Albizia Julibrissin is known as “The Tree of Happiness.”
Cooling, drying
Ruling Planet: Moon
The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs.) It is rich in phenolic compounds, saponins, and triterpenoid saponins.
Its leaves slowly close during the night and during periods of rain, the leaflets bowing downward; thus its modern Persian name shabkhosb (شبخسب) means "night sleeper" (from shab شب "night" and -khosb خسب "sleeper". In Japan its common names are nemunoki, nemurinoki and nenenoki which all mean "sleeping tree". Nemu tree is a partial translation of nemunoki.
Albizia is thought to enhance all aspects of neurotransmitter secretion and regulation. However, because of its blood-moving properties, it is contraindicated for use during pregnancy.
Its anti-depressant effects are largely mediated though the 5-HT1A receptors.
The active constituents of albizia are saponins and tannins, while specifically, it contains albitocin, b-sitosterol, amyrin, 3,4,7-trihydroxyflavone, spinasterylglucoside, machaerinic acid, lactone, methyl ester, acaci acid, and lactone. Several compounds of flavonol glycosides, which have demonstrated sedative activity, including quercetrin and isoquercetrin are also a part of its constituents.
Albizia Julibrissin is considered one the most valued of Chinese botanicals for relieving anxiety, stress and depression. In traditional Chinese medicine Albizzia jublibrissin (合歡花 He Huan Hua) is used to nourish the heart and calm the spirit.