Mulberry leaf (Morus alba): Uses, Evidence and Safety
White mulberry leaf (Morus alba): what research says about blood sugar after meals, why it can add to diabetes medicines, and what is unknown for pregnancy and surgery.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read herb safety and interactions before you use anything on this page.
What is Mulberry leaf good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Blood sugar after meals
Preliminary or mixedLeaf powders and extracts lowered blood sugar and insulin after meals in several small trials, but results varied a lot between trials.
Supplements: Possible short-term effect after meals; not shown to be an effective treatment.
Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c and fasting glucose)
Preliminary or mixedResults on longer-term blood sugar markers disagree between reviews.
Supplements: Mixed; product, plant part and population differ between trials.
Insulin sensitivity and body weight
Preliminary or mixedOne trial of a combination product (berberine, mulberry leaf extract, chromium) improved insulin sensitivity in adults with obesity.
Supplements: Not shown for mulberry alone.
Slowing starch digestion (1-deoxynojirimycin)
Lab or animal research onlyA compound in the leaf, DNJ, blocks enzymes that break down starch; this is the proposed way it lowers after-meal sugar.
Supplements: The mechanism is lab-based; clinical benefit is limited.
Antioxidant compounds
Lab or animal research onlyThe leaves contain antioxidant compounds found in lab studies.
Supplements: No human benefit shown in the sources read.
Traditional use for diabetes, cough and fever
Not enough evidenceIn traditional Chinese medicine the leaf has been used for diabetes, cough, sore throat, fever and bronchitis.
Supplements: No proof for the cough, throat or fever uses in the sources read.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (2)
- Blood Sugar BalancePreliminary or mixed
Small trials show lower blood sugar after meals, but reviews call the evidence insufficient to conclude it is effective, and longer-term results are mixed.
- Metabolic HealthPreliminary or mixed
Reviews report some metabolic marker changes, but results differ by product and plant part and more trials are needed.
Body systems (3)
- Blood Sugar SupportPreliminary or mixed
The leaf's main studied use is blood sugar after meals; evidence is limited and mixed.
- Digestive SystemDocumented risk
Bloating, gas, constipation and loose stools are the most common side effects in studies up to 12 weeks.
- Metabolism & WeightPreliminary or mixed
A combination-product trial improved insulin sensitivity in adults with obesity; the mulberry share cannot be separated.
Body parts (2)
Functional actions (3)
- Blood Sugar RegulationPreliminary or mixed
The main studied action; trials show lower after-meal glucose but evidence is limited and long-term results are mixed.
- AntioxidantLab or animal research only
Antioxidant compounds are found in the leaves in lab studies; no human benefit is shown.
- Metabolic OptimizationPreliminary or mixed
Reviews report some metabolic marker changes; evidence is mixed.
Root causes (2)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
May add to diabetes medicines and risk low blood sugar.
- Blood Sugar ImbalancePreliminary or mixed
Studied for raised blood sugar; evidence is limited and reviews say it is not enough to call it effective.
Biomarkers (3)
- Blood GlucosePreliminary or mixed
After-meal glucose was lower in several trials; fasting glucose did not change significantly in the 2022 review.
- HbA1cPreliminary or mixed
The 2022 review found no significant HbA1c change; a 2025 analysis of 15 trials reported improvement. Evidence conflicts.
- InsulinPreliminary or mixed
After-meal insulin curves were lower in a pooled analysis; a lower insulin response is not proof of a health benefit.
Documented risks and interactions (4)
- Low blood sugar when combined with diabetes medicines. Taking mulberry leaf with diabetes medicines may push blood sugar too low.
- Digestive side effects. Bloating, gas, constipation and loose stools are the most common effects in studies up to 12 weeks.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. It is unclear whether the leaf is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- Allergy to mulberry. Mulberry allergy can cause breathing symptoms, hives, mouth itching and, rarely, severe reactions.
