Morus Ramulus, Mulberry Twig, Sang Zhi 桑枝

Sang Zhi (TCM）

Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Dioscorides Materia Medica, Mathias, 1563

Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

---

Botanical name:
Morus alba

Parts used:
Twig

Temperature & Taste:
Neutral. Bitter

Classifications:
D. Clear Wind and Damp

Uses:
1. Clear Wind-Damp, Clears the Channels, Benefits Joints:
-wind-damp joint and muscle pain, especially of the upper body
-Numbness of the extremities
-Hemiplegia following Stroke

2. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Promotes Urine in Edema, especially with Joint pain

DOSE:
The raw and prepared product is used in similar doses.
Decoction: 9–15 grams (up to 30 grams)
Powder: 2–5 grams

PREPARATION:
1. Dry-fried Mulberry twigs (Chao Sang Zhi)
  The sliced twigs are dry-fried until yellowish. This makes them more warming and better for any type of muscles or joint pain associated with Cold.
2. Wind-fried Mulberry twigs (Jiu Sang Zhi):
  The sliced twigs are either soaked briefly or else sprayed with rice wine, then stir-fried until yellowish. This makes it stronger to penetrate the channels, move the Blood, better to clear Wind and ease pain. It is better for chronic Wind-Damp painful obstruction.

Main Combinations:
1. Wind-Damp Joint pain:
i. of the upper joints, shoulder, elbows, wrists, Mulberry Twig (Sang Zhi) with Cinnamon twig (Gui Zhi), Angelica pubescens Du Huo
ii. Mulberry Twig (Sang Zhi) with Angelica pubescens Du Huo, Eucommia Du Zhong
iii. Rheumatic pain, Mulberry Twig (Sang Zhi), Gastrodia Tian ma, Gentiana Macrophylla Qin Jiao, Notopterygium Qiang Huo, Mulberry Twig (Sang Zhi) (as in Qin Jiao Tian Ma Tang from Medical Revelations)

Cautions:
None noted

Main Preparations used: