Introduction of Sang Bai Pi: White Mulberry Root-Bark
✵The article documents the herb White Mulberry Root-Bark, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely (1) Morus alba L.—and provides a detailed description of the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Cortex Mori (White Mulberry Root-bark)
Pinyin Name: Sāng Bái Pí
English Name: White Mulberry Root-Bark
Latin Name:Cortex Mori Property and Flavor: Cold; sweet
Brief Introduction:Cortex Mori is the dried root-bark of Morus alba L., with the outer brown corky layer removed. It is used (1) to clear lung heat and relieve dyspnea in cases of lung-heat cough with wheezing, and (2) to promote diuresis in edema. It is commonly known as Cortex Mori, White Mulberry Root-Bark, or Sāng Bái Pí.
Botanical Source:Cortex Mori (White Mulberry Root-Bark) is the dried root-bark of Morus alba L., a species in the genus Morus, family Moraceae (mulberry family), order Rosales. This commonly used species is described below:
(1) Morus alba L.
Botanical Description:Morus alba L. is commonly known as the mulberry tree, white mulberry, or Sāng Shù. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, growing up to 3–15 meters tall. The stem bark is ash gray (grayish white), with longitudinal fissures and flaky lobes; the root-bark is yellowish brown or reddish yellow and strongly fibrous. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are 1–2.5 cm long; leaf blades are ovate to broadly ovate, 5–20 cm long and 4–10 cm wide; apex is acute or acuminate; base is rounded or nearly cordate; margin is coarsely serrate or crenate, sometimes irregularly lobed; upper surface is glabrous and glossy; lower surface with short hairs along the veins and pilose axils; three primary veins arise from the base, joining secondary veinlets to form a conspicuous reticulate pattern on the lower surface; stipules are lanceolate and caducous.
Flowers are unisexual and dioecious; male and female inflorescences are arranged in axillary, spicate catkins. Female catkins are 1–2 cm long, pilose; peduncles are 5–10 mm long. Male catkins are 1–2.5 cm long, pendulous, and sparsely covered with fine hairs. Staminate flowers have 4 perianth lobes, 4 stamens, and a sterile central staminode; pistillate flowers have 4 perianth lobes, connate at the base, and a 2-lobed stigma.
Achenes are numerous and densely aggregated into ovoid or oblong syncarps, 1–2.5 cm long; green when immature, turning purple-black or red at maturity. Seeds are small. Flowering occurs from April to May; fruiting occurs from May to June.
Ecological Environment: The mulberry tree grows on hillsides, mountain slopes, and in fields around villages; it is widely cultivated.
Growth Characteristics: The mulberry tree prefers a warm, humid climate and exhibits slight shade tolerance. Seedlings emerge when temperatures exceed 12 °C (53.6 °F); optimal growth occurs at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); growth is inhibited above 40 °C (104 °F) and ceases below 12 °C (53.6 °F). It is drought-tolerant and arid-tolerant but intolerant of waterlogging. It exhibits strong soil adaptability.
Characteristics of the Herb: The root-bark occurs in twisted pieces, grooved segments, or flattened plates of varying lengths and widths; thickness is 1–4 mm. The outer surface is white or pale yellowish white, relatively smooth, with occasional residual orange or brown scaly bark; the inner surface is yellowish white or grayish yellow, marked by fine longitudinal lines. The herb is lightweight, flexible, strongly fibrous, difficult to break transversely but easily torn longitudinally; dust is released upon fracture. It has a faint odor and a slightly sweet taste.
Medicinal efficacy: Clears lung heat and relieves asthma; promotes diuresis to alleviate edema. Indicated for lung-heat dyspnea and cough, edema with abdominal distension and fullness, oliguria (abnormally reduced urine output), and facial or cutaneous edema.
Administration of Cortex Mori (Sāng Bái Pí):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Cortex Mori (Sāng Bái Pí)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally:6–12 grams; (2) water decoction, 2–5 qian (approximately 6–15 grams), or prepared as a powder; Externally:apply an appropriate amount—extract the juice and apply topically, or wash with a water decoction. (3) 9–15 grams, water decoction; prepare to finely ground herb powder and prepared to powder. Externally:apply an appropriate amount—extract the juice and apply topically, or wash with a water decoction.
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1.Introduction of Sang Bai Pi: White Mulberry Root-bark
✵The article documents the herb White Mulberry Root-Bark, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical source—namely (1) Morus alba L.—and provides a detailed description of the plant’s botanical features, growth characteristics, ecological environment, macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the herb, pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Sāng Bái Pí
Botanical Description: Morus alba L. is commonly known as the mulberry tree, white mulberry, or Sāng Shù. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree, growing up to 3–15 meters tall. The stem bark is ash gray (grayish white), with longitudinal fissures and flaky lobes; the root-bark is yellowish brown or reddish yellow and strongly fibrous. Leaves are simple and alternate; petioles are 1–2.5 cm long; leaf blades are ovate to broadly ovate, 5–20 cm long and 4–10 cm wide; apex is acute or acuminate; base is rounded or nearly cordate; margin is coarsely serrate or crenate, sometimes irregularly lobed; upper surface is glabrous and glossy; lower surface with short hairs along the veins and pilose axils; three primary veins arise from the base, joining secondary veinlets to form a conspicuous reticulate pattern on the lower surface; stipules are lanceolate and caducous.
Growth Characteristics: The mulberry tree prefers a warm, humid climate and exhibits slight shade tolerance. Seedlings emerge when temperatures exceed 12 °C (53.6 °F); optimal growth occurs at 25–30 °C (77–86 °F); growth is inhibited above 40 °C (104 °F) and ceases below 12 °C (53.6 °F). It is drought-tolerant and arid-tolerant but intolerant of waterlogging. It exhibits strong soil adaptability.
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