Mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin) is an unmistakable beauty, with its frond leaves, otherworldly pink flowers, and long seed pods. Each element appears to dance weightlessly on the breeze. When Mimosa is in flower, its delicate scent, reminiscent of gardenia and fruit, fills the air. Learning of Mimosa’s foremost herbal indication as a mood balancer and spirit lightener, then, is no surprise—this tree just seems happy!
The Mimosa tree is a deciduous tree that typically grows in a vase shape, reaching heights of about 20-40 feet. Though it’s native to Asia and The Middle East, it has been widely naturalized throughout the U.S. as an ornamental and landscaping tree, especially in the southeast and California. Mimosa is prolific, and can be seen growing in vacant lots, waste areas, fields and along roadsides. In certain states, it’s considered invasive, which makes it a great candidate for herbal foraging. 2
Mimosa has dark green fern-like compound leaves, each with 10-25 pinnae, with each pinnae producing 40-60 tiny leaflets. The sensitive leaflets close up when touched, and through the night. Fragrant, fluffy, pink and white, silk tassel-esque flowerheads bloom from mid/late summer till fall. The flowers give way to flat bean-like seed pods which persist into winter, even after the leaves have fallen with the first frost. 4
The name “Mimosa” is derived from the Greek word “mimos”, which means “mimic”, and refers to the sensitive movements of the tree, which seem to mimic embodied life. Albizia, the genus name, is after Filippo degli Albizzia, an 18th century Italian naturalist who introduced Mimosa to Italy in 1749. Julibrissin comes from the Persian word ‘gul-ebruschin’ meaning “floss silk” in reference to Mimosa’s flowers. 6
All parts of the mimosa tree have been used for medicine, sustenance, and material, cross-culturally and throughout millennia, by people, animals, insects, and fungi. The following is a brief overview of Mimosa’s recorded roots and recent history.
Mimosa tree is native to Asia and The Middle East, with a range from Iran to Japan. It was first brought to the U.S. in 1785 by the French botanist Andre Michaux. Michaux planted Mimosa in his extensive botanic garden in Charleston, South Carolina, where it grew quickly into a 30 foot, vase-shaped tree with a flat, umbrella-like top. It rapidly gained popularity throughout the colonial southeast due to its prolific growth, lovely scent, and beautiful flowers, which attracted pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.2
The first written documentation of Mimosa’s medicinal properties appeared in “The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica,” or “Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing,” believed to be a compilation of Chinese oral medicinal traditions, written around 200 AD. This record describes Mimosa flower, or “He huan,” as having a “sweet and balanced” taste, with beneficial effects that “harmonize the heart and will [i.e., the emotions], and make one happy and worry-free. Protracted taking may make the body light, brighten the eyes, and [put one in a contented frame of mind as if one had] acquired whatever one desired.” 3
Mimosa bark, called “He Huan Pi,” was described as treating injuries from bruises, sprains, and broken bones. Mimosa bark moves stagnant blood, acts as an analgesic, inflammation, and swelling. 6 Traditional Chinese Medicine has used and continues to use Mimosa flower and bark in these ways for thousands of years, and western herbalism currently employs it in a similar fashion.
Mimosa is sweet, sour, drying, and aromatic in taste; the bark is more acrid than the flowers. It works on the heart and liver organ systems and is mood stabilizing, calming, sedative, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic in action.
Since its first mention in written history, Mimosa tree has been a wonderful remedy for low mood and depression. “[Mimosa] was traditionally used to ‘calm the spirit’ and relieve emotional constraint when associated with bad temper, bad mood, sadness, occasional sleeplessness, irritability and poor memory. It was believed to be especially useful for anyone experiencing profound heart-breaking loss.” 3 On a physiological level, Mimosa is thought to enhance all aspects of mood-balancing neurotransmitter secretion and regulation in the brain; in addition, it will not interact with any mood stabilizing or antidepressant pharmaceuticals. 1 The flowers will tend to have a more uplifting effect, whereas the bark is grounding to the spirit.
The mimosa tree, also known as the silk tree, is a beautiful ornamental plant native to Asia. It produces lovely pink, pom pom-shaped flowers that have a delicate, sweet scent. But beyond its ornamental virtues, the bark of the mimosa tree has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine.
Mimosa bark contains beneficial plant compounds and has anti-inflammatory analgesic and antioxidant properties. It has been used to treat wounds, muscle pain, headaches, insomnia, and stress. Today, mimosa bark is growing in popularity in the Western herbal medicine tradition.
If you have access to a mimosa tree, harvesting some of its bark can allow you to make your own mimosa bark remedies at home. Here is a step-by-step guide to sustainably harvesting mimosa bark.
When to Harvest
The best time to harvest mimosa bark is in early spring right before the tree leafs out. This is when the bark is most pliable and easy to peel. Avoid harvesting during the heat of summer or when the tree is stressed.
