Persian silk tree (he huan pi)

Albizia julibrissin

Traditionally attributed effects: calms the mind in anger and low mood and lets the blood flow in pain and swelling.

Safety notes

Not during pregnancy. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Cautions by tradition (1)

Chinese materia medica: If low mood persists, seek help from your GP.

Preparation

Bark. Usually as a decoction, together with other herbs.

Use in traditions

Described in the classical Chinese materia medica, in the group 'herbs that nourish the heart and calm the mind'. The bark (he huan pi) and flowers (he huan hua) are called 'happy together' because the leaves fold up at night. They are used for low mood, sleeplessness and brooding.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Chinese materia medica

Nature and taste: sweet, neutral
Meridians: heart, liver

Attributed effects

For anger, low mood and forgetfulness, and for pain and swelling from injury and chronic conditions.

Preparation and amount

Traditional dosage: 9–15 g a day, usually in a decoction. In China the bark is called 'tree of collective happiness'.

Combinations

With biota seed, he shou wu and sour jujube seed for anger and low mood
With dang gui, frankincense, myrrh and corydalis for pain from injury

Caution: If low mood persists, seek help from your GP.

Ways to prepare herbs: Decoction

Sources

All herbs from Asia →