Mulberry as a Super Fruit

Biological Description

Mulberry is a deciduous, fruit-bearing tree, which Latin name is Morus from the Moraceae family. It includes many species, the most popular ones being Morus alba, Morus nigra, and Morus rubra. Their names are derived from the colour of the buds, not the fruits.

Mulberries are fast-growing when young, but become slow-growing when they age. Morus trees have short rough trunk and twisted and drooping branches. Their leaves with toothed margins are alternate and simple, lobed on the young shoots and on the old trees. All the parts of the tree contain milky juice.

Mulberry may have male and female flowers on the same tree; they are usually wind-pollinated. Many small flowers are gathered in the inflorescences to form catkins, situated in the axils of the leaves. Female catkins are shorter than the male ones. The incredibly juicy fruit of the Mulberry tree is actually a collective fruit, consisting of closely-situated drupes with one seed inside.

Morus nigra, or Black mulberry, is the most widely-known and grown tree for its fruits, which are larger than in the other two species. It reaches about 40 feet in height, having a wide and spreading crown, which in diameter may even exceed the height of the tree. It is a long-lived plant. The large, thick, and quite rough leaves of the Black mulberry are similar to those of the Morus rubra (Red mulberry). The fruits of the two species are also very alike; except for the Black mulberry fruits are darker in colour.

Morus alba is the tallest tree, reaching up to 80 feet. Its fruit, smaller than in the other two species, is, however, very sweet and lacks the tartness of the Red and Black mulberries.

Growing

White mulberry is native to China. It grows well in almost any type of soil and tolerates drought and cold temperatures. It can be grown practically anywhere in the world. Black and Red mulberries are more fastidious: they need warmer climatic conditions, more fertile soils (preferably a deep loam), and good drainage with timely watering, however. These trees need full sun and much space for their large crowns. At the same time, they are wind-tolerant.


Black mulberry originates from western Asia (Armenia, Persia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, etc.), while Morus rubra comes from the United States.

Parts Used

These days fruits of the Mulberry tree are widely-popularized as valuable health-promoting and nutritionally-rich foods. Some sources even state that Mulberry may be included into the list of the super foods due to its potential health benefits. Nonetheless, traditional herbalism contains many recipes of the remedies made of the Morus tree leaves and bark, which also have medicinal value.

Market

The whole spectrum of the beneficial elements may be enjoyed in the fresh fruits of the Morus tree. At the same time, dried fruits, extracts (including leaf extract), and juices are available in the stores selling natural remedies and food supplements.

Action

Antioxidants, capable of eliminating the damage caused by free radicals in the body and slow down the process of aging, seem to be the main constituents of the fruit juice of the Mulberry tree. Scientists mention resveratrol as the most promising component in this respect. For this reason, they now try to discover as much as possible important information about this element. It is suggested to have cardio protective, antiviral and anti-cancer action. It may also lower bad cholesterol and work to alleviate chronic inflammation, as well as postpone the development of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Anthocyanins – pigments in the fruit – also have antioxidant action; thus, are medicinally valuable as well. They have been studied primarily as the means to fight cancer and showed excellent results. Their content is the highest in the fruits, which are grown in the warm climate with much sunshine.

Flavonoids in the root bark of the Mulberry tree were discovered to increase the level of insulin in the body and reduce blood glucose level; therefore, they may help in controlling diabetes. The root bark is considered a mighty diuretic and expectorant. The bark of the tree has anthelmintic property.

Mulberry leaves are used to treat diabetes and hypertension, but the old leaves have tranquilizing properties and may cause hallucinations, headache, and upset stomach, so, their remedies should be used with the extreme caution.

Mulberry contains large amounts of vitamins C and K, minerals magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and iron, carbohydrates glucose and fructose, free acids (tartaric and malic), fatty acids (linoleic, stearic, and oleic), protein, pectin and fiber. The health benefits of the Morus tree are tightly connected with the elements composing its chemical structure.

Health Benefits

Lately, fighting diabetes and cancer with Mulberry became the primary issue of scientific research. These diseases are difficult to manage and Morus fruit seems to possess the necessary properties, which could be of great help in controlling these conditions.

On the other hand, strengthening the immune system, relieving pain from chronic inflammation (for example, caused by arthritis or atherosclerosis), and nourishing the blood have a long history of treatment with Mulberry fruits.

