He Huan Pi: The TCM Herb for Calming the Mind and Reducing Swelling
- Hongji Medical
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
He Huan Pi, also known as Albizia bark or Mimosa tree bark, is a cherished herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its name, meaning "happy together," reflects its ability to lift mood and promote restful sleep, symbolizing family harmony. Valued for calming the mind and reducing swelling, it has been used for centuries to treat emotional distress and physical injuries.
He Huan Pi was first recorded in the Shennong Bencao Jing (Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica) as a top-grade herb, noted for harmonizing the five organs, calming the mind, and bringing joy.
Texts like the Mingyi Bielu praised its ability to ease restlessness and improve skin and vision, while the Yaoxing Lun highlighted its mood-lifting effects. In the Ming Dynasty, Li Shizhen’s Compendium of Materia Medica described its role in relieving depression, promoting blood flow, and reducing swelling, solidifying its place in TCM.
Properties of He Huan Pi
Nature and Channels
Taste: Sweet
Nature: Neutral
Channels: Heart, Liver, Lung
Main Benefits
Calms the mind and relieves depression
Promotes blood flow and reduces swelling
Dosage
Internal use: 6–12 grams, boiled in decoctions.
Growing Regions
Found in East, South, and Southwest China, including Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Fujian, Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan, and Yunnan.
Identification
Shape: Curled or semi-curled strips, 30–80 cm long, 1–3 mm thick.
Color: Grayish-brown or brownish exterior with horizontal lenticels and longitudinal wrinkles; yellowish-brown or light brown, smooth interior with fine striations.
Texture: Brittle, easily broken, with a fibrous cross-section.
Scent and Taste: Mildly aromatic, bland taste.
Clinical Uses of He Huan Pi
He Huan Pi is used in TCM to treat various conditions:
Emotional Distress and Insomnia: It alleviates low mood, irritability, and sleeplessness with frequent dreams.
Trauma and Swelling: It reduces pain and swelling from injuries or bruises, improving mobility.
Lung Abscess and Sores: It helps with chest pain, coughing up pus or blood, and swollen, painful sores.
Rheumatic Pain: It eases joint pain and stiffness caused by rheumatism.
S
pecific Benefits
Calming the Mind: He Huan Pi soothes liver qi stagnation, improving mood and sleep.
Promoting Blood Flow and Reducing Swelling: It enhances circulation and relieves pain from injuries or sores.
Relieving Joint Pain: It promotes joint mobility and reduces rheumatic discomfort.
He Huan Pi in TCM Formulas
He Huan Pi is often combined with other herbs in TCM formulas to enhance its effects. Here are some examples:
Gan Mai Da Zao Tang (Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube Decoction): Combines He Huan Pi with Licorice, Wheat, and Jujube to nourish the heart, calm the mind, and relieve emotional instability or insomnia, especially in women.
Jie Yu An Shen Tang (Relieve Depression and Calm the Mind Decoction): Includes He Huan Pi with Bupleurum, Cyperus, Turmeric, and Suan Zao Ren to soothe the liver and promote restful sleep for depression and insomnia.
Huo Xue Zhi Tong San (Promote Blood Flow and Stop Pain Powder): Pairs He Huan Pi with Dang Gui, Ligusticum, Safflower, and Frankincense to enhance blood flow and reduce pain and swelling from injuries.
Comparison with Similar Herbs
He Huan Pi shares effects with other TCM herbs but has unique strengths:
Suan Zao Ren (Sour Jujube Seed): Nourishes the heart and calms the mind but is better for insomnia due to yin and blood deficiency, with weaker depression-relieving effects.
Yuan Zhi (Polygala): Calms the mind and improves cognition but focuses on mental clarity rather than depression relief.
Ye Jiao Teng (Polygonum Vine): Nourishes the heart and calms the mind but is better for blood deficiency-related insomnia, with less focus on swelling reduction.
He Huan Pi stands out for its dual ability to calm the mind and reduce swelling
Modern Applications and Research
Modern research highlights He Huan Pi’s benefits:
Sedative and Hypnotic Effects: Its extracts shorten the time to fall asleep and extend sleep duration.
Antidepressant Effects: It helps alleviate symptoms of depression.
Antioxidant Effects: It neutralizes free radicals, protecting cells.
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Effects: It reduces inflammation and pain.
Clinically, He Huan Pi is used for insomnia, depression, and neurasthenia, with promising results.
How to Use He Huan Pi Safely
Precautions
Pregnant Women: Use cautiously due to its blood-activating properties.
Bleeding Tendencies: Avoid use, as it may worsen bleeding conditions.
Usage Tips
He Huan Pi is typically boiled in decoctions. Consult a TCM practitioner for proper dosage and suitability.
Conclusion
He Huan Pi is a versatile TCM herb known for calming the mind, relieving depression, and reducing swelling. It effectively treats emotional distress, insomnia, injuries, and rheumatic pain, with modern research supporting its sedative, antidepressant, and anti-inflammatory properties. To ensure safe and effective use, consult a TCM practitioner for guidance on dosage and application.
