Herbs Hub
Albizia bark, Albizia julibrissin. Botanical plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.360-Albizia julibrissin-Hibiscus syriacus-Deutzia
Plate: Naturalis Biodiversity Center - RMNH.ART.360-Albizia julibrissin-Hibiscus syriacus-Deutzia. Ishizaki Yūshi. Public domain.

Albizia bark

Albizia julibrissin · 合欢皮

Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.

Also called He huan pi, Silk tree bark, Mimosa bark, Persian silk tree bark

Pinyin: Hé huān pí

Little human safety data

The bark of the silk tree, used in Chinese medicine to ease worry, anger and poor sleep.

Did you know? The silk tree's leaves fold together at night, and its Chinese name, he huan, means 'union' or 'joy'.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Sleep. Used in tradition for poor sleep. Animal studies show sedating effects, but human trials are few.
    Traditional proof
  • Stress & anxiety. Used in tradition for worry and emotional upset. No strong human trials exist.
    Traditional proof

Parts of the body

Brain & mind, Nerves & pain

Traditional use

Traditional Chinese Medicine has used albizia bark to calm anger, worry and restless sleep. It is often grouped with other herbs that calm the spirit.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Nervine, Sedative. Energy: neutral.
Chinese medicine
合欢皮 Calm the spirit. Nature: neutral. Flavour: sweet. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.

How people take it

Traditional doses are about 6 to 12 grams of dried bark in a decoction. Little human research exists to confirm a safe dose.

Decoction, tea and capsule.

Where to get it

Grows in China, Japan, Korea and other warm regions. The silk tree is also planted as an ornamental. Sold as dried bark in herb shops and online.

Be careful

Human safety data are limited. Stomach upset and drowsiness are possible. Avoid it in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and check with a clinician before using it with sleep aids.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    Both calm the spirit and are used together for poor sleep in Chinese practice.

  • Works well together

    Both are used to calm the mind and ease worry in Chinese medicine.

  • Use caution
    Sleep or anxiety medicine (Ambien, Xanax, Ativan)

    Animal studies show a calming effect, so it may add drowsiness to sleep aids. Human data are lacking.

  • Use caution
    Alcohol (beer, wine, spirits)

    Alcohol adds to the drowsiness.

Adds up with others that can make you drowsy: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 14 more.

The honest take

Albizia bark is a long-used calming herb, but there are very few human studies. Most of the evidence comes from animal and lab work. It is best seen as traditional, not proven, for sleep or stress.