Mention it, and you'll always think of plump, adorable silkworms. Yet it's not just silkworm food—its fruit is also our favorite treat. It is the mulberry leaf, possessing medicinal value.In traditional Chinese medicine, mulberry leaves refer to the dried leaves of the mulberry tree, known for clearing and nourishing the liver, dispersing wind-heat, and clearing the lungs to improve vision. While familiar for silkworm farming and medicinal use, mulberry leaves have broader applications—historically, they were used for hair washing. So, what are the methods and benefits of washing hair with mulberry leaves?
Pick two to thirty mulberry leaves, wash off the dust, and place them in a small basin. Add 500 milliliters of tap water, then rub the leaves into a pulp to extract a thick juice. Separate the mulberry leaf juice. When washing your hair, pour the mulberry leaf juice over your hair. During the wash, collect the juice dripping from your hair back into the basin for reuse. After washing, rinse your hair thoroughly with warm water.Though simple, this method requires caution: mulberry leaves have a cooling nature. Women during menstruation or pregnancy should avoid it to prevent catching a chill and developing health issues.
In fact, washing hair with mulberry leaves was a common practice before shampoo existed. Folklore suggests it promotes hair growth, enhances shine and darkness, and even treats hair loss.The Compendium of Materia Medica records: "Treats feverish coughs, improves eyesight, and promotes hair growth." Thus, mulberry leaves can be used for washing hair, potentially stimulating growth and enhancing shine. Another belief holds that boiling mulberry leaves for hair washing can halt severe hair loss.
Clinical applications indicate that regularly drinking mulberry leaf tea and washing hair with mulberry leaves significantly promotes hair growth. When washing hair with mulberry leaves, choose the optimal time—early summer when leaves grow most vigorously and contain abundant nutrients. Harvest leaves then and store them for later use.For enhanced results, combine mulberry leaf rinse with rice washing water. Rinse thoroughly multiple times during washing, as the leaves contain oils that may linger on hair if rinsed insufficiently, potentially causing scalp itchiness.