Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Albiziae Cortex |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 合歡皮 · He Huan Pi |
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| Medicinal Part | Tree barks and root barks |
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| Efficacy Category | Mind-calming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried bark of Albizia julibrissin Durazz. (Fabaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Sweet; Neutral |
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| Channels Entered | Heart, Liver, Lung |
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What Is He Huan Pi?
He Huan Pi (Silktree Albizia Bark) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Henan and Hubei.
Nature & Flavour: Sweet; Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver, Lung
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.
Traditional TCM Properties
Sweet; NeutralHeartLiverLung
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.
How He Huan Pi Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, He Huan Pi is classified among the Mind-calming herbs.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Learn More About He Huan Pi
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of He Huan Pi.
Read the He Huan Pi Guide →
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.
