Albizia julibrissin, commonly known as the "silk tree" or "mimosa tree," has a long history of traditional use in East Asian medicine, particularly Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), for mood-related conditions including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. In TCM, it is referred to as "He Huan Pi" (bark) and "He Huan Hua" (flower) and is described as having calming and spirit-lifting properties. Classical Chinese medical texts recommend it for relieving "constraint of the heart and mind," which is interpreted by some as analogous to modern concepts of depression and emotional distress.

Scientific research on Albizia julibrissin is limited but growing. Some in vitro and animal studies have identified neuroprotective, anxiolytic, and antidepressant-like effects, potentially linked to its flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids. For example, rodent models have demonstrated reductions in depressive-like behaviors after administration of extracts; however, mechanisms are not fully understood and very little human clinical research exists. No large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials have confirmed efficacy or safety for depression in humans.

Overall, the use of Albizia julibrissin for depression is primarily justified by traditional use rather than robust scientific validation. Evidence quality is low to moderate (rated 2/5), and more rigorous clinical research is needed to substantiate its efficacy.