Tree barks and root barksMind-calmingAlbiziae Cortex

He Huan Pi (Silktree Albizia Bark)

Q: What is He Huan Pi? Are albizia flower and polygonum stem the same?

Official He Huan Pi (合欢皮) is the dried bark of Albizia julibrissin . The pharmacopoeial name is Albiziae Cortex . Albizia flower is sweet-neutral: resolves depression and calms the spirit. Polygonum stem (Ye Jiao Teng) is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write He Huan Pi. Wind-heat spontaneous sweating and external-pathogen insomnia are contraindicated.

Q: What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of He Huan Pi?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, He Huan Pi is sweet and neutral , enters the Heart, Liver and Lung channels, and acts to resolve depression and calm the spirit, move Blood and reduce swelling . It is used for spirit restlessness, depression with insomnia, Lung abscess, sores and swelling, and pain from falls. Sweet and neutral, it suits emotional constraint—not wind-heat spontaneous sweating, or external-pathogen insomnia.

Q: What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a spirit tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 6–12 g . External use is in suitable amounts. It is not a four-season “albizia-bark spirit tea.” External-pathogen insomnia only disperses further as it is resolved. Insomnia needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace sleep assessment.

A practical guide to He Huan Pi: what it is, how Traditional Chinese Medicine uses it, the classical formulas it appears in, and who should be careful with it.

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Last reviewed Oct 13, 2026

Quick Facts

Latin Name	Albiziae Cortex
Chinese Name & Pinyin	合歡皮 · He Huan Pi
Medicinal Part	Tree barks and root barks
The herb	He Huan Pi is the dried bark of Albizia julibrissin. He Huan Hua is the flower of the same tree. Shou Wu Teng is a different official drug.
Nature and channels	Sweet, neutral. Enters the Heart, Liver, and Lung. Sweet neutrality releases constraint, calms the spirit, invigorates blood, and reduces swelling.
Pharmacopoeia line	Releases constraint and calms the spirit. Invigorates blood and reduces swelling. Used for a restless spirit, melancholy insomnia, Lung abscess, sores, and traumatic pain.
Pattern cues	Restless spirit. Melancholy insomnia. Lung abscess. Sores. Traumatic pain.
In this article	He Huan Pi versus He Huan Hua, Shou Wu Teng, and Suan Zao Ren. Releasing constraint versus invigorating blood. Why Lung abscess needs a clinic. Who should skip it.

What Is He Huan Pi?

He Huan Pi (合欢皮; Hé Huān Pí; Latin: Albiziae Cortex; English: albizia bark) is the dried bark of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. In Chinese medicine it is a Heart-nourishing, spirit-calming herb. It is sweet and neutral, enters the Heart, Liver, and Lung channels, and its core actions are to release constraint and calm the spirit, and to invigorate blood and reduce swelling. The teaching point is a restless spirit and melancholy insomnia, with sores and trauma beside it.

It is not He Huan Hua. The flower of the same tree is sweet and neutral. Releasing constraint and calming the spirit are more specific. Invigorating blood and reducing swelling are weaker than with the bark. It is not Shou Wu Teng. Fleeceflower stem is sweet and neutral. It nourishes blood, calms the spirit, dispels wind, and unblocks the collaterals. He Huan Pi is sweet and neutral. Besides releasing constraint, it invigorates blood and reduces swelling. Exterior insomnia and wind-heat spontaneous sweat are a poor match. Use caution in pregnancy. Lung abscess, and severe melancholy insomnia, need a clinic. This is not an antidepressant product claim.

It is used most often for three patterns:

Restless spirit, melancholy insomnia — this needs pattern diagnosis
Lung abscess, sores — seek care
Traumatic pain

The usual decoction dose is 6–12 g. Sweet and neutral, it is not a daily “spirit albizia” tea. Releasing constraint when there is no constraint, or insomnia from excess fire, is a poor match.

When the emotions are not free and qi is constrained, insomnia and vexation are common. He Huan Pi is sweet and neutral. It releases constraint, calms the spirit, and reduces swelling, which is why it appears in constraint-releasing spirit formulas. It is more neutral than it is draining. Phlegm-heat vexation and exterior fever get more stagnant if more is added.

He Huan Pi is not a catch-all constraint or spirit bark. In exterior insomnia, excess fire, or when there is no constraint, using it alone is a poor match. Whether it belongs in a formula should be decided by a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner after pattern diagnosis.

He Huan Pi: Materia Medica Profile

Identification & Quality Standard

Albiziae Cortex

Botanical Origin

The dried bark of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (Fabaceae).

Production Regions

Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Henan and Hubei.

Quality Requirements

Superior medicinal material has a thin bark, distinct lenticels, and a pale inner surface.

