Mulberry Tea Side Effects
Mulberry tea yields a variety of health benefits. Used medicinally for thousands of years in China and India, this herb can be used to treat cold symptoms, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and as an aid to weight loss. However, the following side effects and cautions should be taken into consideration. Prior to using mulberry leaf tea to treat any condition, please consult a licensed health care provider.
Low Blood Sugar
Drinking mulberry tea may lower your blood sugar. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, may result in blurred vision, hunger, dizziness, headache, excessive sweating, tremors, and confusion. If you
experience these side effects while drinking mulberry tea, seek additional care from your health care provider.
People taking medication to control diabetes are advised to avoid drinking mulberry tea unless otherwise instructed by your licensed health care provider. Your medication and mulberry tea may
interact to increase your risk of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia. Your health care provider may adjust the amount of diabetes medication you take in order accommodate the effect of mulberry tea. Furthermore, persons with diabetes are advised to closely monitor blood sugar levels while drinking
When mulberry trees were planted in large numbers in Pakistan in the 1960s, scientists investigating a spike in allergic reactions found the trees produced pollen counts of up to 40,000 grains per cubic meter of air. 1,500 grains per cubic meter is considered harmful. The sap is also a known irritant, and contact with leaves or stems can lead to skin irritation. If you consume mulberry products and develop hives, wheezing, rapid pulse, swelling, difficulty breathing or other sudden symptoms, discontinue use and contact a doctor right away.
Blood Sugar Effects
Several studies, including one published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry” in 2007, have shown that mulberry helps suppress post-meal blood sugar levels and insulin secretion, which could prove helpful for preventing and treating diabetes. Because of these potential effects upon blood glucose and insulin levels, however, if you’re on insulin for diabetes and use mulberry supplements, you may need to adjust your insulin dose accordingly.
Mulberries contain high levels of potassium which may be difficult for people with kidney diseases to process. As a result, if you have kidney disease, you may need to avoid mulberries tea.
No studies have yet associated mulberry tea consumption with adverse effects during pregnancy or other conditions. However, it is advised to avoid drinking mulberry tea if you are pregnant, breast-feeding or are scheduled for surgery within the next