Albizia Flower
- Chinese
- 合欢花
- Pinyin
- He Huan Hua
- Latin
- Flos Albiziae
Known in TCM as He Huan Hua (合欢花), this sweet, neutral herb enters the Heart and Liver. Traditionally, it calms the Mind and relieves anxiety, most often applied for insomnia, depression, and anxiety. Modern research has identified Triterpenoid saponins (julibroside series, oleanolic acid-based) among its active constituents.
Part used: Flower
Also Known As
Latin: Flos Albiziae | Pinyin: He Huan Hua | Chinese: 合欢花
TCM Properties
- Taste
- sweet
- Temperature
- neutral
- Channels
- Heart, Liver
Traditional Use
Primary Actions
- Calms the Mind and relieves anxiety … used for irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and emotional restlessness from Heart-Liver imbalance
- Spreads Liver Qi and relieves constraint … used for depression, chest tightness, liver qi stagnation with epigastric discomfort, and emotional melancholy
Secondary Actions
- Harmonizes the Stomach and relieves Qi stagnation affecting digestion … for epigastric pain and bloating from liver overacting on Stomach
- Invigorates blood and unblocks collaterals … mild blood-moving action for pain from qi-blood stagnation
Modern Research
Active Compounds
- Triterpenoid saponins (julibroside series, oleanolic acid-based) … primary bioactive fraction; cytotoxic, anxiolytic, and antidepressant activity
- Total flavonoids (isoquercitrin, quercetin) … BDNF and TrkB upregulation; anti-neuroinflammatory
- Lignans … including lignan glycosides that noncompetitively inhibit serotonin transporter (SERT)
- Alkaloids … secondary neuroactive constituents
- Phenolic glycosides … antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
Studied Effects
- Antidepressant … modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission; inhibits serotonin reuptake; upregulates BDNF/TrkB signaling in hippocampus; reduces HPA axis hyperactivation comparable to fluoxetine in animal models (PMID 37265761)
- Anxiolytic … aqueous bark and flower extracts increase open-arm exploration in elevated plus-maze in rats; effects abolished by 5-HT1A antagonist pindolol, confirming serotonergic mechanism (PMID 15464830)
- Neuroprotective … attenuates brain mitochondria oxidative damage; antiemetic effects in preclinical models
- Most prescribed TCM herb for insomnia in Taiwan clinical practice; clinical formulae show comparable or superior efficacy to conventional antidepressants with fewer adverse effects (PMID 37265761)
PubMed References
Safety & Interactions
Cautions
- Potential additive CNS sedation when combined with sedative medications … monitor for excessive drowsiness
- MSK page not found … drug interaction data not available from Memorial Sloan Kettering integrative medicine database
Conditions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Albizia Flower used for?
Albizia Flower is traditionally used to Calms the Mind and relieves anxiety … used for irritability, insomnia, palpitations, and emotional restlessness from Heart-Liver imbalance, Spreads Liver Qi and relieves constraint … used for depression, chest tightness, liver qi stagnation with epigastric discomfort, and emotional melancholy. Research has investigated its effects on: Antidepressant … modulates monoaminergic neurotransmission; inhibits serotonin reuptake; upregulates BDNF/TrkB signaling in hippocampus; reduces HPA axis hyperactivation comparable to fluoxetine in animal models (PMID 37265761); Anxiolytic … aqueous bark and flower extracts increase open-arm exploration in elevated plus-maze in rats; effects abolished by 5-HT1A antagonist pindolol, confirming serotonergic mechanism (PMID 15464830).
What are other names for Albizia Flower?
Albizia Flower is also known as Albizia. In TCM: 合欢花 (He Huan Hua); Flos Albiziae.
Is Albizia Flower safe during pregnancy?
The safety of Albizia Flower during pregnancy has not been established. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use.