Herb Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit

He Huan Pi

Silktree albizia barks | 合欢皮

Albiziae Cortex

TCM Properties

Temperature

Neutral

Taste

Sweet

Organ Affinity

Heart, Liver

Parts Used

bark

TCM Actions & Uses

Traditional Chinese Medicine properties and applications of He Huan Pi

Traditional Actions

Calm the Mind
Remove Qi Stagnation
Circulate Blood
Reduce abscesses

Key TCM Concepts

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), He Huan Pi belongs to the 'Herbs that anchor and calm the Spirit' category. These herbs are substances that tranquilize the Mind and treat symptoms such as restlessness, palpitations, anxiety or insomnia. They tend to have sedative properties by weighing the Qi downwards and should generally be used for a limited time only.

 

Furthermore He Huan Pi is Neutral in nature. This means that He Huan Pi typically doesn't affect the balance in your body. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Eating too many "Hot" (Yang) ingredients can lead to an imbalance whereby one has a Yang Excess. The inverse is true as well: too many "Cold" (Yin) ingredients can lead to a Yin Excess. The Neutral nature of He Huan Pi means that you don't have to worry about that!

 

He Huan Pi also tastes Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sweet ingredients like He Huan Pi tends to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.

 

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such He Huan Pi is thought to target the Heart and the Liver. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Liver on the other hand is often referred as the body's "general" because it is in charge of regulating the movements of Qi and the Body Fluids. It also takes a leading role in balancing our emotions.

Common Applications

Anger Insomnia Depression Irritability Poor memory Swellings Fracture pain Trauma pain Traumatic swelling

Preparation & Dosage

Traditional and modern methods for preparing He Huan Pi

Traditional Preparation

Collect the bark from the tree and dry

Recommended Dosage

Note: The following information is provided for educational purposes only and is not meant to replace professional medical advice.

6-30g

Safety & Contraindications

Important safety information and precautions for He Huan Pi

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before using any herb or supplement.

Herb-Drug Interactions

Like many herbs, He Huan Pi may interact with certain medications. If you are taking any prescription medications, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider knowledgeable in herb-drug interactions.

Related Educational Resources

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