In addition, naturopaths recommend to lower bad cholesterol levels (thus, helping to avoid the development of cardiovascular disorders), shed excessive pounds, increase bone strength and fight osteoporosis with Mulberry remedies. Besides, maintaining healthy liver and kidneys, soothing the nerves, eliminating weakness, fatigue, and anemia is possible with them. It is interesting to note that premature graying of the hair may be stopped with Mulberry and even increasing low libido is possible with its fruits.

Do not forget that the treatment with Mulberry remedies is not only effective against the mentioned disease, but pleasant due to the taste of the fruits as well.
http://www.chinese-herbs.org/mulberry/

Bagaimana Cara Ternakkan Ulat Sutera China Dipopularkan ke Negara Barat

Menurut dongeng, cara penternakan ulat sutera China diajarkan oleh permaisuri Leizu, raja Huangdi pada lebih 5000 tahun yang lalu. Antara tulisan yang terukir pada kulit kura-kura yang dijumpai di China sudah ada tulisan tentang ulat sutera, pokok mulberi dan sutera. Dalam antologi China pertama iaitu “Shi Jing” ada sebuah puisi tentang memetik daun pokok mulberi untuk menternakkan ulat sutera. Kandungan utama puisi itu adalah cuaca cerah pada musim bunga, burung menyanyi, gadis ambil paskit berjalan di jalan yang sempit, beliau pergi memetik daun pokok mulberi. Puisi ini telah membuktikan China telah menguasai teknologi menternakkan ulat sutera dan menenun kain sutera.

Pada Dinasti Xihan, selepas pegawai Zhang Qian berutus ke kawasan barat, kawasan Asia Tengah Sekarang, barangan sutera China telah diangkut ke Eropah. Warga negara barat ketika melihat kain sutera yang licin itu, dianggap sebagai barangan amat berharga dan masing-masing membelinya. Difahamkan, raja Caesar Empayar Rom pernah memakai jubah yang dibuat daripada sutera China untuk menonton persembahan, jubahnya telah menyimbulkan keributan di teater itu. Columbus pernah berkata kepada anak kapal bahawa siapa mendapati tanah terlebih daluha akan dihadiahkan sebuah baju sutera. Akan tetapi, harga sutera sangat mahal seperti emas, Empayar Rom telah muncul defisit kewangan kerana mengimport sutera yang mahal. Maka, suruhan yang melarang menjual dan memakai pakaian sutera China telah dikeluarkan, akan tetapi ia telah ditentang keras oleh bangsawan yang suka sutera China, pada akhirnya, suruhan tersebut terpaksa dibatalkan oleh Empayar Rom.

Pada mulanya, warga negara Eropah tidak tahu sutera China bagaimana dikeluarkan, mereka menganggap benang sutera diambil dari pokok. Selepas diketahui kain sutera ditenun dengan benang sutera yang dikeluarkan daripada ulat sutera, mereka telah berazam belajar teknologi itu.

Pada abad ke-6, raja Empayar Rom telah memangkil seorang mubaligh yang pernah ke China, mesyuruh dia mencuri teknologi menternakkan ulat sutera. Mubaligh itu datang ke provinsi Yunan China, mengetahui pokok mulberi ditanam dengan benih mulberi, ulat sutera adalah telur ulat sutera ditetaskan selama seminggu pada musim bunga, selepas anak ulat sutera ditetaskan, menternakkannya dengan daun mulberi, ulat sutera akan memutar sutera. Mubaligh itu diketahui perkara tersebut telah menculik beberapa telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi dan kembalik ke negaranya. Akan tetapi, Mubaligh telah keliru kedua-dua barangan itu, beliau telah menanam telur ulat sutera dan menetaskan benih mulberi, tidak berhasil. Kemudian, raja Empayar Rom telah menghantar dua Mubaligh lagi ke China untuk menculik cara penternakan ulat sutera. Kedua-dua Mubaligh telah menerima ajaran dan mengingati cara penanaman dan penetasan dengan baik, menyimpan telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi dalam tongkat dan mengambil balik ke Rom. Sejak itu, teknologi penternakan ulat sutera dipopularkan di negara Barat.

