What is Albizia?

Albizia (Albizia julibrissin), also called mimosa or silk tree, is an herb that is native to southern and eastern Asia, from Iran to China and Korea. It is an ornamental tree that produces fine red filamentous flowers during the summer. The bark is harvested in the spring or late summer and is dried for later use.

It has been suggested that Albizia may be useful for anxiety and depression. The flower heads of Albizia have been used traditionally as a carminative (to reduce gas from the intestines), digestive aid, sedative, and tonic. They have also been used to treat insomnia, irritability, breathlessness, and poor memory. The stem bark has also been used as a pain reliever, anthelmintic (to expel parasitic worms), diuretic (to increase the rate of urination), oxytocic (to facilitate childbirth), stimulant, and to treat boils and carbuncles (abscesses). When applied to the skin, the stem bark has been used to promote wound healing and reduce swelling. A gummy extract from the plant has been used as a plaster for abscesses and boils and as a retentive for fractures and sprains.

There is a lack of human research supporting the use of Albizia for any condition.

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