Albizia julibrissin

BotanicalBest before bed

What is it

Albizia julibrissin (mimosa tree, Persian silk tree, He Huan Pi/Hua) is a small tree whose bark and flowers are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to 'calm the spirit' and for emotional support.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Mild anxiety / mood

Limited Evidence

Traditional use and small studies suggest possible mild calming effects. Rigorous trials are limited.

Sleep support

Limited Evidence

Traditional indication; limited modern clinical evidence.

How it works

Albizia bark and flowers contain saponins (julibrosides), flavonoids, and small amounts of alkaloids. Laboratory studies suggest serotonergic and GABAergic activity, supporting its traditional use for mild anxiety, insomnia, and emotional distress. TCM characterizes the bark (He Huan Pi) as anchoring spirit while the flowers (He Huan Hua) are considered more uplifting. Clinical human evidence is limited and largely from small Chinese-language trials.

Dosage

Traditional decoction uses 6-15 g of dried bark or flowers daily. Extract supplements typically suggest 250-1000 mg/day.

When and how to take it

Often taken in the evening for sleep support. Some traditional use is in divided doses for daytime emotional support.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Albizia bark (He Huan Pi)

TCM standard form.

Saponin and flavonoid content varies.

Albizia flower (He Huan Hua)

TCM form for mood support.

Different compound profile than bark.

Safety

Generally well-tolerated. Mild drowsiness and GI upset are the main reported effects. Long-term safety data are limited.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy (uterine activity in animal studies). Caution with sedatives, alcohol, and antidepressants. Discontinue if excessive drowsiness occurs.

Interactions

May enhance the effects of CNS depressants, sleep medications, and alcohol. Theoretical interactions with antidepressants given serotonergic activity.

Frequently asked questions

Is mimosa tree the same as mimosa pudica?⌄

No. Mimosa pudica is the 'sensitive plant'; Albizia julibrissin is the silk tree, a different species with different uses.

Can it replace antidepressants?⌄

No. Effects are mild and clinical evidence does not support replacing prescribed treatments.

References

Albizia julibrissin on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Albizia julibrissin on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Albizia julibrissin (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.