{"id":6959,"date":"2022-05-16T19:32:59","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T18:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=6959"},"modified":"2025-05-20T12:07:00","modified_gmt":"2025-05-20T11:07:00","slug":"albizia","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/albizia\/","title":{"rendered":"Albizia"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":6964,"parent":0,"menu_order":-230,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"580728b3-6c29-4de1-b4c9-fa9bf7d4cc60","beyondwords_preview_token":"7181a934-674f-45ba-a50c-70ca143a14ac","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[797,79,108,50,799,798],"conditions":[696,699,695,700],"sustainability":[1575],"sense":[27],"western_action":[1017,990,1025],"chinese_action":[1045,1051,1043],"ayurvedic_action":[1115,1081,1108],"energetics_action":[1563,1564,1531,1557,1624,1517,1501,1548,1520,1627,1519,1381,1507,1490,1494,1511,1509,1378,1502,1555,1489],"region":[1898],"class_list":["post-6959","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-albizzia","tag-anxiety","tag-depression","tag-insomnia","tag-memosa","tag-silk-tree","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-amber-sustainability-status","sense-sweet","western_action-nervine","western_action-analgesic","western_action-vulnerary","chinese_action-invigorate-the-blood","chinese_action-nourish-heart-calm-spirit","chinese_action-regulate-the-qi","ayurvedic_action-vishaghna","ayurvedic_action-kushtaghna","ayurvedic_action-udara-prasamana","energetics_action-channel-srotas","energetics_action-air","energetics_action-ayurvedic","energetics_action-blood","energetics_action-bone","energetics_action-channel-entered","energetics_action-chinese","energetics_action-constitution-dosha","energetics_action-heart","energetics_action-kapha-balancing","energetics_action-liver","energetics_action-neutral","energetics_action-neutral-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-sweet","energetics_action-sweet-taste-chinese","energetics_action-taste-chinese","energetics_action-temperature","energetics_action-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-tissue-dhatu","energetics_action-tone","region-traditional-chinese-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":null,"herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Albizia soothes conditions stemming from constrained emotions","latin_name":"Albizia julibrissin<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Fabaceae","herb_summary":"Albizia belongs to the \u2018herbs that nourish the Heart and calm the spirit\u2019 category in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) where it is an integral herb for treating anxiety, depression, irritability, poor memory and insomnia derived from pent up emotions. While featured in few classical TCM formulas, it is frequently added to introduce or enhance this function and has grown in popularity in western herbalism. ","key_benefits":"Depression\r\nAnxiety\r\nIrritability\r\nInsomnia, palpitations, poor memory\r\nEpigastric pain, chest oppression\r\nFractures, swelling, pain\r\nBoils, abscesses\r\n","how_does_it_feel":"Albizia's mildness as a herb is reflected in its gentle, earthy taste and aroma. Its effects go straight to the heart with a spreading lightness through the chest that ripples outwards and upwards, easing the mind.","hdif_image_1":6968,"hdif_image_2":6967,"hdif_image_3":6962,"hdif_video":"","sense":[30,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"\r\n\r\n\"\"Albizia bark is a mild herb, typically dispensed in formulas but may also be used on its own. In TCM clinics, the focus tends to be on its sedative action and it is primarily used to alleviate depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, palpitations and insomnia where these are accompanied by signs of qi<\/em> stagnation, in particular, chest distension. In these instances, qi<\/em> flow in the body has been hindered by unexpressed emotions, notably, anger, resentment and frustration. The albizia flower shares these functions but is indicated more in cases of qi<\/em> stagnation, not Blood, and where epigastric pain is present. Both herbs may also benefit memory.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn their primary function of treating psycho-emotional disharmonies, he huan pi <\/em>(Albizia julibrissin<\/em> bark) is believed to \u2018anchor\u2019 the shen<\/em> (mind\/ spirit), where he huan hua<\/em> (Albizia julibrissin<\/em> flowers) is uplifting. \u00a0<\/em>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAlbizia bark is also used for its analgesic properties in cases of pain and swelling from trauma due to its ability to promote blood circulation. \u00a0To this end, it may also be used in more serious injuries, such as fractures.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe ability to reduce pain and swelling also lends it to use in cases of abscesses and boils. In particular, it is indicated for lung abscesses and may also be used topically for suppurative sores.\r\n\r\n","into_the_heart_of":"\r\n\r\n\"\"\r\n\r\nIn traditional Chinese medicine, albizia is named he huan pi,<\/em>\u00a0which translates as \u201ccollective happiness bark\u201d, reminding us of its importance as a medicine to support emotional disharmonies. Its combination of sweet and neutral properties is believed to nourish the heart and calm the\u00a0shen<\/em>. Its neutral temperature also makes it hugely versatile as it can be used in constitutions and conditions that are both hot and cold in nature, without ill effect. Its mildness also means it may be used in the young and old and for longer periods of time.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nHerbs in the Nourish the Heart and Calm the Spirit category are primarily used for insomnia and palpitations with anxiety stemming from heart blood or\u00a0liver yin<\/em> deficiency. What sets albizia apart and makes it so invaluable as a herbal sedative in modern times is that its strength lies more in relieving symptoms of shen<\/em>\u00a0disturbance derived from\u00a0qi<\/em>\u00a0stagnation than those from a deficiency of\u00a0yin<\/em>\u00a0or blood.\r\n\r\n","tradtional_uses":"\r\n\r\nAlbizia is documented as a herb for treating disorders of the shen<\/em> in the first known Chinese text to describe individual herbs \u2013 Shen nong ben cao jing (The Divine Farmer\u2019s Classic of the Materia Medica)<\/em>. Written in the Han<\/em> Dynasty (25-220AD), it was held to be authored by the mythical Chinese emperor, shen nong<\/em>, the \u2018divine farmer\u2019 and father of Chinese agricultural and medicine.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn China, albizia is commonly recommended for those suffering from grief as a way of supporting them to express and move though the emotion (6).\r\n\r\n","what_practioners_say":"\r\n\r\n\"\"While mild in nature, albizia bark is an important herb within the TCM materia medica for nourishing the Heart and spirit and freeing stagnant Liver qi<\/em>.\r\n