Macroscopic Features

Quilled or channelled pieces of bark; externally grayish-brown with distinct lenticels; inner surface yellowish-white to yellowish-brown; fibrous fracture; weak odor, astringent taste.

Authentic Producing Areas and Quality Identification

Traditionally, high-quality bark comes from the Yangtze River and Yellow River basins. However, the actual quality is heavily influenced by the plant variety, harvest time, processing, and storage.

Appearance: Good quality He Huan Pi comes in curled tubes or half-tubes, about 0.2 to 0.3 centimeters thick. The outer surface is grayish-brown with clear longitudinal wrinkles and oval lenticels (pores). The inner surface is pale yellowish-brown with fine vertical lines.
Texture and Taste: It is hard but brittle, snapping easily to reveal a fibrous, pale yellowish-white inside. It has a faint scent and a bland, slightly astringent taste that can feel a bit prickly on the tongue and leave a mild discomfort in the throat.
Look-alikes: Be careful not to confuse it with the bark of similar plants, like Shan He Huan Pi, which has denser brown lenticels, a much more fibrous texture, and a fainter smell.

Traditional Properties & Historical Lineage

Nature, Flavour & Channel Tropism

Sweet; NeutralHeartLiverLung

1. Historical Records in Materia Medica

This herb has a long history of use, recorded in many classic TCM texts:

Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica) listed it as a medium-grade herb, noting it can calm the five internal organs, harmonize the mind, and "bring joy and dispel worry."
Ming Yi Bie Lu (Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians) added that it helps reduce swellings and reconnect sinews and bones.
Xin Xiu Ben Cao (Newly Revised Materia Medica) recorded its use in treating physical injuries and swellings.
Later texts like Ben Cao Gang Mu (Compendium of Materia Medica) and Zhong Hua Ben Cao (Chinese Materia Medica) continued to praise its ability to harmonize blood, relieve pain, soothe depression, and calm the spirit.

2. Evolution of TCM Understanding

Over the centuries, practitioners have emphasized different strengths of He Huan Pi:

Emotional Wellness: Many doctors focus on its ability to soothe depression and calm the mind, making it a go-to for restlessness or emotional stagnation.
Physical Healing: Others value its ability to invigorate blood and reduce swelling, using it as a supportive herb for injuries or skin sores.
Balanced Use: Today, it's widely agreed that it works best for discomfort caused by emotional stress or blocked energy (Qi). For purely excess (severe acute) or purely deficient (severe weakness) conditions, it shouldn't be used alone but rather mixed with other herbs for a balanced approach.

Core Efficacies & Traditional Applications

Traditional Functions

Calms the spirit, relieves constraint, invigorates blood, and reduces swelling. Apply to irritability, insomnia, and traumatic swelling or abscess that will not close.

1. Primary Focus: Soothing the Mood and Calming the Mind

Traditionally, this herb is used to relieve mental restlessness caused by emotional stagnation, helping to stabilize mood and improve sleep quality.

Common signs: It is ideal for feeling down, irritable, or experiencing restless sleep and vivid dreams due to heavy stress, chronic depression, or overthinking.
Common pairings: It is often paired with Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber) to enhance mood-soothing effects, Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed) to deepen sleep, or Fu Ling (Poria) to calm the mind.
Caution: Do not use this alone if your restlessness is caused by an acute illness (external pathogens) or severe "excess" heat. Always identify your specific TCM pattern first.

2. Secondary Focus: Invigorating Blood and Reducing Swelling

It is also used to unblock blood stasis in the meridians, relieve localized pain, and support physical recovery.

Common signs: Useful for localized swelling and pain from physical injuries, early-stage red and swollen skin sores, or limb stiffness due to blocked energy channels.
Common pairings: Often combined with Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis) to boost blood circulation, Pu Gong Ying (Dandelion) to clear toxins, or Ru Xiang (Frankincense) for targeted pain relief.
Caution: If a skin sore is open, ulcerated, or pus-filled, do not use this for self-care; seek professional medical treatment.

3. Common Single-Herb Pairing: Synergy

A highly effective classic pairing is He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark) and Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber).

The Synergy: He Huan Pi focuses on soothing the mind and emotions, while Yu Jin specializes in moving Qi (energy) to relieve physical stagnation. Together, they effectively manage irritability, chest tightness, and poor sleep caused by severe emotional stress.
Note: This pairing requires a proper TCM diagnosis and shouldn't be mixed casually without practitioner guidance.

Modern Research

Modern research offers useful context, but Traditional Chinese Medicine prescribes on whole-pattern diagnosis rather than isolated compounds.

1. Main Chemical Components

Modern science has identified several compounds in He Huan Pi, including triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and polysaccharides.

The saponins are considered the primary active ingredients.
While some lab and animal tests show that these extracts might help soothe mood or reduce swelling, it is important to remember that these animal results cannot simply be equated to human results. Human clinical studies are currently limited and mostly small-scale.

