Is White Mulberry Poisonous?

close up of white mulberry fruit and leaves

The Bottom Line

White mulberry is a leafy tree that grows across the United States. The leaves contain considerable amounts of fiber and protein, and white mulberry leaf extracts are used as a dietary supplement for management of blood sugar, weight, and other conditions. White mulberry is generally associated with few adverse effects in humans.

branch on white mulberry tree

What is white mulberry?

White mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a deciduous tree that originated in China, Japan, and India, but is now found worldwide. White mulberry has been used as a traditional herbal remedy since at least 3000 B.C. The leaves of the plant contain multiple biologically active compounds, including antioxidants, amino acids, and alkaloids, which may have beneficial health effects. The leaves, fruit, and bark of the mulberry tree have historically been used to prevent and treat cancer, inflammation, diabetes, bacterial infections, and other conditions. The fruits of the white mulberry tree are often processed into jam, juice, and wine. The leaves of the white mulberry plant contain high concentrations of fiber and protein. In many countries, white mulberry leaves are used as a food source for both animals and humans. In Korea, powdered white mulberry leaves are used to make ice cream.

What do white mulberries look like?

Despite its name, white mulberry fruit is typically white, pale red or deep purple in color when ripe. White mulberry fruit is often smaller than red mulberry fruit, and unripened berries of both species may be white in appearance. When ripe, both red and white mulberries are juicy and have a sweet taste. 

Where does white mulberry grow?

Currently, white mulberry trees grow worldwide and are found throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia. The trees grow easily under various environmental conditions, and are cheap to maintain. White mulberry tree bark is often orange/brown in color. The plant’s leaves can be oval or irregular in shape, and the fruits resemble blackberries.

What is white mulberry used for?

White mulberry leaf extract is often used as a dietary supplement to improve blood sugar control, control obesity, and improve antioxidant activity within the human body. White mulberry extract has also been studied as a remedy for chemotherapy drug toxicity. In addition to their use in dietary supplements, white mulberry extracts are also found as ingredients in some cosmetic products. 

Can you eat white mulberry leaves?

White mulberry is generally considered to be edible and is associated with minimal toxicity in both humans and animals. In animal studies involving mice and rats, consumption of substantial amounts of white mulberry leaf extract did not result in adverse events or death. 

Does white mulberry cause weight loss?

White mulberry contains compounds that may reduce carbohydrate digestion, lower blood glucose levels, and improve lipid metabolism in the body. Because of these effects on digestion and metabolism, scientists have investigated the effects of white mulberry dietary supplements on weight loss. In one study, obese individuals who used white mulberry extract for 90 days had significantly more weight loss than those who took a placebo pill.

What are side effects of white mulberry use?

Since white mulberry reduces carbohydrate digestion, some people who take it may develop mild gastrointestinal distress including nausea, abdominal bloating, and abdominal discomfort.  Dietary supplements are not highly regulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, therefore supplements that contain white mulberry may also have unwanted contaminants that can result in adverse or unexpected side effects.

Is mulberry illegal?

White mulberry trees can withstand extremes in temperatures, can regenerate after being damaged in freezing weather, and can tolerate various soil conditions. Because of this, white mulberry can grow in areas ranging from busy roadsides to forests. The tree’s aggressive roots can uproot sidewalks and disrupt home foundations. Given its invasive nature, the white mulberry is considered to be a nuisance species and is banned in certain areas of the country.

What do I do if I get sick after eating white mulberry?

If you experience adverse or unexpected symptoms from white mulberry, or take too much, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at webPOISONCONTROL and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicologist

For media inquiries, please contact Krista Osterthaler at osterthaler@poison.org.

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Use only USP-verified dietary supplements and herbal products.
  • Tell your doctor about all dietary supplements and non-prescription medications that you are taking.
  • Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting new medications or dietary supplements, to ensure there are no drug interactions present.

This Really Happened

Thirty-eight healthy adult volunteers consumed a single dose of white mulberry extract or placebo, in a study that investigated the effect of white mulberry leaf extract on blood sugar levels. The white mulberry extract was very well tolerated by all study participants, and no adverse events were reported during the study period.

For More Information

White mulberry (Woody Invasives of the Great Lakes Collaborative)

White Mulberry (Missouri Department of Conservation)


References

Albequerque Journal. Mulberry trees are banned by the city. Available at https://www.abqjournal.com/393818/mulberry-trees-are-banned-by-the-city.html. Accessed August 28, 2022.

Blitek K, Pruchniewicz D, Bąbelewski P, Czaplicka-Pędzich M, Kubus M. Dependence of the Distribution and Structure of the White Mulberry (Morus alba) Population in Wrocław on the Intensity of Anthropopressure and Thermal Conditions. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 12;19(2):838.

Da Villa G, Ianiro G, Mangiola F, Del Toma E, Vitale A, Gasbarrini A, Gasbarrini G. White mulberry supplementation as adjuvant treatment of obesity. J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2014 Jan-Mar;28(1):141-5.

Gryn-Rynko A, Bazylak G, Olszewska-Slonina D. New potential phytotherapeutics obtained from white mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves. Biomed Pharmacother. 2016 Dec;84:628-636. 

Jan B, Parveen R, Zahiruddin S, Khan MU, Mohapatra S, Ahmad S. Nutritional constituents of mulberry and their potential applications in food and pharmaceuticals: A review. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2021 Jul;28(7):3909-3921. 

Lee D, Yu JS, Lee SR, Hwang GS, Kang KS, Park JG, Kim HY, Kim KH, Yamabe N. Beneficial Effects of Bioactive Compounds in Mulberry Fruits against Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Apr 9;19(4):1117.

Li Y, Zhang X, Liang C, Hu J, Yu Z. Safety evaluation of mulberry leaf extract: Acute, subacute toxicity and genotoxicity studies. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2018 Jun;95:220-226.

Oliveira AM, Nascimento MF, Ferreira MR, Moura DF, Souza TG, Silva GC, Ramos EH, Paiva PM, Medeiros PL, Silva TG, Soares LA, Chagas CA, Souza IA, Napoleão TH. Evaluation of acute toxicity, genotoxicity and inhibitory effect on acute inflammation of an ethanol extract of Morus alba L. (Moraceae) in mice. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:162-168.

Przeor M. Some Common Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Activity, Known and Available in Europe (A Mini-Review). Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2022 Jan 4;15(1):65.

Purdue University Forestry and Natural Resources. Red and white mulberry in Indiana. Available at https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/fnr/fnr_237.pdf. Accessed September 1, 2022.

Suriyaprom S, Kaewkod T, Promputtha I, Desvaux M, Tragoolpua Y. Evaluation of Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of White Mulberry (Morus alba L.) Fruit Extracts. Plants (Basel). 2021 Dec 12;10(12):2736. 

Thondre PS, Lightowler H, Ahlstrom L, Gallagher A. Mulberry leaf extract improves glycaemic response and insulaemic response to sucrose in healthy subjects: results of a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2021 Apr 15;18(1):41. 

Poisoned?

Call 1-800-222-1222 or

HELP ME online

Prevention Tips

  • Use only USP-verified dietary supplements and herbal products.
  • Tell your doctor about all dietary supplements and non-prescription medications that you are taking.
  • Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting new medications or dietary supplements, to ensure there are no drug interactions present.

This Really Happened

Thirty-eight healthy adult volunteers consumed a single dose of white mulberry extract or placebo, in a study that investigated the effect of white mulberry leaf extract on blood sugar levels. The white mulberry extract was very well tolerated by all study participants, and no adverse events were reported during the study period.