Nervous system<\/h3>\r\nIn TCM, we often use albizia bark and flowers for depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, moodiness, insomnia and poor memory.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhen liver qi<\/em> stagnates from emotional turmoil, it obstructs the free flow of qi<\/em> in the chest and we suffer from chest distension and palpitations. These are key indicators for the use of albizia.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nQi<\/em> constraint in the chest also leads to insomnia because the spirit, housed in the Heart, becomes agitated and is not adequately nourished by qi<\/em> and Blood. This type of insomnia will be worse for stress or anger, accompanied by palpitations and anxiety and will manifest as waking between the hours of 2-4am (the time that relates to the Liver in TCM).\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nWhen the heart and spirit lack nourishment, we can suffer from anxiety. Albizia is widely used for this type of deficient anxiety, whether mild or severe as in the case of panic attacks. The spirit also governs cognitive function and memory. If it is weak, memory will be affected.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nThe nature of the depression associated with albizia use is that with typical liver qi stagnation signs and symptoms. In addition to chest oppression, we will see frequent sighing (an attempt to shift the constraint), moodiness, hypochondriac distension and a wiry pulse.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nIf this persists, qi<\/em> stagnation can lead to blood stagnation and more severe symptoms. As albizia (bark, in particular) invigorates blood, it is again an ideal herb in this scenario.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Musculoskeletal<\/h3>\r\nAlbizia bark is used for pain and swelling from trauma, including broken bones, because of its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to promote circulation, reduce swellings and \u2018knit bones\u2019. It may also be used in more chronic conditions such as degenerative diseases of the joints and muscles.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Women\u2019s health<\/h3>\r\nThe combination of qi<\/em>\/ blood invigoration and spirit-calming actions make albizia bark a popular choice for inclusion in women\u2019s health formulas. Here, it may be added to formulas to treat conditions such as period pain (especially where there are blood clots), premenstrual tension (it is often added during the premenstrual phase of the cycle), irregular menstrual cycles (especially with tension and\/ or pain around ovulation) and amenorrhea (absent periods). It is often added to formulae where the patterns behind these complaints (e.g. liver and heart qi<\/em> stagnation, liver fire, blood stagnation, shen<\/em> disturbance) are impacting a woman\u2019s ability to conceive.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Respiratory<\/h3>\r\nThe bark may be used in formulas addressing abscesses of the lung.\r\n\r\n \r\n

Skin<\/h3>\r\nThe bark may be used for external abscesses, carbuncles, furuncles and slow-healing wounds and may be used topically for these purposes.\r\n\r\n","research":"\r\n\r\n\"\"It is the ability of albizia to act upon serotonin receptors (in particular, 5-HT1A receptors) that appears to be one of the major mechanisms behind its antidepressant, anxiolytic and sedative effects.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn a rat study, albizia was found to have similar effects to Imipranine (a tricyclic anti-depressant) in terms of reducing immobility time. This effect was reversed after administration of 5-HT1A and 5-HT1A\/B receptor antagonists, but not after 5-HT1B or 5-HT2A antagonists were given. This suggests that the anti-depressant effect of Albizia may be specific to its interaction with 5-HT1A receptors (7).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA similar study looking at the perceived \u2018anxiolytic-like\u2019 effect of Albizia again found these effects were reversed with administration of a 5-HT1A\/B receptor antagonist (8). This was concurred in a later study which used both behavioural studies and quantitative receptor autoradiography (a radiographic method used to locate precise locations and activity of specific receptors) to confirm Albizia\u2019s specific involvement with the serotonergic nervous system, especially 5-HT1A receptors (9,10).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe main lignin in Albizia (SAG) was found to decrease anxiety apparently via the HPA axis and monoaminergic systems (11).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA later study linked the ability of Albizia to promote sleep and increase sleep duration in sleep-induced rats to its effect on 5-HT1A receptors (12).\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIn addition to its serotonergic actions, other potential modes of action for Albizia include its antioxidant properties (Jung 2003) and the presence of flavonol glycosides. A study looking at two of the flavonol glycosides found in Albizia flowers, quercetin and isoquercetin, found they both had sedative effects and increased sleep duration in sleep-induced rats (13).\r\n\r\n","did_you_know":"The silk tree was introduced to the West in the 18th century by an Italian nobleman (Albizzi) and is planted widely as an ornamental plant. The leaves of the silk tree close together at night, when it rains or on light touch. Its modern Persian name, shabkhosb<\/em>, translates as \u201cnight sleeper\u201d.<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":7073},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Albizia has large, bi-pinnate, fern-like leaves and beautiful fragrant, pink, puffball flowers that bloom throughout the Summer. It is a hardy, deciduous tree, standing 4\u20138 metres tall that readily becomes invasive in non-native soils.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAlbizia bark is thin, light brown and slightly rough with vertical lines. It is harvested in the Summer and Autumn, left to sundry then sliced in to small pieces. The flowers (he huan hua<\/em>) are also used as a calming herb. Flower heads are made up of many small, brilliant pink flowers with long stamens. Seed pods are long, flat and toxic.<\/span>","common_names":"