Tentang perkataan lain tentang teknologi penternakan ulat sutera China diedarkan di negara barat dari buku “cacatan kawasan barat di Dinasti Tang” yang ditulis oleh sami Xuanzang. Buku itu menceritakan bahawa di kawasan barat ada negara kecil yang dinamakan Qu Sa Dan Na hendak mendapat teknologi penternakan ulat sutera, mereka meminta negara “Dong Guo” mengajar mereka akan tetapi ditolak bahkan meningkatkan peperiksaan di pintu keluar masuk, mencegah telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi diedarkan ke negara lain. Menurut penyelidikan sarjana, negara “Dong Guo” ialah negara Beiwei. Raja negara Qu Sa Dan Na selepas ditolak telah meminta berkahwin dengan puteri negara Dong Guo, raja negara Dong Guo bersetuju. Sebelum upacara perkahwinan diadakan, raja Qu Sa Dan Na menghantar utusannya memberitahu puteri, meminta beliau mengambil beberapa telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi. Puteri itu telah menerima permintaan itu, sebelum meninggalkan negara Dong Guo, puteri itu telah menyimpan telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi dalam topinya. Ketika keluar dari negara Dong Guo, para pegawai telah memeriksa semua barangan puteri tetapi tidak berani memeriksa topinya. Jadi, telur ulat sutera dan benih mulberi dibawa ke negara Qu Sa Dan Na, kemudian diederkan ke negara barat.

Catatan Xuan Zang itu dibuktikan oleh sebuah lukisan di Xinjiang yang didapati oleh seorang penjelajah warga Hangari. Di tengah lukisan itu ada seorang wanita memakai pakaian yang mewah dan kepalanya ada topi, di sebelah kiri dan kanan ada 2 orang pembantu, pembantu di sebelah kiri tangannya menunjukkan topi wanita itu. Wanita itu ialah puteri negara Dong Guo yang mengedar benih mulberi dan telur ulat sutera ke negara barat.

Sumber:http://malay.cri.cn/chinaabc/chapter14/chapter140506.htm

Wood Properties of the Fruitless Mulberry Tree

Mulberry trees are native to both North America and Asia. In North America, the fruitless tree is found mainly in the eastern half of the United States and Canada. In Asia, the mulberry tree is the only food of the silkworm. A favored shade tree, growing from 20 to 60 feet tall at maturity, the fruitless mulberry is used extensively in both urban and country landscapes. Drought and heat tolerant, the mulberry tree tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and is resistant to many common tree diseases.

Mulberry wood

The mulberry tree (Morus alba) is a deciduous species with bright green, lobed leaves of various sizes and shapes, all on the same tree. The tree produces heavy, gnarled surface roots that are harvested and used for lamp bases, picture frames or other artistic home decor items. The roots are scraped or peeled to expose the fine wood grain and color of the wood--a brilliant yellow sapwood with a pale tan heart. Mulberry wood will darken when exposed to sunlight.

Pliability

Mulberry wood is frequently used for sports equipment.Mulberry wood, also called murrey, is prized for its use in crafting fine furniture. Fruitless mulberry wood is tight-grained, attractive and easy to work with. Mulberry wood bends and forms easily with heat or steam. Similar to ash, mulberry has a "springy" quality that makes the wood a favorite for manufacturing sports equipment such as baseball bats and bows. The wood can be readily turned on a lathe without splitting.

Other Uses

Mulberry wood barrels

Mulberry wood is also used extensively in the manufacture of agricultural implements and barrels. Because mulberry wood is easily bent and formed, it lends itself to rounded configuration of barrels, buckets and yokes. The pliable, easily bent twigs of the mulberry tree are often used to make beautiful baskets. The twigs have a deep reddish-gold coloration and twisted character prized by wood artisans.

Sap

Mature mulberry tree

Mulberry trees produce a thick milky sap when cut. The sap makes the tree somewhat difficult to cut and will damage saw blades. The sap is difficult to remove from hands and clothing.

Read more: Wood Properties of the Fruitless Mulberry Tree | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6148288_wood-properties-fruitless-mulberry-tree.html#ixzz1SbsgpMjs

Red Mulberry Tree Facts

The red mulberry tree differs from its close cousin, the white mulberry, in that it is a native tree, growing in much of the eastern United States. Red mulberry trees produce a fruit that is an ingredient in jams, muffins, pies, and many other recipes.

Leaves

The red mulberry is easily identified by an unusual aspect of its leaves--on the same tree, the leaves can have very different shapes, some oval and others having two or more lobes.

Size

The trunk of the typical red mulberry has a diameter between 2 and 3 feet. The height of the tree can be between 60 and 70 feet if the mulberry grows in an open area.

Texture

The upper side of a red mulberry leaf feels rough to the touch. On the other side, the leaf is fuzzy.

Berries

The juicy berries ripen to a dark red-black color during the summer and grow as long as 1.5 inches.

