Sang Bai Pi, the white bark of the mulberry
Sang Bai Pi reads “the white bark of the mulberry”: the white is that of the root’s inner bark, revealed once the thin yellowish-brown layer covering it has been scraped off. The white mulberry (Morus alba) is the silk tree: its leaves feed the silkworms, and it has been planted all over China for millennia. The same tree gives its leaf, its twigs and its fruit. Its reference growing area is Bozhou, in Anhui, whose thick white bark is much sought after. The test of a good bark is a pleasing one: when it is torn, a fine powder should fly up, and the more there is, the better the bark.
Cooling the Lung, gently
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Sang Bai Pi is cold and sweet in flavour: cold, it clears; sweet, it does so without harshness. Where bitter, cold plants clear by drying, it removes Heat from the Lung gently, without drying, hence its reputation for suiting delicate constitutions and Heat that smoulders without flaring. The Qi of the Lung, says tradition, should descend naturally; when Heat or retained water encumbers it, it rises. Sang Bai Pi cools the Lung and gives its Qi back its direction. With wolfberry root bark (Di Gu Pi), it forms the heart of Xie Bai San, “the powder that clears away the white”.
Reopening the waterways from above
Tradition calls the Lung “the upper source of water”: it regulates the waterways and sends the Fluids towards the Kidney and the Bladder. By bringing its Qi back down, Sang Bai Pi reopens these pathways from above; it does not dry Dampness, it restores the Lung’s role as regulator. Li Shizhen summed it up in one sentence: it excels at making urine flow. Raw, it is strongest for water; honey-fried, the honey tempers its cold and adds a moistening quality that serves the Lung.
Key benefits
Freshness & Heat cleared
Sweet and cold, mulberry root bark clears Heat from the Lung without drying, according to Chinese tradition.
Soothed lungs & descending Qi
It soothes the lungs and gives their Qi back its natural direction, downwards; honey-fried, it moistens them.
Water in motion & urinary comfort
By reopening the waterways from above, it supports urinary comfort.