Selecting Branches
When harvesting, you want to be as minimally invasive as possible to the tree. Look for small, pencil-sized branches and shoots that can be pruned without causing harm to the overall shape and health of the mimosa tree.
Use clean sterilized pruning shears to cut off selected small branches and shoots. Make cuts at a 45 degree angle right above a node or bud. Take only a few branches from each large limb and avoid overharvesting from one area.
Peeling the Bark
Once branches have been cut, the next step is peeling off the outer bark. You want thin, papery strips of the exterior bark. The inner bark is too moist and flexible to use.
Hold the cut end of the branch securely on a hard surface. Take a sharp paring knife and slice down the length of the branch to shave off long strips of the outer bark. Apply minimal pressure so you only remove the papery layers.
Rotate the branch as needed to peel off strips around the entire circumference. The goal is to harvest as much of the useful outer bark as possible without cutting too deep into the inner bark.
Drying the Bark
Freshly peeled mimosa bark needs to be dried before it can be used for herbal preparations. Here are two options for drying:
Air Drying
- Cut peeled bark strips into 1-2 inch pieces
- Lay pieces out in a single layer on mesh screens or baking sheets
- Place in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight
- Allow to dry for 1-2 weeks until thoroughly brittle and dry
Oven Drying
- Cut peeled bark strips into 1-2 inch pieces
- Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet
- Place in oven on lowest setting, 170°F or below
- Dry for 6-12 hours, checking frequently
- Remove immediately once dry and brittle
The slower the drying process, the better it preserves the aromatic compounds in mimosa bark. Store fully dried bark in airtight containers out of sunlight until ready to use.
Making Mimosa Remedies
Once you’ve harvested and dried mimosa bark, there are many herbal preparations you can make:
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Tea – Simply add 1-2 teaspoons of dried bark pieces to 8 ounces of hot water and allow to steep 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink.
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Tincture – Soak bark in vodka or other clear liquor for 4-6 weeks, then strain and store in amber dropper bottles.
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Powder – Grind dried bark into a fine powder using a coffee/spice grinder to use in capsules.
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Wash or compress – Make a strong tea and apply externally to skin as a wash, or soak cloth in tea and apply as a compress.
Always properly identify any tree before harvesting. Only harvest from trees you have permission to gather from, and never harvest in protected natural areas. By following these simple steps, you can sustainably forage for mimosa bark and experience the benefits of this special tree medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mimosa bark look like?
Mimosa bark has a tan papery exterior that peels off in long strips. The inner bark is reddish, flexible, and moist. Only harvest the outer papery layers.
What does mimosa bark taste and smell like?
Mimosa bark has a bitter, astringent taste. It has a faint almond-like scent when crushed or peeled. The flowers have a sweet, fruity aroma.
What are the uses for mimosa bark?
Traditionally used for inflammation, pain, wound healing, anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Modern uses focus on anxiety, depression, muscle spasms, and insomnia.
Is it safe to harvest mimosa bark?
Yes, harvesting thin strips of outer bark does not usually harm the tree. Avoid overharvesting from one area and do not take inner bark. Only take what you need.
When is mimosa bark ready for harvest?
Harvest in early spring when sap is flowing and bark is most pliable. Bark is thinner and easier to peel during this period.
Can I use other parts of the mimosa tree?
Yes, the flowers and leaves also have uses, but the bark is most widely utilized. Use for tea, tinctures, elixirs, and more.
How do I dry and store mimosa bark?
Slowly air dry or use lowest oven setting. Store fully dried bark in airtight containers in a cool, dark place. Keeps 1-2 years.
With the proper ethical harvesting techniques, mimosa bark can be a sustainable backyard herbal remedy. Follow these guidelines to respectfully wildcraft from this multipurpose ornamental tree.
Wound Healing & Circulatory Support
Similarly, Mimosa bark has long been regarded as one of the most important herbs in the pharmacopoeia of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of external trauma and injuries. Taking the bark internally and applying it externally promotes blood circulation, reduces pain and swelling, and aids in the regeneration of flesh and bone in the case of fractures and breaks. 5 The high concentration of the organic compounds saponines, polyphenols, and tannins in Mimosa bark make it anti-microbial and wound healing, with a marked curing effect on second and third degree burns. 6
Mimosa is considered a safe and well-tolerated herb; there are no current contraindications. As with any herb or supplement, consult an informed herbalist and primary healthcare practitioner before use.
Antioxidant Effects & Skin Support
Studies show that Mimosa, especially Mimosa bark, has antioxidant and anti-aging compounds. In one study, a methanolic extract of the stem bark of Mimosa was also found to have significant potential in scavenging destructive free radicals. The extract also inhibited the formation of future free radicals, reduced the total free radical species, and scavenged particularly prolific free radical compounds. 6 Furthermore, Mimosa extract has both preventive and reparative effects against glycation, an aging process of the skin. It can neutralize or detoxify free radicals in the skin which lead to glycation, and also support a process called “de-glycation,” leading to the repair of collagen structures in the skin. 1