White Mulberry

Also known as: Morus alba, Chi(n) Sang, Chinese White Mulberry, Egyptian Mulberry, Silkworm Mulberry

 

 

Safety Rating: 

 

LIKELY HARMFUL

  • None

NOT ENOUGH INFO

  • Breastfeeding

POSSIBLY UNSAFE

  • None

POSSIBLY SAFE

  • Pregnancy
  • Children
  • Elderly (65+)
  • General population

LIKELY SAFE

  • None

 

(For explanations of what these safety ratings mean, click here) 

 

 

Potential side effect: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)

 

 

Overview

What is it? The berry of the Mulberry plant. It resembles a blackberry but with a white or pink color. It can be eaten raw or cooked.

Why is it used? While there is a long list of claims about what White Mulberry can treat, it is usually found in products claiming to “help control blood sugar”, as well as some sore throat/cough remedies.

What’s the harm? There have not been any documented cases of low blood sugar or other side effects from people taking White Mulberry for blood sugar control. However, combining it with other blood sugar lowering products may drastically lower blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia (blood glucose <70mg/dL). In serious cases, it can cause heart problems that lead to death.

 

Interactions with health conditions:

 

Diabetes: White Mulberry may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with diabetes medications that control blood sugar.

 

 

Drug Interactions:

 

Diabetes/blood sugar control: White Mulberry may increase the risk of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) when combined with Diabetes drugs. Examples include:

  • Metformin
  • Glipizide (Glucotrol)
  • Insulin
  • Pioglitazone (Actos)
  • Liraglutide (Victoza)
  • Canagliflozin (Invokana)
  • Sitagliptin (Januvia)

For more examples of diabetes drugs, click here.

 

 

Interactions with herbs/supplements:

 

Blood sugar control: Combining White Mulberry with ingredients that may lower blood sugar increases the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Examples include:

 

 

Interactions with foods: None Known

 

 

Interactions with lab tests: 

 

Blood sugar: White mulberry may temporarily lower blood sugar levels, which can impact some blood sugar tests.

 

 

References:

*Natural Medicines. (2019, January 29). White Mulberry [Monograph]. Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Retrieved from: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1250

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