Image source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_080607-7360_Albizia_lebbeck.jpg
Family Leguminosae
Parts used Bark or bark powder (Hechtmann, 2011), leaves.
Constituents
Albiziasaponins A, B and C, epicatechin, procyanodins (Hechtmann, 2001).
Actions
Anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, anti-oxidant (Hechtmann, 2011), anti-diabetic, anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant & pancreas/renal/hepatic/cardiac protective action (Ahmed et al., 2014).
Indications
Allergic rhinitis, urticaria and asthma (Hechtman, 2011).
Bronchitis, asthma, allergic disorders, eczema, pruritus, gum inflammation (Bone, 2003)
A rat study from 2009 seeking support for the folkloric use of Albizia in inflammatory conditions concluded that the extracts of the plant exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory properties (Babu, Pandikumar & Ignacimuthu, 2009).
A 2010 study found that Albizia stem bark decoction was effective in providing symptomatic relief and pulmonary function improvemen; researchers did not posit the possible mechanism of action at molecular level (Kumar, Bansal, Gupta, Sannd & Rao, 2010).
In 2010 researchers investigated the catechin compound present in Labizia and concluded that the compound moderated histamine release and cytokine expression of antigen -IgE activated mast cells, having an anti-inflammatory/anti-allergic action (Venkatesh et al., 2010).
A 2011 study found that the anti-allergic action of Albizia was a result of its interference in histamine signalling mechanisms (Nurul et al., 2011).
A 2014 study on a saponin-rich butanolic extract of Albizia concluded that the saponin compound were responsible for the anti-inflammatory properties of the plant (Barbosa, 2014).
A 2015 investigation of the mechanism of action for the analgesic properties of Albizia leaves found that it may work via the GABAergic and serotonergic neurotransmitter pathways; the researchers posit that the flavonoids and saponins found in the leaves of the plant could be responsible for this effect (Meshram, Kumar, Rizvi, Tripathi & Khan, 2015).
Contraindications/Cautions
None known; no caution against using in pregnancy or lactation (Bone, 2003).
May reduce male fertility; in vivo rat studies have shown antiangrogenic and antispermatogenic affects of an extract of the herb (Gupta, Chaudhary, Yadav, Verma & Dobhal, 2005) and on male rats reduced sperm concentration, motility and testicular weight (Gupta, Kachhawa & Chaudhary, 2006).
Combinations
'Combines well with other anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-catarrhal herbs such as feverfew, eyebright, ribwort and Baikal skullcap' (Hechtman, 2011).
Dosage
Per day 3.5-8.5 ml of 1:2 liquid extract, per week 25-60 ml of 1:2 liquid extract (Bone, 2003).
Per day 3-6 g of bark or bark powder per day as an infusion (Hechtman, 2011).
References
Ahmed, D., Kumar, V., Verma, A., Gupta, P., Kumar, H., & Dhingra, V. et al. (2014). Antidiabetic, renal/hepatic/pancreas/cardiac protective and antioxidant potential of methanol/dichloromethane extract of Albizzia Lebbeck Benth. stem bark (ALEx) on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. BMC Complement Altern Med, 14(1), 243.Babu, N., Pandikumar, P., & Ignacimuthu, S. (2009). Anti-inflammatory activity of Albizia lebbeck Benth., an ethnomedicinal plant, in acute and chronic animal models of inflammation. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology, 125(2), 356-360. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.02.041
Barbosa, A. (2014). Anti-inflammatory Activity of Butanolic Extract of Albizia lebbeck. European Journal Of Medicinal Plants, 4(12), 1400-1407. doi:10.9734/ejmp/2014/11743
Bone, K. (2003). A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs (pp. 59-60). Edinburgh [u.a.]: Churchill Livingstone.
Gupta, R., Chaudhary, R., Yadav, R., Verma, S., & Dobhal, M. (2005). Effect of Saponins of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark on the reproductive system of male albino rats. Journal Of Ethnopharmacology, 96(1-2), 31-36.
Gupta, R., Kachhawa, J., & Chaudhary, R. (2006). Antispermatogenic, antiandrogenic activities of Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth bark extract in male albino rats. Phytomedicine, 13(4), 277-283.