Sexes

You can tell the sex of a mulberry tree by its flowers. The tree is dioecious, which means it has male or female reproductive parts. The males have flowers that are cream colored, while the female has flowers that are green; only the female mulberry tree will develop fruit

Read more: Red Mulberry Tree Facts

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_6177404_red-mulberry-tree.html#ixzz1Sbb4kBbP

Mulberry Tree Facts II

Mulberry trees are originally native to Eastern and Central China and later spread to Europe. Nowadays, this loved tree and its berries have been introduced to many countries around the world.

Mulberries.

"Nature's open palm" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: lepiaf.geo (Gordana Adamovic-Mladenovic) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.

Types

The mulberry tree has two main species, native red mulberry (Morus Rubra) and Asian white mulberry (Morus Alba). Other species include the American and black mulberry while cross species exist, as well.

Height

Mulberry tree heights vary depending on the species. White mulberry trees can grow between 40 feet to 80 feet tall and the native red mulberry grows up to 70 feet tall. The smallest mulberry tree, the black mulberry, typically grows as a bush that measures 30 feet high.

Flowers

From the flowers it can be determined that mulberry trees are dioecious or monoecious, male or female, and sometimes will change from one sex to another. Round female flowers are the ones that will become the fruit or the berries.

Fruits

White mulberries are white with visible little black seeds on the outside of the berry. Red mulberries become dark purples, almost black when ripe and start to fall off of the tree themselves.

Growing Facts

Mulberry trees need space, a lot of sun, and can take up to 10 years to grow fruit. They should be planted at least 15 feet apart giving each tree adequate space.

Read more: Mulberry Tree Facts

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/facts_5553191_mulberry-tree.html#ixzz1SbZVSBgt

Jualan Anak Pokok Malberi

Kita sedang menggalakkan orang ramai untuk menanam dan menjadikan pokok Malberi sebagai satu pokok hiasan di laman rumah masing-masing.Konsep yang kami perkenalkan ialah

SATU RUMAH, SATU MALBERI

Setiap rumah perlu menanam pokok Malberi sama ada di halaman rumah, dalam pasu atau sebagainya sebagai satu pokok hiasan yang tidak merugikan kerana sambil kita menanam dan membersihkan halaman kita dapat merasakan keenakan buah malberi tersebut. Untuk berbuah dengan banyak , pastikan pucuknya hendaklah sentiasa dipotong (trim) bagi penghasilan buah dan baja yang mencukupi. Buahnya manis apabila bertukar dari merah kepada warna hitam. Dapatkan anak pokok tersebut dari kami di talian 0192272127 atau tapak nursery di Sg. Buloh. Disebabkan permintaan diluar jangkaan,promosi benih pokok ini dilanjutkan kepada 1 April 2010 dengan harga RM5/pokok.

Mulanya tanam suka-suka, kini menguntungkan

Menerima pelawaan membuat liputan mengenai tanaman malberi menimbulkan pelbagai persoalan mengenai pokok yang menjadi santapan ulat sutera ini. Bertemu dengan mantan guru, Khadijah Mustapa, 58, merungkai segala persoalan yang terbuku sejak seminggu.

Memulakan bicara, Khadijah bercerita, sebatang ranting malberi yang dibawa oleh seorang ahli keluarga sekembali dari United Kingdom (UK) mengubah kehidupannya sekeluarga. Katanya, pokok malberi tumbuh subur di UK bagaikan kawasan semak dan buahnya yang masam-manis enak dimakan terutama bagi pelajar negara ini.

"Dengan sebatang dahan, suami saya, Abdul Jalil Nong menanamnya secara suka-suka kerana kami sekeluarga memang gemar bertani," katanya semasa ditemui di rumahnya di Kampung Rasa Tambahan, Rasa, Hulu Selangor, Selangor.

Apabila pokok malberi yang ditanam mula mengeluarkan hasil, Khadijah membuat jem serta jus dan memberikannya kepada guru sekolah di tempatnya mengajar.

"Sambutan yang diterima amat menggalakkan dan ramai yang ingin membeli produk baru ini," katanya sentiasa mendapatkan maklumat mengenai malberi melalui Internet. Mendapati pokok dan buah malberi mempunyai banyak kegunaan, Khadijah mula menghasilkan jus, jem, teh dan dadih bagi kegunaan sendiri.

Bagaimanapun rakan serta keluarga yang berkunjung ke rumah dan merasai produk malberi hasilan tangan Khadijah menggalakkan beliau mengkomersialkannya. Bermula dengan menjual pada rakan dan sahabat di sekolah serta jiran berhampiran, Khadijah mula terfikir mengkomersialkannya.

