Using Mulberry Leaf Extract for Medical Purposes
Mulberry trees have been cultivated by the Chinese for use in silk production for thousands of years, and Mulberry leaf extract has been used in Chinese medicine for just as long. This particular type of tree has been used throughout history to help treat diabetes, hypoglycemia and promote natural healing. Today, the use of Mulberry leaf extract to treat disorders in humans is considered to be a form of alternative medicine. Some scientific studies have suggested that this extract is beneficial in treating disease and improving overall health, but concrete scientific proof has yet be found.
The Mulberry plant is a form of deciduous tree, of which there are about a dozen species. They are grown in many locations around the world, typically in warm and tropical areas. Mulberry trees produce fruits similar to blackberries, which are consumed by humans all over the world. The leaves of the Mulberry are often used by herbalists for alternative medical purposes.
Some recent scientific studies have claimed that Mulberry leaf extract is useful for controlling blood sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes. According to these studies the herb serves to limit the body’s absorption of carbohydrates and sugars and stabilize blood glucose levels before and after meals. It is believed that this is caused by certain properties isolated from the leaves called alkaloids and N-containing sugars that can inhibit certain enzymes of carbohydrates and sugars called alpha glycosidase from being absorbed by the body. This produces a blood glucose controlling result similar to those of pharmaceuticals. It also appears that these results are based mainly on the extraction method. Depending on how the extract is obtained from the leaf, some studies show extremely positive results, while other show very little promise.
Mulberry leaf extract may also have other medical uses. For thousands of years the Chinese have used this plant as a cure for inflammation heat due to infection and to remove toxins from the body. It also has high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, and is said to help promote healing and boost the immune system. The plant also has high levels of amino acids and may help the body deal with the effects of aging. Its main active ingredient is L-deoxynojirimycin, also known as DJN. It is this DJN ingredient that is said to be responsible for lowering blood glucose and regulating the amount of fat within the blood. Many companies are currently marketing Mulberry leaf as a weight-loss supplement. It is believed that the DJN ingredient can prevent the body from absorbing sugars and carbohydrates. Lower levels of blood sugars are said to lead to higher rates of fat burning and can act as an appetite suppressant.
The medicinal practice of using leaf extracts from the Mulberry tree has been used for centuries to treat people with diabetes and other medical conditions, and some studies have shown that this may be a practical application. As far as weight loss goes however, there is little or no scientific research that can prove this extract works as a weight loss tool. Especially when used in conjunction with medical and scientific treatments, alternative holistic cures can be very effective in treating people with conditions like diabetes. There are side effects with herbs like Mulberry leaf that may have lethal drug interactions if mixed with pharmaceutical drugs. Before considering adding any form of herb to your diet, especially if you suffer from a serious condition like diabetes, it is important to discuss the risks and rewards with a health care professional. Specific herbs like Mulberry leaf can have wonderful effects on a person’s overall health and immune system responses, but only if there are no risks associated with disease or drug interactions.