Safety first: blood-sugar medicines, pregnancy and surgery
Mulberry leaf is mainly sold to help with blood sugar, and that is exactly why it needs care. NCCIH (part of NIH) says that taking it with diabetes medicines may risk low blood sugar. [1] A consumer drug reference rates the combination as a moderate interaction and names medicines such as insulin, metformin, glipizide and pioglitazone as examples. [7] It also says blood sugar should be checked closely and that the medicine dose may need adjusting, which is a decision for the prescriber, not for you. [7] NCCIH says it is unclear whether the leaf is safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding, and the consumer reference advises avoiding it. [1][7] We did not find any statement about mulberry leaf before surgery in the sources we read. Tell your pharmacist, doctor and surgical team about any mulberry product. See how herb and medicine interactions work, herbs and diabetes medicines and supplements before surgery.Overview
White mulberry leaf comes from Morus alba, a tree in the family Moraceae; GBIF lists Morus alba L. as the accepted name. [8] NCCIH says the plant is native to China but now grows in temperate and tropical regions around the world. [1] This page is about the leaf (also sold as a tea, powder, capsule or extract). The berries, the bark and the twigs are different plant parts with different research, and NCCIH says safety information for the berries is insufficient. [1] Many modern products are labelled by their content of 1-deoxynojirimycin (DNJ), a sugar-like compound in the leaf that slows the breakdown of starches in the gut. [3][6]Traditional use (not proof of benefit)
NCCIH says the leaves are used as food and tea in parts of Asia, and in traditional Chinese medicine for diabetes, cough, sore throat, fever and bronchitis. [1] Long use is not proof that a product works. The human research is covered in the next section.What research shows
NCCIH sums it up this way: some studies suggest mulberry leaf may lower raised blood glucose, but several were preliminary or not done in people, others found no effect, and clinical research is limited. [1]| Use | What the sources found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar rise after a meal | A 2022 review of 13 trials (10 to 85 people each) found lower blood sugar and insulin curves after meals, but the results varied a lot between trials. The authors said the evidence was not enough to call it an effective way to lower blood glucose. [2] A small 2016 trial of a leaf extract coated on rice in women with impaired glucose tolerance found lower glucose 30 minutes after meals, but 34 percent of participants dropped out. [3] | Promising but limited | Powders, capsules and extracts; healthy people, people with impaired glucose tolerance and with type 2 diabetes |
| Long-term blood sugar (HbA1c, fasting glucose) | The 2022 review found no significant change in HbA1c (4 trials) or fasting glucose (3 trials). [2] A 2025 analysis of 15 trials (1,202 people) reported improvement in both, noting that results differed by plant part and that larger studies are needed. [4] | Mixed | Mulberry extracts; adults, mostly with metabolic problems |
| Body weight and insulin sensitivity | One 2026 trial in 93 adults with obesity gave a combination of berberine, mulberry leaf extract and chromium. Insulin sensitivity improved, but with no single-ingredient groups the role of mulberry cannot be separated. [9] | Insufficient evidence | Combination product; adults with obesity |
| Cholesterol and blood fats | The 2025 analysis pooled lipids with other measures; the abstract we read gives no separate lipid result for the leaf. [4] | Proper evidence not found in the sources we read | Not applicable |
| Mulberry twig alkaloids | A 2025 review of 10 trials (1,178 people) found twig alkaloids beat placebo for HbA1c in type 2 diabetes, with cautions about differences between trials and possible bias. [5] This is a different plant part and product from the leaf. | Promising but limited (twig, not leaf) | Twig alkaloid products; adults with type 2 diabetes |
| Lab and animal findings | NCCIH notes antioxidant compounds in the leaves. [1] Such findings do not show a benefit in people. | Lab/animal findings only | Not applicable |
Mulberry compared with standard diabetes medicines: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read. Reviews of mulberry call it at most an extra, supervised option, not a replacement for diabetes treatment. [5]
Forms and why the form matters
Trials used powders, capsules, tablets and extracts, and the amounts of active compounds differed a great deal. [2] One trial extract was standardized to about 5 mg of DNJ per gram, which shows how labels can differ. [3] A tea, a plain powder and a concentrated extract are not the same, so a result for one form should not be assumed for another. Leaf, berry, bark and twig products are different things. How much to take is a decision for a clinician or pharmacist, not this page. See reading an herbal supplement label.Safety in more detail
- Common side effects: NCCIH says studies of up to 12 weeks found no serious harm; the most common effect is digestive upset such as bloating, constipation, gas or loose stools. [1] The 2022 review reported similar mild digestive effects, and one trial noted a small amount of protein in the urine. [2]
- Medicines: the main concern is low blood sugar when taken with diabetes medicines. [1][7] Other medicine interactions: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.