Setelah lima tahun mengusahakan jem malberi secara kecil-kecilan, setelah bersara Khadijah mula mengambil langkah membesarkan perniagaannya. Menerima nasihat rakannya Zainon Ariffin, Khadijah meminta khidmat nasihat Jabatan Pertanian bagi meningkatkan mutu produk jem buatannya selain menghasilkan produk lain seperti jus, teh dan topping dadih. "Jabatan Pertanian membantu memberikan khidmat nasihat mengenai pembuatan jem, teh, jus dan dadih.

"Saya juga menggunakan kemudahan di Jabatan Pertanian Rasa bagi menghasilkan produk," katanya yang menghasilkan dan mengeluarkan produk di bawah syarikat DMJ Enterprise. Bagi memenuhi permintaan yang semakin bertambah, Khadijah yang sekarang mengusahakan tanaman malberi di tanah seluas suku ekar kini mula menanamnya di kawasan seluas kira-kira empat hektar (11 ekar) di Batang Kali, Selangor.

Khadijah menanam pokok malberi secara berperingkat bagi membolehkan hasil dituai secara berterusan.

Ditanya mengenai pengurusan tanaman malberi, beliau berkata, malberi mudah ditanam dan dijaga tetapi tanaman ini menarik ulat beluncas dan burung. "Pokok malberi, pokok renek seakan-akan semak mengambil masa tiga bulan untuk berbuah dan biasanya buah yang pertama kali tidak digunakan. "Kami menggunakan buah yang terhasil pada kali ke dua dan seterusnya bagi memastikan mutu," katanya yang mendapat bantuan pelbagai agensi kerajaan seperti Mara, Lembaga Pemasaran Pertanian Persekutuan (FAMA) dan Jabatan Pertanian.

Buah malberi yang unik tetapi mempunyai keistimewaan untuk menghasilkan banyak produk hiliran.

Ulat sutera

Memandangkan daun malberi adalah makanan ulat sutera, musuh semulajadinya adalah ulat beluncas.

Bagi menghalang ulat beluncas, Khadijah tidak menggunakan racun serangga sebaliknya hanya hanya membuang serangga yang ada.

Mengenai ancaman burung pula, Khadijah tidak menggunakan malberi sisa makanan burung dan hanya buah yang sempurna.

Mencari maklumat mengenai pokok malberi, Khadijah mendapat tahu, buah malberi masak boleh dimakan mentah.

Selain itu, buah malberi juga boleh digunakan dalam masakan seperti pai, tart dan minuman kordial.

Buah malberi hitam yang biasa terdapat di barat daya Asia, manakala malberi merah yang ditemui di Amerika Utara mempunyai rasa yang kuat.

Malberi hitam, merah dan putih terdapat dengan banyaknya di India, Azerbaijan, Syria, Armenia, Pakistan, Iran dan Afghanistan dipanggil malberi unggul.

Buah malberi hitam pula diimport ke Britain dalam abad ke-17, atas alasan membantu industri ulat sutera.

Bagaimanapun malberi banyak digunakan dalam perubatan tradisional terutama untuk merawat kurap.

Pokok malberi dibawa ke negara ini oleh pedagang Cina sebagai makanan ulat sutera dan sebagai ramuan ubatan tradisional.

Malahan tumbuhan ini mempunyai pelbagai khasiat dalam perubatan tradisional cina sejak 1800 tahun lalu.

Keseluruhan pokok boleh dimanfaatkan, di mana buahnya boleh dimakan mentah atau dibuat jem, daunnya dijadikan teh dan batang serta akar boleh direbus untuk diminum.

Khasiatnya paling popular dalam formulasi tradisional bagi mengelakkan kencing manis, mengurangkan tekanan darah tinggi serta merendahkan paras kolestrol dalam darah.

Info pokok malberi

Malberi atau morus merupakan 10 hingga 16 jenis spesies pokok daun luruh yang biasa terdapat di kawasan temperat panas dan subtropikal di Asia, Afrika, Eropah dan Amerika dengan majoritinya di Asia.

lBerkait rapat dengan genus Broussonetia juga dikenali dengan malberi atau Paper mulberry, Broussonetia papyrifera.

Klasifikasi saintifik

Alam: Plantae

Filum: Magnoliophyta

Kelas: Magnoliopsida

Order: Rosales

Famili: Moraceae

Kumpulan: Moreae

Genus: Morus

Berminat untuk dapatkan produk dari malberi dan benih malberi, hubungi 019-2272127