Mulberry leaves are a deciduous perennial woody plant that has been used for thousands of years and is a staple of (TCM) Traditional Chinese Medicine. They are known for their nourishing properties and the health-promoting benefits they provide. The mulberry tree is native to China and is cultivated commercially for sericulture to produce silk. The leaves contain a wide range of minerals like Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, K, A. They also contain amino acids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, polysaccharides and flavonoids including quercetin, rutin and apigenin. This plant is also a great source of calcium and has 25 times more than milk and 40 times more than cabbage.
Mulberry leaves extract were used as feed additives nowadays, because it is rich in nutrients such as protein (21-27% crude protein), amino acids and vitamins, as well as a large number of anti-nutritional factors such as phytic acid and tannin, in addition, mulberry leaves also contain high levels of crude fiber, which limits the number of common mulberry leaves added to livestock feed. In addition, mulberry leaf extract powder can also help reduce inflammation and lower bad cholesterol levels.