Mulberry root bark can be used medicinally, so it is important to understand its effects and harvesting methods

Mulberry root bark is the root cortex of the mulberry, a plant in the Moraceae family. After the rough outer bark is removed and the woody core is pulled out, it is sun-dried to become the commonly seen Chinese medicinal material Sangbaipi, also known as mulberry root bark or mulberry bark. It is another useful part of the mulberry tree besides the leaves and fruit, and is mostly collected when mulberry orchards are renewed or old trees are properly root-thinned.

Dried mulberry root bark is mostly twisted into tube-like rolls, trough shapes or flat pieces. The outer surface is white or pale yellowish-white, while the inner surface is slightly darker and has fine longitudinal lines. The texture is flexible and highly fibrous, not easy to break but easy to tear lengthwise, with a faint odor and a slightly sweet taste, and an obvious fibrous feel when chewed.

From a medicinal point of view, Sangbaipi is cold in nature and sweet in taste. Traditionally it is considered to have the effects of purging the lungs and relieving asthma, and promoting diuresis to reduce swelling, and it often appears in formula combinations for conditions such as cough and asthma due to lung heat and edema with distention and fullness. In use, it is mostly processed and combined with other medicinal materials. The specific usage and dosage should be determined by a doctor according to the actual situation, and taking it blindly on one's own is not recommended.

Harvesting is generally arranged from after leaf fall in late autumn to before sprouting in early spring. At this time the roots are rich in nutrients and the root bark quality is relatively better. After digging out the roots, wash off the soil, scrape away the yellow-brown rough outer bark while fresh, then peel off the inner bark and pull out the woody core, spread it out and sun-dry it for storage. During storage, keep it in a dry, ventilated place to prevent moisture and mold.

For growers, the quality of mulberry root bark is closely related to the level of mulberry orchard management. By routinely doing a good job with water and fertilizer management and pest and disease control, the mulberry root system develops robustly, and the root bark harvested is more dependable. At the same time, digging should be moderate to avoid damaging too many roots and affecting the normal growth of the mulberry trees the following year.