Good Uses of Mulberry Fruit for Skin
- According to the Fruitarian Foundation, mulberries are rich in vitamin A, potassium, phosphorus and calcium. In addition, mulberries contain the highest levels of antioxidants of any berries. Antioxidants protect the body from harmful oxidation of free radicals.
According to Dr. Ping Zhang, a specialist in Oriental medicine, the antioxidants in mulberries can clear dark spots from the face and brighten the skin. Mulberries regulate melanin synthesis, thus reducing dark spots and blemishes. She recommends eating them or turning them into beverages such as mulberry tea or a mulberry smoothie. Mulberry tea can be made by infusing the mulberry leaves in a pot of hot water for a half hour. Not only is it good for the skin, but mulberry tea is also used to treat colds, fevers, dry itchy eyes and sore throats. - Make mulberry-infused oils by steeping mulberry leaves in olive oil or coconut oil for several days. Use the oil in lotions or salves for dry, irritated skin. Mulberries can also be used in baths in the form of bath salts or soaps. Traditional Chinese medicine includes mulberry leaves in a hot bath or sauna. The leaves help open skin pores and detoxify the body while the steam enhances sweating and regulates metabolism.
- Other health benefits of eating mulberries include improving circulation, cardiovascular health and renal health. Eating mulberries regularly can also prevent cancer because of a phytoalexin called resveratrol. David Sinclair of the Harvard Medical School and cofounder of Sirtris Pharmaceuticals found that resveratrol kills cancer cells and increases lifespan in mice.
