China in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Hainan and North Vietnam in Bac Giang, Cao Bang, Hoa Binh, Lang son, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc and Yen Bai
Morinda officinalis also named as Indian Mulberry is a plant belonging to genus Morinda. This species is shade tolerant and hygrophilous. Usually it occurs in fertile, moist sandy loam and acidic soil rich in humus. In its native range, it is found in secondary forests of hills, midlands and low mountains at altitudes of 200 to 600 meters and thrives in cool temperatures of 21 to 23°C. Primarily it is found in upland tropical and subtropical forests of Asia. It is widely distributed in China in south districts such as Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Guangxi etc. The branches are covered with a small leaf. Roots are irregular, hypertrophy, cylindrical and intermittent swelling with rosary. Young plant has stiff and slender bristles and is covered with fine soft hairs which become hairless gradually with rough surface and branches are covered with small leaf like appendage at maturity. Flowers are arranged in fascicules and in umbels.
Plant description
Indian mulberry is a perennial slender climbing shrub which is several meters long having greyish bark and angular twigs. Roots are cylindrical measuring 0.5 to 2 cm diameter having longitudinal wrinkles and transverse cracks and are dark grey or yellowish grey. While young, shoots are violet and tomentose becoming glabrous. Leaves are opposite, entire, simple, lanceolate to obovate about 6–14 cm long by 2.5–6 cm wide with obtuse or rounded base, acuminate apex, glossy dark green above, pale violet and hairy on both sides. Inflorescences are 0.3 to 1.5 cm long in terminal umbellate panicles and flowers are small, white to pale yellowish. Calyx is tubular-cyathiform having unequal sepals and corolla tube is short. Fruit is a globose drupe, two seeded and becomes scarlet when ripe.
Health Benefits of Indian Mulberry juice
Anti-ageing
Indian mulberry juice is rich in antioxidants such as selenium and Vitamin C that helps to neutralize free radicals in the blood. The antioxidants combine with free oxygen atom before it gets in contact with healthy cell. Free oxygen atoms form oxidative stress over cell lining that could damage healthy cells which is the cause for aging. A glass of Indian Mulberry juice regularly delays the onset of aging signs.
Upgrades immunity
Used for thousands of years, Indian Mulberry juice strengthens immune system. Intake of a glass of Indian Mulberry juice has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimutagenic and anti-histamine properties which help to strengthen immune system. Additionally, Indian mulberry juice has polysaccharides which help to combat infections caused by attack of external pathogens. Polysaccharides help to stimulate white blood cells activity which has a crucial role in immune cells health of the body.
Liver protection
Indian mulberry possess hepato-protective properties which protects liver from chemicals such as lead preventing from getting toxic.
Cardiovascular health
Adding Indian mulberry juice to the diet provides dilating effect on contracted blood vessels due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It creates a regulated flow of blood throughout the body leading to healthy heart maintaining blood pressure at moderate level. Its intake also dilates arteries by aiding smooth flow of blood throughout the body.
Normalize Blood Sugar Levels
The regular intake of Indian Mulberry juice is associated with increase in insulin secretion, which is a pancreatic hormone used for breaking down sugar molecules found in the blood. Regulating insulin in the blood also optimizes blood glucose level as well. It is beneficial for those with diabetes, a disease which impedes the body’s ability to produce insulin.
Gastric Health
Indian Mulberry juices have phytonutrients that could delay gastric emptiness resulting slowing down of digestion process. It also slows down the discharge of sugar in the blood stream with other digestive enzymes without lowering the volume of waste excreted. The regular intake of Indian Mulberry juice assists digestion.
Hastens healing process
Collagen is a crucial component of connective tissues responsible for healing. Moreover, Indian mulberry juice slows down blood sugar level by strengthening the position. High glucose level results in poor blood circulation reducing the speed of repairing tissue.
Acts as a natural moisturizer
Antioxidants found in Indian mulberry juice increases water retention capabilities of skin cell keeping them nourished. This juice lowers the free radical damage by helping skin to maintain the structure and delay signs of aging.
Other uses
Roots are used tonify kidneys and helpful for treating impotence, profuse urination, premature ejaculation and sterility.
It also strengthens bones and tendons and also improves circulations for cold feet and hands.
It is helpful for treating chronic rheumatism, incontinence, chronic inflammation of nerves, fatigue, hernia, menstrual disorders, depression, upper back pain and muscular or skeletal atrophy.
It also helps to treat depression by upgrading the effects of serotonin, a chemical present in brain.
Traditional uses
The antiviral properties helps to prevent viral infections.
It also slows down aging process improving skin complexion.
Being adaptogenic in nature, it balances all body systems.
It repairs cell damage.
Unripe Indian Mulberry is helpful in healing cuts.
The presence of terpene eliminates harmful toxins from the body and reinvigorates the cells.
It provides relief from cough and nausea.
It is helpful for asthma as well.
It prevents intestine blockage and avoid the chancces of colic.
For burns, drink Indian mulberry juice to provide relief from burning sensation.
Intake of 30 ml of organic Indian Mulberry juice provides releif from migrane.
In traditional Oriental medicine, roots are used for treating impotence and rheumatoid arthritis.
In Northeast Asia, roots are used for treating diabetes, hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis.
It is a cure for kidney yang debility, lumbago, rheumatoid diseases, ringing in ears, dizziness, spermatorrhoea.
For spermatorrhoea and male impotence, blend morinda root with epimedium, cistanche, cuscuta and rubus.
For female infertility, irregular menstruation, leucorrhea and dysmenorrhea, make a decoction by mixing rubus, evodia and aconite.
For lumbago and lassitude of muscles, take root of morinda with ginger, acanthopanax, cuucuma and achyranthes.
Use leaves, fruit, bark, flowers for treating eye problems, gum or throat problems, skin wounds, constipation, respiratory problems and stomach pains.
Apply the heated leaves to the chest for providing relief from coughs, colic and nausea.
In Philippines, leaves juices are used as an asthma treatment.
In India and China, Indian mulberry fruit for dysentery, asthma, lumbago.
It is also used to correct urination problems such as bedwetting and production of too much urine.
Culinary uses
In China, roots either fresh or dried are cooked with pork to make a broth.
Cook Indian mulberry roots and Pueraria with pumpkin, leek, ginger, pepper and salt in a stew.
Dry in the slin or stir cook in salt water.
Dosage
The recommended dosage is 8 to 12 grams.
Precautions
For pregnant and breast feeding women, it is recommended to avoid this herb due to inadequate information.
As it stimulates kidneys, it worsens painful urination.
It has an effect on blood sugar levels and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. So it is advised to stop its use two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Other facts
In Hawaii, roots are used to extract yellowish dye used to dye cloth.
