he huan hua

合欢花·Flos Albiziae

Albizia Flower

About he huan hua

He Huan Hua (合欢花) is the flower of the silk tree, a legume, recorded as Flos Albiziae. It is sweet in flavour and neutral in temperature, entering the Liver and Stomach channels. The catalogue files it among the substances that nourish the Heart and calm the Spirit.

Names

Pinyin	he huan hua
Chinese	合欢花
Latin Name	Flos Albiziae
English Name	Albizia Flower·Silktree Flower
Japanese	gokanka
Korean	haphwanhwa

Classification

Category: Nourish Heart, Calm Spirit
Channels: Stomach, Liver
Flavour: Sweet
Temperature: Neutral
Part used: Flower
Family: Fabaceae
Species: Albizia Julibrissin
Tags: Chinese Herbs, Common

Actions and indications

Spreads constrained Liver Qi, moves Qi in the collaterals, harmonises the Stomach and calms the Shen

Pent-up emotions causing insomnia, forgetfulness and irritability, particularly with epigastric pain and a sense of pressure in the chest
Constrained Liver Qi: tightness across the chest and flanks, a low mood, and an inner knot of unease that does not let go
Low mood, anxiety and unease from bottled-up feelings
Insomnia and poor memory rooted in emotional constraint rather than Blood or Yin deficiency

Combinations

ye jiao teng
Stagnation leading to insomnia; calms the Spirit by gently easing constraint, regulating Qi and nourishing Yin and Blood
huai niu xi
Stubborn pain of the limbs and lower back

Dosage

Age	Raw	Granule	Tincture	Concentrate	Frequency
Any	4.5-9 g	—	—	—	—

Cautions

pregnancy Pregnancy: caution is prudent, as for other herbs that move Qi