2. Modern Pharmacological Focus

Current research mainly focuses on isolating active components to see how they work.

Studies suggest the extracts might influence physiological markers related to mood, showing potential anti-anxiety effects in animal models.
There are also preliminary signs of anti-inflammatory properties. However, this research is still in its early stages and needs much more human data to confirm real-world benefits.

3. Limitations of Modern Research

When looking at modern studies on traditional herbs, a few caveats apply:

Lab vs. Real Life: Results in a petri dish or an animal model are just preliminary hints, not proof of how it works in humans.
Extracts vs. Whole Herb: Labs often use single, isolated compounds. In TCM, the traditional method uses a water decoction of the whole bark, which contains a complex mix of ingredients working together.
Inconsistent Methods: Different studies use different dosages and extraction methods, making it hard to compare results directly.
Synergy is Key: In TCM, the effectiveness of an herb like He Huan Pi relies on the synergy of all its natural parts. Judging the herb based on just one chemical compound doesn't give the full picture.

Comparing Similar Herbs

1. Common Ground

He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark) and Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root) are both commonly used to calm the spirit. They are frequently found in emotional wellness formulas and require careful attention to dosage. Neither should be used long-term or in massive amounts.

2. Core Differences

Nature: He Huan Pi is neutral, sweet, and slightly astringent with no extreme hot or cold bias. Yuan Zhi is warm, bitter, and acrid, making it much more warming and drying.
Therapeutic Focus: He Huan Pi excels at soothing mood and invigorating blood (mental and physical relief). Yuan Zhi focuses on calming the heart and clearing phlegm to open the mind (best for phlegm-related blockages).
Traditional Indications: Choose He Huan Pi for mild stress-induced irritability, bad sleep, or minor physical bruises. Choose Yuan Zhi for agitation, heavy phlegm, and memory loss caused by internal dampness and phlegm.
Contraindications: He Huan Pi is generally neutral but should be used cautiously during pregnancy. Yuan Zhi is warm and drying, so those with Yin deficiency (internal heat) or active excess heat must avoid it completely.

3. One-Sentence Summary

He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark) gently balances mood and relieves physical swelling, while Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root) uses warmth to clear cold-phlegm and awaken the mind; both calm the spirit, but they serve entirely different body conditions.

Classical Formulas Containing He Huan Pi

Formulas vs. Single Herbs

Synergy is Key: A formula is a balanced team. The healing power comes from how the herbs interact, so a single herb cannot simply replicate a full formula's effects.
Holistic Balance: The exact dosage and combination in a formula affect the entire body. Never try to mix or alter these formulas at home based on internet articles.

Diet & Daily Home Use

1. Home Herbal Teas

He Huan Pi Calming Tea:

Ingredients: 5g He Huan Pi (Silktree Bark), 3g Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed), 2g Fu Ling (Poria).
Method: Rinse all ingredients, place them in a thermos, add boiling water, cover, and steep for 15 minutes.
Best for: Mild irritability or restless sleep due to daily stress. Great for daytime use or an hour before bed.
Caution: Not suitable for pregnant women, those with Yin deficiency (dry mouth, hot hands and feet), or anyone allergic to these ingredients.
Frequency: Drink 2 to 3 times a week max. Do not use continuously.

2. Decoction and Processing

Raw vs. Processed: Raw He Huan Pi is slightly better for soothing emotional stress. The stir-fried version is crispier, easier to brew, and has a milder profile suited for daily wellness.
Brewing: It does not require special boiling methods. Simply simmer it alongside other ingredients for 20 to 30 minutes. Do not directly swap mild tea dosages with stronger clinical decoction dosages.

3. Dosage and Usage Cycle

Clinical Dose: Typically 6 to 12 grams in a professional prescription.
Dietary Dose: 3 to 6 grams for home use (significantly lower than medicinal doses).
Cycle: Do not use continuously for more than 2 weeks. If symptoms persist or worsen, stop immediately and consult a doctor. Vulnerable groups must consult a professional for safe dosage adjustments.

Contraindications & Safety Warnings

1. Who Should Avoid It

Yin Deficiency / Internal Heat: People with a dry mouth, hot palms/soles, and a red tongue should avoid self-prescribing this herb.
Pregnant and Nursing Women: Use with extreme caution and only under strict medical advice.
Vulnerable Groups: Children, the elderly, and those with liver or kidney issues should always seek a doctor's evaluation first.
Allergy Sufferers: Strictly avoid if you are allergic to plants in the Fabaceae (legume) family.
Medication Users: Consult a physician if you are currently undergoing special medical treatments (like anti-coagulant or psychiatric therapies).

2. Drug Interactions and Dietary Notes

Medications: He Huan Pi may interfere with sedatives or blood thinners. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist before combining it with conventional medications.
Diet: While there are no universal "food clashes," specific herbs can interact with daily medications. Avoid casual mixing if you are on a prescription.

