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Mimosa

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Mimosa is a tree that is considered invasive in these parts. Native to East Asia, mimosa has a long history as a medicinal plant in Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is named He-Huan, which means “Tree of Collective Happiness”. Read on to find out why this tree deserves our respect and appreciation despite its “invasive” tendencies.

BOTANICAL NAME: Albizia julibrissin

COMMON NAMES: Mimosa, Silk Tree, Sensitive Plant, Herbal Prozac, Collective Happiness Bark,  Happiness Tree, He Huan Pi (Pinyin)

FAMILY: Fabaceae (Legume or Bean family)

PARTS USED: Flowers and Inner Bark 

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION: Fast growing, broad-crowned, short trunked tree that grows to 30ft. Leaves have a graceful, feathery appearance, with doubly compound leaflets, each containing 2-30 pairs of oblong leaflets (pinnules) .5 to 1 inch long, one side distinctly longer than the other. The leaves of some species of mimosa are sensitive to touch, curling inward with contact, and many fold up their leaves at night. Flowers are pink, silky, fluffy blooms. Around here these bloom May-August. The seeds that appear in late summer are flat, brown, dry, and shaped like pea-like pods, about 6” long.

GROWING/HARVESTING/PROCESSING: Commonly found growing throughout the Southern and Eastern regions of the United States, Albizzia is native to China, Persia, Korea and Japan. Plant prefers partial sun and moist but well-drained soil, however, will withstand drought and high winds and is quite resilient.

To start from seed, nick seed and drop in just boiled water and allow to soak overnight. Plant about ½” deep and keep in bright light and with even light and moisture conditions. Germination takes about 1 week. Seedlings should be placed into gallon pots and grown out for a year before transplanting to landscape.

Harvest flowers when newly opened in early summer. After flowers have been open for more than 2 days, they will start turning brown. Harvest inner bark in late winter or spring. Use older bark if possible as the inner portion of the bark is the most potent medicinally and older branches carry more inner bark.

ACTIONS AND PROPERTIES: Nervine, mood-enhancer, sedative, analgesic, vulnerary, relaxant, antimicrobial, anthelminthic

INDICATIONS: Both the bark (he huan pi) and the flowers (he huan hua) of Albizia are used as a calming sedative in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Categorized in the Chinese Materia Medica as a calming spirit herb, or a “shen tonic,” Albizia can soothe a troubled heart and mind. The bark is thought to “anchor” or ground the spirit, while the flowers lighten it.

The flowers and bark are valued for relieving insomnia, anxiety, stress, and depression. Its use was first documented in the Shen Nong Ben Cao (Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica), one of the oldest medicinal texts from China, during the 2nd century. It was described as a mood-enhancing, calming and heart-soothing herb. Chinese people traditionally recommend its use for anyone who is suffering from grief as a result of a severe loss. While the flowers tend to have more uplifting and mood enhancing properties, the bark is more sedative and “anchors” the heart and the spirit, both of which can be helpful when there is grief, sorrow, insomnia and anxiety. It is wonderful for anyone suffering from heart-ache, depression, anxiety, anger, irritability, bad dreams, phobias, paranoia, sleep disorders, and any kind of emotional distress. 

Considering the proliferation of antidepressant drugs throughout the western world with their increasingly adverse effects, isn’t it wonderful that this tree grows in abundance and offers a safer and better alternative?  Michael Tierra says albizzia offers a more profound effect in treating depression and anxiety than the two most commonly promoted herbs, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Kava (Piper methysticum) and should be more widely used. Albizzia is thought to enhance all aspects of neurotransmitter secretion and regulation. Like all herbs, mimosa has multiple chemical constituents working on a number of pathways and mechanisms, giving it a pleotropic effect (more than one effect). 

Depression is a multifactoral syndrome with various underlying pathological mechanisms, and conventional antidepressants with single targets are often inadequate for effective treatment, while herbs like albizia have been shown to exert an antidepresasnt-like effect through various mechanisms, acting on multiple pathological factors across different systems (Huang B. et al).

Albizzia is also used for amnesia, poor memory, and agitation due to constrained emotions- especially when accompanied by epigastric pain and feelings of pressure in the chest. Secondarily, the bark is regarded as one of the most important herbs for the treatment of external trauma, contusions, and injuries. It promotes blood circulation, reduces pain and swelling, promotes the regeneration of flesh and facilitates the healing of bone fractures. (Michael Tierra)

Ayurvedic uses include bronchitis, asthma, allergic disorders, leprosy, eczema, as an anti-inflammatory agent, and worm infestation.

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Because of its blood moving properties it may be contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding, although I could find no definitive contraindications in any of my sources. Best to avoid during pregnancy at least. 

