Albizia Julibrissin - Persian Silk Tree Bark Extract

Pinyin: He Huan Pi Latin: Albizia Julibrissin

Common Name

Mimosa Tree Bark, Albizzia Bark

Physical Characteristics:

Albizia is a decidious Tree growing to 12m by 10m is hardy to zone 7 and is frost tender. The Persian Silk Tree is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs). Albizia can fix Nitrogen. The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline and saline soils though cannot grow in the shade. The Silk Tree requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.*

Family:

Leguminosae

Edible Uses:*

Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves. Edible Uses: Tea. Young leaves - cooked. An aromatic flavor, they are used as a potherb. Albizia Flowers - cooked. Eaten as a vegetable. The dried leaves are a tea substitute.*

Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) Uses:*

Analgesic; Anthelmintic; Carminative; Digestive; Diuretic; Oxytoxic; Plaster; Sedative; Stimulant; Tonic; Vulnerary. The flower heads are carminative, digestive, sedative and tonic. They are used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, breathlessness and poor memory.*

Albizia flowers are harvested as they open and are dried for later use. The stembark is anodyne, anthelmintic, carminative, discutient, diuretic, oxytocic, sedative, stimulant, tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary and is used internally in the treatment of insomnia, irritability, boils and carbuncles. Externally, it is applied to injuries and swellings. The bark is harvested in spring or late summer and is dried for later use. A gummy extract obtained from the Albizia plant is used as a plaster for abscesses, boils etc and also as a retentive in fractures and sprains.*

Other Uses*

Gum; Plaster. A gummy extract of the plant is used as a plaster. No more details are given. Wood - dense, hard, strong, takes a good polish. Used for furniture, industrial applications, firewood etc.*

References:

• Source: Albizia Julibrissin - Silk Tree Bark Extract Plants For A Future, England 1996-2008.
  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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