He Huan Pi | Cortex Albiziae | Silktree Bark
Properties: Sweet, Neutral
Channels Entered: Heart, Liver
He Huan Pi is a revered herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine known for its ability to calm the spirit, relieve constraint, invigorate and harmonize the blood, alleviate pain, and dissipate swelling. Its gentle, sweet, and neutral nature makes it particularly effective for supporting emotional balance, soothing tension, and promoting healthy tissue recovery.
In TCM, healthy skin relies not only on circulation but also on emotional and systemic harmony. Stress, tension, and stagnation can manifest in skin that is reactive, inflamed, or slow to heal. He Huan Pi addresses these imbalances by calming internal agitation and supporting blood flow, helping the skin maintain resilience, comfort, and overall vitality.
Active Constituents
- Triterpenoid saponins (julibrosides): support calming effects, mood regulation, and cellular protection
- Flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides: provide antioxidant activity, protect skin cells, and help modulate inflammation
- Lignan glycosides (e.g., lyoniresinol glucosides, picraquassioside C): anti‑oxidative and tissue-protective properties, supporting repair and resilience
- Phenolic compounds: contribute additional antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
- Sterols and tannins: enhance overall cellular protection and support skin structure
Modern research aligns with these traditional actions. Studies on Albizia Cortex highlight its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroactive properties. Triterpenoid saponins, in particular, are well studied for their calming and circulatory support, which mirrors the herb’s long-standing use for relieving constraint, promoting blood harmony, and soothing discomfort.
In KYA Skin Wash – Nourish, He Huan Pi works synergistically with other nourishing herbs to help maintain calm, balance, and hydration. This combination is ideal for skin that is sensitive, reactive, or in need of gentle restoration, allowing it to receive nourishment while supporting the skin’s natural healing and protective processes.
To explore the full Skin Wash: Nourish formula and learn how it supports balance, hydration, and skin resilience, click here.
Citations:
Bensky, D., Clavey, S., & Stöger, E. (2004). Chinese herbal medicine : materia medica. Eastland Press, Cop.
Lu, P., Zhang, C., Zheng, J., Li, C., Zhang, Q., & Huang, B. (2023). A comparison review of Hehuan flowers and Hehuan bark on the traditional applications, phytochemistry and pharmacological effects. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 303, 116002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.116002
Shi, X., Li, Z., Cai, W., Liu, Y., Li, S., Ai, M., Sun, J., Hou, B., Ni, L., & Qiu, L. (2019). Chemical Constituents from Albiziae Cortex and Their Ability to Ameliorate Steatosis and Promote Proliferation and Anti-Oxidation In Vitro. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 24(22), 4041. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules24224041