general description
Mulberry (lat. Morus) – small fleshy fruits that are shaped like 2-3 cm drupes. The berries are juicy, sweet and have a pleasant aroma. Mulberry, depending on the variety, can vary in color from red to dark purple, almost black, and from white to pink. The mulberry tree bears fruit annually and is very abundant. The yield of one tree can be more than 200 kg. The first fruits begin to ripen in mid-July. The main ripening period comes at the end of July beginning of August.

Species and distribution
There are about 16 species of mulberry tree, which are common in the territories of subtropical and temperate climatic zones. Mulberry grows well in Azerbaijan, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Armenia and other countries of Asia, Africa and North America. It is believed that the distribution of black mulberry came from Southwest Asia, and white – from China. The history of the use of mulberry leaves for growing silkworms goes back over 4 thousand years. The fruits were used even before the events described in the Bible.

Use and consumption
Because Mulberry is a perishable and easily damaged product, it is best to use it freshly picked. For the same reason, fruits are not transported over long distances. In the refrigerator, fresh mulberry can be stored in polyethylene for no more than 3 days. To increase the shelf life, mulberries are frozen or dried. In this case, only the most ripe fruits are used. Mulberries should be dried in two stages: first in a well-ventilated sunny place (1-2 weeks), and then in the oven at a temperature of 30-40 ° C for an hour.

Useful properties of mulberry

Composition and presence of nutrients
Mulberry has a large amount of vitamins (A, B1-B6, B9, E, C, K), trace elements (manganese, iron, zinc, copper, selenium) and macronutrients (calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, phosphorus). Mulberry contains a lot of potassium, the lack of which in the body can lead to hypokalemia. Therefore, doctors prescribe mulberry extracts in case of potassium metabolism disorders.

Application and useful properties
It is also recommended to use mulberry for people with chronic swelling associated with disorders of the heart (myocardial dystrophy, defects of varying severity) and kidneys. It has bile, sweat and diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect. Regular intake of mulberries reduces shortness of breath, pain in the heart and normalizes its rhythm. With anemia and metabolic disorders, you should eat mulberries in such quantities for two weeks “until the eyes can no longer see it.”

From the gastrointestinal tract, mulberry acts in two ways. When using unripe fruits, the stool is attached, therefore it is recommended for diarrhea, and ripe fruits, on the contrary, are liquefied, therefore, it is used for constipation.

A mixture of white mulberry (1 kg) and white honey (200 g) will help restore male strength and get rid of prostatitis. Grind the ingredients thoroughly. Store the mixture in a sealed container in the refrigerator on the door or in the common section. Take 1 dessert spoon once a day at bedtime.

Juice and tinctures
Mulberry juice and infusion have bactericidal and antiseptic effects. They are used to rinse the mouth with stomatitis, periodontal disease, ulcers and throat diseases. To prepare the infusion, crushed black mulberry (2 tablespoons) is used. It is poured with boiling water (200 g) and infused for 4 hours. Rinsing should be done at least 4 times a day.

For nervous disorders caused by overwork and accompanied by insomnia, it is recommended to make a mulberry infusion. To do this, boil mulberries (1 kg) in water (500 ml) over low heat for 30 minutes. The mass should acquire a viscous structure. Honey (300 g) is also added there, heated to 80 ° C and removed from heat. Ready tincture should be taken in 1 tsp. 2-3 times during the second half of the day.

In cooking
Mulberry fruits are used in cooking for the preparation of desserts, pies, jams, compotes, kissels, marshmallows, sherbets, fillings for dumplings, pies. It is also used as a raw material for the preparation of alcoholic beverages (wine, vodka).

Dangerous properties of mulberry

Excessive passion for ripe berries can lead to diarrhea.

It is also not recommended to use black mulberry fruits for people suffering from hypertension, blood pressure fluctuations and diabetes.