Sang Shen (桑葚) — Mulberry Fruit
Sang Shen — mulberry fruit — is a gentle, food-grade Chinese Yin and Blood tonic. Traditionally used for premature greying of the hair, insomnia and dry constipation in the elderly, it is safe as a dietary staple and a well-tolerated addition to Yin-nourishing formulas.
On this page
- Overview
- Properties
- Actions and indications
- Dosage
- Cautions and incompatibilities
- Key formulas
- Treatment at my clinic
1. Overview
Sang Shen (桑葚) — Mulberry Fruit (Morus alba (fruit)) — is a Chinese herb in the Tonify Yin and Blood category. I prescribe it as part of bespoke pharmaceutical-grade granule formulas from Sun Ten in Taiwan at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire and via online herbal consultations.
2. Properties
| Pinyin name | Sang Shen |
|---|---|
| Chinese characters | 桑葚 |
| Latin name | Morus alba (fruit) |
| English name | Mulberry Fruit |
| Nature | Cold |
| Flavour | Sweet |
| Channels entered | Heart, Liver, Kidney |
| Category | Tonify Yin and Blood |
3. Actions and indications
Principal actions
- Nourishes Blood
- Enriches Yin
- Generates fluids
- Moistens the intestines
Indications
- Premature greying of hair with Kidney Yin deficiency
- Dizziness and tinnitus from Blood and Yin deficiency
- Constipation from Blood-Yin dryness
- Insomnia with palpitations
- Dry mouth and thirst
4. Dosage
9–15g dried; 30–60g fresh
5. Cautions and incompatibilities
- Reduce in Spleen-Cold diarrhoea
- No major contraindications; edible
6. Key formulas
Sang Shen is used in a range of bespoke prescriptions rather than a fixed classical formula in modern practice. Consult a qualified TCM herbalist for individual prescription.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I prescribe Sang Shen where its indications and TCM pattern match the patient’s presentation, always as part of a tailored formula. Return to the Chinese herbs directory or the Chinese herbal medicine main page.