- Pregnancy: unclear whether safe; the consumer reference advises avoiding it. [1][7] See pregnancy and breastfeeding safety.
- Breastfeeding: unclear whether safe. [1][7]
- Children: Proper evidence not found in the sources we read.
- Liver and kidney: the sources we read do not describe a liver or kidney warning for the leaf in people, but we could not read an NIH LiverTox entry for it, so we make no claim either way. A review of trials of twig alkaloids reported no liver damage compared with placebo. [5]
- Allergy: a 2025 review says mulberry allergy exists and can cause breathing symptoms, hives, mouth itching and, rarely, severe reactions. [6]
- Quality and contamination: NCCIH notes that the FDA does not approve supplements before sale, and the maker is responsible for safety and labeling. [1] Adulteration of mulberry products was not discussed in the sources we read. See quality testing and certifications.
Official statements
- NCCIH (US), page last updated September 2023: summary of the research and cautions above. [1]
- EMA (EU): we did not find a herbal monograph or public summary for mulberry leaf in the sources we read.
- FDA (US): NCCIH notes supplements are not approved before sale. [1] A review also says DNJ is not yet approved as a food supplement; we did not find the regulator's own wording. [6]
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
Does mulberry leaf lower blood sugar?
Some trials found lower blood sugar after meals, but results varied and a 2022 review said the evidence was not enough to call it effective. [2] NCCIH says clinical research is limited and other trials found no effect. [1]
Can I take mulberry leaf with diabetes medicine?
NCCIH warns of a risk of low blood sugar when it is combined with diabetes medicines. [1] Ask your doctor or pharmacist first, and do not change your medicine on your own.
What are the side effects of mulberry leaf?
Mostly mild digestive upset such as bloating, gas, constipation or loose stools in studies up to 12 weeks. [1]
Is mulberry leaf safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding?
NCCIH says it is unclear. [1] A consumer drug reference advises avoiding it. [7]
Is mulberry leaf the same as mulberry berries or twig extract?
No. They are different plant parts with different research, and berry safety information is insufficient. [1][5]
References
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). White Mulberry Leaf. Page last updated September 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- Jeong HI, Jang S, Kim KH. Morus alba L. (white mulberry) for blood sugar management: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Evaluation of a standardized extract from Morus alba against alpha-glucosidase inhibitory effect and postprandial antihyperglycemic effect in patients with impaired glucose tolerance: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2016. Read 2026-10-23.
- Integrative evidence on mulberry extract for modulating metabolic risk factors associated with vascular dementia. Meta-analysis, Int J Mol Sci, 2025, PMID 40943306. Abstract read 2026-10-23 via Europe PMC.
- Mulberry twig alkaloids for type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025, PMID 40083380. Abstract read 2026-10-23 via Europe PMC.
- Insights into the activities and usefulness of deoxynojirimycin and Morus alba: a comprehensive review. Molecules, 2025, PMID 40807388. Abstract read 2026-10-23 via Europe PMC.
- RxList (consumer drug reference). White Mulberry. Used only for interaction and pregnancy statements not found elsewhere. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match for Morus alba. Read 2026-10-23.
- Effects of berberine, white mulberry leaf extract and chromium picolinate on body composition and insulin resistance in adults with obesity: a randomized controlled trial. Nutrients, 2026, PMID 42738972. Abstract read 2026-10-23 via Europe PMC.