As mentioned from www.HearthsideHealing.com: “Please note that there are several western herbalists who have noted that Albizia has caused people susceptible to mania to become manic. This was surprising to me as there is no evidence of this in modern or traditional Chinese herbal literature. In fact, it is one of the most commonly prescribed herbs for insomnia, disturbed and vivid dreaming in Chinese medicine. But notable herbalists David Winston, Thomas Easley and Janet Kent have all reported this to me so I must make mention if it here.” I interpret this caution as a reminder to not use the herb unless it is indicated. Mania is not one of the indications for mimosa. Other emotional disturbances such as melancholy, grief and restlessness are indications for this plant. When we use herbs, we look to their energetics and indications to guide us. If someone does not have the symptoms described above, they probably don’t need this plant. If someone alternates between depression and mania, they would only need to use the mimosa when they are in the depressed state and discontinue when the mania sets in (maybe switch to skullcap and passionflower for those periods). 

I have also not been able to find any observed herb-drug interactions. Some sources say that there is a theoretical contraindication with mimosa for people who are taking prescription anti-depressants, but I have not found any validation for this in terms of studies or case reports. So, I would still feel comfortable using this concurrently with anti-depressant medications, but I would start with small doses and ask my client to tune into their body awareness monitor any changes to mood, energy, sleep, etc. Because mimosa has multiple mechanisms of action and is not working on a single target or pathway, it is unlikely that mimosa would cause a severe interaction.

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE: Soluble in alcohol, water

Dried bark: 9-30 g/day; Flowers: 3-9 g/day (Foster & Chongxi)

Tincture: Freshly dried flowers (1:2, 50% alcohol); Dried bark (1:5, 50% alcohol); 10 drops to 5 ml 1-4x/day.

Decoction of bark: As it is fairly unpleasant, this is not the best tasting infusion. To improve the taste, add other herbs which decoct well and benefit the formula’s intention. 

Can also infuse into honeys, oils, or use in an antimicrobial mouthwash.

COMBINATIONS:

  • Combine with Ghost Pipe, Oat Tops and/or Lemon Balm for deep grief
  • Combine with Goldenrod, Nettles, and Plantain for seasonal allergic relief

HOMEOPATHIC USE: Good for rheumatism, stiff joints, lancinating pains in back and limbs. Swelling of ankles, legs tremble. (Boericke)

FLOWER ESSENCE USE: I embrace childlike wonder. Helps regain playfulness and childlike innocence while remaining grounded. This Essence is wonderful for Dreamwork. (Brigd’s Way)

ETHNOBOTANY/FOLKLORE/HISTORY: German scientists assert that mimosa tree bark is part of the heavily guarded Coca Cola recipe, a concoction that has been making people happy for decades! (1999-2001- Pulse Media International)

Phyllis Light says mimosa is used in much the same way peach leaf is used in traditional Appalachian herbalism. She also suggests using mimosa to break addictions such as sugar.

Mimosa is also known in the East to “promote family affection & harmony” (Holmes)

REFERENCES:

  1. The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Thomas Easley & Steven Thorne
  2. hearthsidehealing.com – Mimosa – The Happiness Tree
  3. New Manual of Homeopathic Materia Medica with Repertory, William Boericke
  4. Albizia Spirit Essence – Brigid’s Way
  5. Herbal Emissaries- Bringing Chinese Herbs to the West- by Steven Foster & Yue Chongxi
  6. Jade Remedies: A Chinese Herbal Reference for the West, Volume 1- by Peter Holmes
  7. Huang B, Wu Y, Li C, Tang Q, Zhang Y. Molecular basis and mechanism of action of Albizia julibrissin in depression treatment and clinical application of its formulae. Chin Herb Med. 2023 Mar 15;15(2):201-213. doi: 10.1016/j.chmed.2022.10.004. PMID: 37265761; PMCID: PMC10230641. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10230641/ 

*** These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA. This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease ***

Kava Kava

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(Piper methysticum)
Kava root is a well-known herb used by many to relieve anxious states of mind and to promote a relaxed & euphoric mood. Kava is a large shrub native to Oceana and cultivated from Hawaii to New Guinea. The root is traditionally  pulverized & masticated in water or coconut water, then filtered and served at room temperature. The pungent & bitter taste is followed by a tingling sensation on the tongue, as the kavalactones begin to exert their analgesic effect.

