Mulberry Root Bark
Overview
Mulberry is a tree whose every part appears in the Donguibogam — root bark, leaf, twig, fruit, even the white lichen on its bark — and this entry is the root-bark head of that family. Its recorded action is to drain excess from the lung, relieve wheezing, and move water: for wheezing fullness, floating edema, and cough with blood in the sputum. The text gives a pointed harvest rule: the root must be one that has gone into the ground, as "roots that have emerged from the soil kill people." The inner white bark is taken after scraping off the rough outer layer with a copper knife, and roots running east were considered best.
In the Donguibogam
寶鑑
Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam
- Drains the lung, relieves wheezing
- Moves water, reduces edema
- Dissolves phlegm
- Benefits the intestines
Traditional applications recorded in the classical text
- Wheezing cough with fullness in the chest
- Edema from water-qi
- Cough with blood-streaked sputum
- Thirst with phlegm
Traditional preparation
Scrape off the rough outer bark with a copper knife and take the white inner bark; dry in the sun. Use raw to promote urination; honey-steamed or fried for cough.
This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.
Cautions
Frequently asked questions
What is the harvesting warning about?
The text states that roots exposed above the soil "kill people," meaning only the buried root’s inner white bark was accepted — a rule you would never need to test yourself.
Are the leaves, twigs, and fruit used too?
Yes, as separate entries: leaf for edema and wind pain, twig (mulberry twig tea) for wind and edema, and the fruit (오디) recorded as cold and sweet for wasting-thirst.
Why raw in some uses and honey-treated in others?
The text says raw bark is used to promote urination, while for cough it is honey-steamed or fried, a typical classical way of moistening an herb for lung use.
Sources
- 『동의보감』 탕액편, 허준, 1613 (원문) — 한문 원문
- 한의학고전DB (mediclassics.kr) — 원문 및 국역 자료 참조