Neuroprotective & Stress-Relief Properties

Studies have identified gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mulberry leaves, which has calming effects on the nervous system, promoting relaxation
and improved sleep quality. This aligns with findings in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2022).

Blood Sugar Regulation

Mulberry leaves contain 1-Deoxynojirimycin
(DNJ), a natural compound that inhibits
carbohydrate absorption, reducing post-meal
blood sugar spikes. Clinical studies, including
those published in the Journal of
Ethnopharmacology (2023), highlight DNJ’s
potential for managing glucose levels and
supporting metabolic health.

Cardiovascular & Anti-
Inflammatory Benefits

Rich in flavonoids, including quercetin and
kaempferol, mulberry leaves have been
shown to support cardiovascular function,
help lower cholesterol, and reduce
inflammation, as reported in the Journal of
Functional Foods (2022).

Gut Health & Digestion

A natural source of prebiotic fiber, mulberry
leaves promote gut microbiome balance, aiding
digestion and reducing bloating. Research in
the Frontiers in Nutrition (2021) indicates that
these leaves support beneficial gut bacteria,
contributing to overall digestive wellness.

Our Story
– Yurara
Mulberry

Growing up on Kangaroo Island, my childhood was woven into the land - running through the paddocks, living
next door to my grandparents, and spending afternoons in the mulberry tree that my grandma planted. That tree,
we believe, was grown from a cutting of the historic Kangaroo Island, Reeves Point Mulberry Tree, one of South
Australia’s oldest fruit trees. It still stands today, thriving, fruiting, and holding generations of memories.

But this story starts even earlier.

My grandparents had a dream, to move away from his family’s local butcher shop in Kingscote and build a life on
the land. He found his opportunity through the Soldier Settler Scheme, a government initiative that granted
farmland to returning soldiers after World War II. Many of these farms were carved from untouched mallee scrub,
and some, like the one my grandfather purchased, had been abandoned by the soldiers. The scars of war ran
deep - there are still piles of long-neck bottles hidden in the remaining scrub, remnants of a past where trauma
and isolation left their mark.

Despite its challenges, my grandfather saw potential and when they moved in, they planted a mulberry tree, a
symbol of new beginnings.

For me, that tree became a part of my childhood. Hands stained deep red, feet covered in bags to protect our
shoes, and endless mulberry-stained adventures. My grandmother would bake mulberry pies served with
icecream, make mulberry jam, and serve fresh mulberries with sugar on vanilla ice cream - best of all was fresh
straight from the tree the simple joys that shaped my connection to this land.

As I grew older, I wanted to keep this legacy alive. Initially, I dreamed of making mulberry wine, but as I
researched, I discovered the incredible health benefits of mulberry leaves, particularly in Chinese medicine and
modern science. I started experimenting, brewing mulberry leaf tea, and was amazed by its rich history and
wellness properties.

Then, in 2019, Kangaroo Island burned. The bushfires tore through the island, and amidst the loss and
devastation, I - now living in Melbourne - felt the deep pull of home. The trees keep growing, but life had changed
and the lock downs made it harder.

Now, Yurara Mulberry is about restoring that connection.

Named after my childhood farm, "Yurara" means "extensive easterly view" in the language of the mainland
Aboriginal people, the Kaurna and Narungga.

Thousands of years ago, Kangaroo Island was home to the Kartan people, an ancient Aboriginal group who lived
on the land when it was still connected to mainland Australia. As the seas rose around 10,000 years ago, the
island became isolated, and over time, its human inhabitants disappeared. To the Ngarrindjeri and other
mainland Aboriginal groups, it became known as Karta Pintingga - “Island of the Dead”, a place of the spirits.
Though the island was uninhabited when Europeans arrived, it is said there were traces of its First Nations
history remain - stone tools, ancient campsites, and Dreaming stories that whisper of a time when the island was
still part of the mainland.

This isn’t just about tea or trees - it’s about connection, belonging, honouring the land, and dreaming of a future
where maybe one day a return to Kangaroo Island, to build an eco off-grid home.

Here we are.

If you’ve ever chased a childhood memory, the taste of sun-warmed berries, the quiet of slow days, you know the
pull of something real. A tree change. A sea change. A return to meaning. Kangaroo Island offers that life.
Community, connection, a rhythm that moves with nature, not against it. If you crave something slower, richer,
and more grounded, or if you simply love the countryside.

articles

Mulberry Jam

Ingredients:

• 1 kg fresh mulberries (white, red,
  &/or black)
• 750 g raw sugar (or local
  Kangaroo Island honey for a
  natural touch)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 small apple, grated (optional,
  for natural pectin to help it set)
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon (optional,
  for added depth of flavour)
• ¼ tsp sea salt (optional, to
  enhance the natural fruit taste)

classic mulberry jam recipe follows traditional Aussie
jam-making methods, using natural ingredients for a
rich, fruity flavour.

Recipes

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