Common Name:  Albizia, Albizia lebbeck L.;  AKA Siris, siris tree, albizzia, pit shirish, Lebbek Tree, Flea Tree, Frywood, Koko and Woman's tongues Tree.

 

Family:  Fabaceae

 

Part Used:  Stem bark, leaves and seeds; flowers also used

 

Active constituents:  Saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins, flavonoids(albiziasaponins A, B and C, epicatechin, procyanidins and stigmastadienone)

 

Actions:  Antiallergic, antimicrobial, anticholesterolemic; antiseptic, antidysenteric, antitubercular; psychoactive-GABA stabilization, astringent, antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial actions, antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle, positive inotropy and an immunostimulant effect

 

Indications:  common use for asthma , allergy and eczema.  Asthma, allergic rhinitis, eczema, urticaria, high cholesterol, mast cell tumors, memory enhancer; nervous behavior, hemorrhoids.  Leaves are nutritious and palatable and used as fodder.

 

Cautions:  May have slight antifertility effect in males, may slightly depress T and B lymphocytes

 

Contraindications:  Possibly when trying to conceive

 

Herb Drug Interactions:  Synergistic with inotropic heart medications and possible synergistic effects with mast cell stabilization drugs; Tricyclic and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant drugs: Increased risk of serotonin syndrome is theoretically possible, as albizia increases serotonin levels, according to in vivo studies — observe patient.. may have added effect with barbiturates

 

Dosage (use animal doses where available, otherwise human doses can be included here but specify):  Human: Dried herb:3-20 g TID; Tincture: 1:2 or 1:3: 1-5 ml TIDSmall animal: Dried herb: 25-200 mg/kg divided TID; Tincture: 1:2-1:3: 0.5-1.0 m; per 20 lbs.

 

Notes:  Common throughout India; used as ornamental tree elsewhere

 

Energetics:  cooling, dry

 

Historically: used for bronchitis, leprosy, paralysis, and helminth infection-used by Ayurvedic physicians; also for inflammations of the eye and gingivia, used as a pectoral tonic and to treat abdominal tumors.

 

Published research: uses opioid system to help diarrhea; significant effect on mast cells and inhibit early sensitization and synthesis of reaginic-type antibodies; seen in vitro and in vivo include antioxidant, antifungal and antibacterial actions, antispasmodic effect on smooth muscle, positive inotropy and an immunostimulant effect; different fractions of the herb have different effects on the neurotransmitters; shown to decrease brain concentrations of GABA and dopamine and increased serotonin; yet another fraction increased the level of GABA and serotonin; shown to have anticonvulsant activity.