Family: Piperaceae

Names: Kava Kava, Ava Pepper, Ava Root, Kawa

Parts Used: rhizome

Energetics: bitter, pungent, warming

Actions: relaxing nervine, hypnotic/sedative, antispasmodic, local anesthetic, urinary antiseptic, antifungal

Uses & Indications: Kava is primarily used to treat anxiety. It has been shown to reduce anxiety without dampening mental alertness or reaction time. In fact, it seems to improve concentration in some. As an antispasmodic, Kava also relaxes muscular tension and spasm, which makes it especially helpful for those who need to relax both body and mind.  In addition to relaxing tension, it has mild pain-relieving properties and has demonstrated “significant analgesic effects in animal studies, apparently via non-opiate pathways” (1). As a hypnotic, it can also be an ally for those struggling with sleep due to anxiety or muscular tension/pain. Kava has a reputation for helping menopausal women who struggle with mood swings and sleep troubles. Because it is warming, it may exacerbate hot flashes in some.

Kava is traditionally used among Pacific Islanders in ceremony. It is drunk during important political meetings and councils to facilitate an environment of peace and cooperation (How can we get our current leaders to give this a try!?) Kava Chai is a favorite beverage at herbal gatherings, shared at the end of the day, usually accompanied by live music and bare feet in the grass. I can assure you that it is effective at promoting a mild state of euphoria, sometimes resulting in uncontrollable giggles:)

Kava effects everyone differently. For some, it will make you feel giddy, light and uninhibited. For others, it can make you very sleepy. I believe that how kava effects your mood is highly dependent on what your body needs at that time, as well as the dose. Start small. You can always take more.

Alleged Hepatotoxicity & Safety Concerns: Kava should not be taken concurrently with alcohol and should be avoided by heavy alcohol users or anyone with pre-existing liver damage. There is a lot of controversy around the safety of kava, and some regulatory bodies have reacted to allegations of kava causing liver damage, leading kava to be restricted in some countries. As of 2004, a total of 78 cases of liver toxicity associated with kava use had been reported worldwide. However, most case reports had other drugs/alcohol involved (2). After review of the hepatotoxicity cases, it has been concluded that “the hepatotoxicity cases that were definitely attributable to kava were most likely immunologically mediated idiosyncratic drug interactions (IDRs), rather than a direct toxic effect” (3)

One study conducted in 2012 suggested that kava extract caused liver cancer in rodents who were fed massive amounts of kava extract in corn oil (Exposed rats received either 0.1, 0.3 or 1 gram of kava kava extract per kilogram of body weight and mice received 0.25, 0.5, or 1 g/kg), 5 days a week, for 2 years (2). This dose would be equivalent to 17-68 grams a day for a 150 lb human! That is over 100 times the dosing range recommended by Commission E.

Joseph M. Betz, Ph.D., a scientist with the National Institute of Health has a great presentation that discusses the controversy. After reviewing his presentation, it seems clear than when taken in appropriate doses, hepatotoxic effects are rare. Three studies that he reviewed (Sarris et al 2009, Conner et al. 2006, and Gasbur and Klimm 2003) all reported that Kava was well-tolerated among the participants and that no evidence of hepatoxicity was found (2).

Of coarse, every herb effects every person differently, and Kava does seem to have a higher potential than other plants to produce some kind of allergic reaction, especially among Caucasians. So, if you are interested in trying kava for the first time, please start with a low dose and listen to your body. The most common adverse reaction reported are in the form of dry, itchy skin rashes that have been known to occur among heavy kava users. If you notice any symptoms, on your skin or elsewhere, discontinue use. Most cases of clinically documented reactions have subsided within 24 hours of discontinuation.

Contraindications: Kava is probably safe for pregnant and breast-feeding women, when used in moderate doses, but caution should be used. Commission E and the Australian TGA recommend that kava-containing medicines are avoided by pregnant and nursing women, “but these ensued from lack of data rather than from any direct concerns” (3). “Women in some areas of New Guinea traditionally drank kava during pregnancy to promote the flow of milk…” “to induce an easy labor and to correct displacement of the womb” (3). There is no evidence of harmful effects on the fetus in animal studies or case studies. In Hawaii, women avoid any kava immediately after becoming pregnant. And there are reports of kava leaf being used topically to induce miscarriage (3). Taking all of this into consideration, it’s probably best to avoid kava during the first trimester.

Dosage: German Commission E recommends preparations equivalent to 60-120 mg of kavalactones taken 3 times a day (1). That’s about 840 mg/week. Kava does have the potential to be abused, like all mind-altering substances. Please use the plant with respect and gratitude, and remember that while all plants are here to help, they will let you know when you have crossed a line.

References:
1. Hoffman, David “Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine” (2003) Healing Arts Press: Rochester, Vermont

2. Joseph M. Betz, Ph.D. “Kava: Piper methysticum Forst.ppt presentation” from the Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH. December 8, 2013.

3. Bone & Mills “Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Second Edition.” Edinburgh London: Churchill Livingstone (2013).

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

This month, in celebration of Kava, we are offering 10% off of our Kava Cocoa and Kava Root Bath.