Mulberry, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230
Mulberries are similar in appearance to raspberries and blackberries, but are not closely related. The immature fruits are white, pale green or yellow, turning from pink to red while ripening, and finally dark purple or black when fully ripe. Mulberry trees are very beneficial to wildlife, deer cannot resist mulberry leaves. Mulberries are commonly used to make jams, preserves and pies etc. The first documentation of mulberry trees reports them as originating in China. The Chinese discovered that silkworms loved to eat the leaves of this fast-growing tree. The more the silkworms ate, the more silk they produced. The Chinese were the first to cultivate mulberry trees in rows for increased production of silk.
Mulberry leaves have long been used in traditional medicine and are reputedly associated with several impressive health benefits. This unique tree leaf may combat inflammation and improve various risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicine uses mulberry leaves to improve eyesight, nourish the liver, aids in treating dizziness, dysentery, supports liver function, maintains youthful skin, coughs and cold symptoms, strengthens blood, treats colic and strengthens eyes. Mulberry leaves have high nutritional value. They contain many powerful plant compounds such as polyphenol antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. Mulberry leaves can help lower blood sugar, cholesterol and inflammation levels. These attributes may make them useful for fighting heart disease and diabetes.
Because of it's widespread growth, cultivation and usefulness to humans and wildlife throughout history, the qualities associated with mulberry trees have achieved a symbolic value to different cultures, religions and traditions around the world. To the Greeks it symbolised wisdom, and was dedicated to the goddess Athena, and the Romans to the goddess Minerva. To the Japanese, it symbolises support, nurturing and self-sacrifice, and in other traditions it symbolises patience and abundance. The Mulberry tree is mentioned in the bible:
The Lord replied, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.
Luke 17.6
Transcription
Translation
rubum appellant. eoquod fructus eius vel virgul-
tum eius rubet. Est enim morus silvestris fructum afferens
Morus is called by the Greeks, as Isidorus says in Latin; they call it a bush, because its fruit or its bush is red. For there is a wild mulberry, bearing fruit,
tetur. Huius folia si fuerint superiactata serpenti; fer-
tur interimi. Hodie tamen consueto more diximus morum
arborem quandam magnam. cum latis folus. et fere simili-
bus folus ficus; afferentem(changed from tuem) fructus rubentes.
by which the hunger and want of the shepherds in the desert is strengthened. If the leaves of this have been thrown over the serpent; it is brought in the meantime. To-day, however, in the usual manner, we have spoken of a certain large fig-tree, with broad branches, and generally similar branches of figs; bringing red fruits.