Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Silk tree (Albizia julibrissin), also known as Mimosa tree or "He Huan Hua" in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), has a long history of use in East Asian herbal practices. In TCM, the flowers and bark of the silk tree are used to "calm the spirit," alleviate anxiety, and relieve emotional distress. Headache is not typically a primary indication in Western herbal medicine, but in TCM, headaches related to emotional distress, insomnia, or mood disturbances may be addressed with silk tree preparations. The rationale is based on the herb’s reputed ability to harmonize the mind and relieve constraints that may manifest physically, such as tension headaches.

However, scientific validation for these uses is limited. The available modern research focuses largely on the plant’s anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing), antidepressant, and neuroprotective effects in animal models, with very few studies directly evaluating its impact on headaches. No robust clinical trials specifically support the efficacy of silk tree for headache management. Thus, while traditional use in TCM may include headache as a secondary indication—mainly when headaches are associated with stress or emotional imbalance—the evidence is primarily anecdotal and rooted in historical practice rather than modern clinical research.

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