Wait until the water turns a nice light green before turning off the fire. Allow to steep for a few minutes, filter the leaves, pour into a cup and enjoy.
A Tip: If using loose leaves, steep or boil in a teapot with an infuser. The infuser will keep the leaves separate and make it easier to pour the tea.
How Long to Steep the Tea
For white mulberry leaf teabags, steep for a minimum of 3 minutes (or longer, depending on the manufacturer’s recommendation). For dried leaves, steep for at least 6 minutes. For fresh leaves, steep for at least 10 minutes.
More Health Tips
For maximum flavour and health benefits, always choose organic mulberry leaf tea. Organically grown leaves do not contain chemical residue from pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are not only better tasting, they are also safer to ingest.
For US and Canadian customers Mulberry tea can be ordered from our Shopify Tea Store here: Zi Chun Teas
The Myriad Health Benefits of White Mulberry Leaf Tea
White Mulberry leaf tea is a fragrant herbal infusion that is wonderfully tasty whether served hot or cold. The flavour is outstanding irrespective of whether sugar is added or not (which makes it the perfect detox or diet drink). An additional perk is that this herbal delight provides several important health benefits.
The white mulberry plant is native to northern China and has been used for centuries in Chinese traditional medicine. Considered by some a miracle tea, it is used to treat all manner of afflictions. It is particularly effective in the treatment of mild food poisoning and contains the antibacterial properties necessary to fight off minor internal infections.
Chinese medical experts throughout the ages have discovered that the mulberry leaf is perfectly suited to the treatment of headaches, sore throats and fevers. It is also used to stabilize the liver. This leaf can also be used to put certain forms of bleeding on hold – particularly in cases where the patient is regurgitating blood.
The research that is being done on the white mulberry plant is turning up some great results. There are indications that drinking white mulberry tea could lower blood pressure and aid in the treatment of diabetes. Of course, this plant is best used in conjunction with other supplements designed to curb the effects of diabetes.
These aren’t the only benefits that come from enjoying this wonderful product. Although there is very little proof to support the claims that have come in, many people have reported that their afflictions have lessened or become more manageable when drinking white mulberry leaf tea regularly.
The conditions in question range from asthma and constipation to hair loss and premature graying. These claims may seem vast and a bit strange, but the truth is that many people honestly believe that this tea really helps to rectify these problems. That’s not to say that their experiences aren’t real, just that there is no scientific research that has been concluded as absolute proof. Sufficient numbers of people have experienced similar benefits to indicate that there is a pattern.
This leaf can be consumed in a variety of ways. White mulberry tea is considered the most palatable and probably the most effective tea with regards to digestion and absorption. While extracts and pills are available, studies have shown that the human body is not always able to process such a high concentration of any supplement; which means that a large portion of the supplement goes to waste.
More often than not, a dose of approximately 5 – 10 grams of mulberry leaf is all that is necessary for results to show. Due to this measurement, mulberry leaf tea is the perfect way to monitor daily dosage.
For US and Canadian customers Mulberry tea can be ordered from our Shopify Online Tea Store
Best Choice: White Mulberry Leaf Tea vs. Mulberry Leaf Supplements
The mulberry leaf is one of those miracle herbs that seems to cure a little bit of everything. It’s no wonder that so many people swear by it – and no wonder that there are so many products that feature the herb. If you’re like most, your choice of mulberry delivery is going to come down to a decision between supplements and tea. The former is available in many styles, while the latter is just what it says on the tin – a nice cup of tea. Deciding which you like best really comes down to determining what makes you feel most comfortable.
There are several types of white mulberry leaf tea, and several types of supplements as well. The supplements tend to come in all of the forms that you would expect – your traditional pills, juices and tinctures that provide several unique ways to ingest healthy concoctions that are largely based on the leaves. The teas, on the other hand, are just that – teas. While you can find organic mulberry leaf tea in some shops and traditional tea in others, the real difference in what’s available on the market tends to be centred around whether the tea is available bagged or loose. There are mulberry leaf teas that feature a combination of other herbs or plants, and some that add flavours, of course, but the pure tea tends to stay the same across the board.
Personally, I tend to prefer the tea to the supplements. If you’re the sort that just can’t stand tea, the supplements are a fine alternative. There’s just something about having a fresh cup that’s just a bit better, as far as I’m concerned, and you still get all of the health benefits that you can ask for from the plant. In the end, I feel that the simple pleasure of a cup of tea makes it the obvious choice.
For US and Canadian customers Mulberry tea can be ordered via our Shopify Online Tea Store