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Cura x Cura

He Huan Pi合欢皮

Albiziae Cortex · Albizia Bark · Silk Tree Bark

Herbs that Calm the Spirit 安神药《神农本草经》

Overview

The bark of the silk tree — sweet and neutral, entering Heart, Liver and Lung. The oldest materia medica already describes the tree as leaving a person untroubled, and that is still its use: it resolves constraint and settles the spirit in irritable, broken sleep. It also invigorates blood and reduces swelling, which is why it appears in trauma and abscess formulas. Stronger and more moving than the flower.

Nature & Flavor

Sweet · Neutral

Channels

Heart · Liver · Lung

Typical Dosage

6–12 g in decoction
合欢皮Photography for this entry is on its way.

Actions

2 core actions

  • Resolves constraint, calms the spiritConstraint with irritability and poor, broken sleep; flat mood after loss or prolonged stress.
  • Invigorates blood, reduces swellingTraumatic swelling and pain; sores and abscess, including lung abscess with pus, as an adjunct.

In Formulas

Formulas containing He Huan Pi

No published formula lists this herb yet — the library is growing.

Indications & Clinical Uses

  • Insomnia and irritability from emotional constraint
    - Flat mood, chest oppression
    - Traumatic swelling and pain
    - Sores and abscess (as an adjunct)

Western Medical Keywords

Searchable condition terms

InsomniaAnxietyLow moodSoft-tissue injury

Contraindications

Cautions

It moves blood as well as settling the spirit, so use it carefully alongside anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication and in bleeding disorders. Like the flower, it supports rather than replaces psychiatric or psychological care in serious mood disturbance.

Contraindicated in pregnancy: Traditionally used with caution in pregnancy because it invigorates blood — practitioner supervision required

For licensed practitioners’ reference only

References

  1. Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing《神农本草经》(classical source, public domain).
    2. Bensky, Clavey & Stöger. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, 3rd ed.
    3. 《中华人民共和国药典》.

Professional reference notice. Entries are scholarly references for licensed TCM practitioners and students — not medical advice, and not a recommendation to self-prescribe. Chinese herbal formulas should be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. Content is an original editorial compilation by Cura x Cura, cross-checked against the cited references.