Folium Mori
Mulberry Leaf

Source:
The leaf of Morus alba L. (Fam. Moraceae).

Distribution:
Mainly in Chinese provinces such as Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Sichuan and Hunan; also in Hong Kong.

Harvest & Processing:
Harvest leaves in October and November after frost; remove branchlets and foreign matter; dry under the sun.

Description:
Mostly shrivelled and in fragments. When whole, petiolate (with a petiole); petiole 1-2.5 cm long; when smoothed out, blade ovate (egg-shaped in outline and attached at the broad end), or broad and ovate, 8-15 cm long, 7-13 cm wide. Apex acuminate (tapering to a slender point); base truncate (squared as if cut off), orbicular (round) or cordate (heart-shaped); margin serrate (sawlike) or crenate (with round-toothed edges), in some cases irregular lobate (divided into lobes). Upper surface yellowish-green or light yellowish-brown, in some cases verruculose (with small wartshaped protuberances); underside lighter in colour, with protuberant veins, veinlets reticulate (net-like); veins covered with sparse pubescence, vein base with tufted pubescence. Brittle. Odour: faint; taste: mild, slightly bitter-astringent.

Indications:
1. Common cold, cough, sore throat
2. Red eyes, photophobia with lacrimation, conjunctivitis, blurring of vision
3. Haematemesis, haemoptysis
4. Night sweating.

Chemical Composition:
Mainly contains flavonoids such as kuwanon I, and coumarins such as bergapten.