General Information

Botanical Name: Albizia lebbeck

Common Name: Pit Shirish Shirisha (Sanskrit)

Plant Family: Leguminosae (Mimosa subgroup)

Origin: India

History: Used as an Ayurvedic Herb in India. Albizia has a long history of use in Ayurvedic herbal medicine for the treatment of allergic disorders.

Plant Constituents

Contains:

• cardiac glycosides
• flavonoids
• saponins
• tannins

Dosage:

Recommended dosage is as follows:

• 3-6mL/day 1:2 fluid extract (higher doses by decoction)

Usage

Medicinal Part used: Stem Bark

Albizia is commonly used for:

Allergic Conditions

• reduces the release of histamines through a stabilizing effect on mast cells
• mildly suppresses activity of T-lymphocytes reducing the level of allergy-inducing antibodies

Blood Conditions

• high blood cholesterol

Respiratory Tract Conditions

• asthma
• allergic rhinitis (commonly called hay fever) is an inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes that line the nose.

Skin Conditions

• eczema (internal and external)
• urticaria (nettle rash)

Albizia does not contain alkaloids.

Action:

• anti-allergic [anti-allergic activity thought to be provoked through an effect on the adrenals]
• anti-fungal [an agent that destroys fungal conditions]
• anti-inflammatory [an agent to ease inflammation]
• anti-microbial [an agent that destroys microbes]
• cardio-tonic [an agent that stimulates or otherwise affects the heart]
• hypo-cholesterolemic [agent to lower blood cholesterol levels]

Precautions

Drug Interactions:

Do not use Albizia without first talking to your practitioner or healthcare provider if you are taking any of the following medications:

• None noted