3. Adverse Reactions and Overdose Risks

Side Effects: Overuse may cause mild digestive discomfort, such as nausea or a bloated stomach.
Emergency: Stop immediately and seek medical help if you experience severe discomfort, allergic reactions (rashes, itching), persistent vomiting, breathing trouble, changes in consciousness, or a sudden worsening of your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions About He Huan Pi

What is He Huan Pi? Are albizia flower and polygonum stem the same?

Official He Huan Pi (合欢皮) is the dried bark of Albizia julibrissin. The pharmacopoeial name is Albiziae Cortex. Albizia flower is sweet-neutral: resolves depression and calms the spirit. Polygonum stem (Ye Jiao Teng) is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels. The three cannot be interchanged by equal weight. Write He Huan Pi. Wind-heat spontaneous sweating and external-pathogen insomnia are contraindicated.

What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of He Huan Pi?

According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, He Huan Pi is sweet and neutral, enters the Heart, Liver and Lung channels, and acts to resolve depression and calm the spirit, move Blood and reduce swelling. It is used for spirit restlessness, depression with insomnia, Lung abscess, sores and swelling, and pain from falls. Sweet and neutral, it suits emotional constraint—not wind-heat spontaneous sweating, or external-pathogen insomnia.

How do you choose raw versus prepared bark? Can albizia flower replace it?

Raw bark is stronger for moving Blood and reducing swelling. Albizia flower leans to resolving depression and calming the spirit; it cannot replace moving Blood by equal weight. Commercial albizia-bark tea is not equal-weight pieces.

What is the usual dosage? Can it be drunk daily as a spirit tea?

The pharmacopoeial decoction dose is 6–12 g. External use is in suitable amounts. It is not a four-season “albizia-bark spirit tea.” External-pathogen insomnia only disperses further as it is resolved. Insomnia needs a practitioner to name a short course; it does not replace sleep assessment.

What are the contraindications? Can it be used in pregnancy?

Contraindicated in wind-heat spontaneous sweating and external-pathogen insomnia. Use caution in pregnancy. Stop if sweating or irritability appears. Depression with insomnia and Lung abscess need medical care.

Can He Huan Pi resolve depression and calm the spirit, move Blood and reduce swelling?

It can help emotional-constraint insomnia and sores and swelling. It joins sour jujube seed and polygonum stem. It resolves depression and calms the spirit, moves Blood and reduces swelling—not a specific for every insomnia or every sore and swelling.

Can He Huan Pi be drunk daily as a spirit or swelling tea?

Emotional constraint may enter a short formula; external-pathogen insomnia only disperses further as it is resolved. “Albizia bark must calm the spirit” does not replace assessment. Resolving depression, calming the spirit, moving Blood and reducing swelling should name 6–12 g.

How do you choose among He Huan Pi, albizia flower, polygonum stem, sour jujube seed and polygala?

Albizia bark is sweet-neutral: resolves depression and calms the spirit, moves Blood and reduces swelling—depression with insomnia and sores. Albizia flower is sweet-neutral: resolves depression and calms the spirit—emotional constraint. Polygonum stem is sweet-neutral: nourishes Blood and calms the spirit, dispels wind and frees the channels—Blood-vacuity insomnia. Sour jujube seed is sweet-sour and neutral: nourishes the Heart and tonifies the Liver, calms the Heart and settles the spirit—vacuity vexation insomnia. Polygala is bitter-acrid and warm: calms the spirit, benefits the intellect, connects the Heart and Kidney—Heart-Kidney non-communication. Resolving depression favors He Huan Pi; the flower favors albizia flower; Blood vacuity favors polygonum stem; vacuity vexation favors sour jujube seed; Heart-Kidney favors polygala. They may be paired after pattern differentiation; external-pathogen insomnia forbids large He Huan Pi and polygala, and pregnancy warrants caution.

Which herbs is He Huan Pi combined with? What are the representative formulas?

Depression with insomnia joins sour jujube seed, polygonum stem and biota seed. Write He Huan Pi 6–12 g; do not replace moving Blood with albizia flower by equal weight.

How do you choose and store He Huan Pi?

Choose curled cylindrical or half-cylindrical pieces, a gray-brown outer surface with longitudinal wrinkles, a pale yellow or yellow-white inner surface, hard brittle texture, a fibrous cut surface, a faint aroma and a bland slightly astringent taste. Moldy, dirty or scentless lots are discarded. Store ventilated and dry. Buy pharmacopoeial He Huan Pi; do not replace resolving depression and calming the spirit, moving Blood and reducing swelling with albizia flower or polygonum stem by equal weight.

Related Products

Nong's He Huan Pi (Albizia Bark) Single Herb 5:1 Concentrated Granules $40.55

Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.