‘I’m an Herbalist, and This Lesser-Known Herb Will Boost Your Mood and Lower Your Anxiety’

If you have a fully-stocked tea drawer or kitchen cabinet filled with tinctures, you already know the powerful effect herbs can have. Need a little boost to get you over that 2 p.m. hump? Matcha‘s got your back. Want to chill out before heading to bed so you aren’t kept up with your anxious thoughts? A little chamomile should do the trick. But there’s one powerful herb, linked to lowering anxiety and mood-boosting, that you might not be familiar with just yet: Albizia.

Never heard of it? In an episode of Plant-Based, herbalist, certified health coach, and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett explains that albizia is a type of tree, also known as the mimosa tree or the tree of happiness. “It flowers these pink flowers that look like fireworks,” she says, adding that the medicinal properties of albizia is found in these flowers as well as the bark of the tree.

“The flowers of the tree are a little more uplifting, and the bark of the tree is more sedative, or calming,” Robinett explains. Because of these albizia benefits, the herb is often used to help treat anxiety, sleeplessness, mood imbalances, and irritability. In the video, Robinett goes into more details related to how the compounds of albizia chemically work their magic. “The way that mimosa works in the body is via two active compounds called quercetin and isoquercetin, and these contain the anti-anxiety and sedative effects,” she says.

While you might not be able to find albizia at your local supermarket, it is easy to find online from brands including Herb Pham ($15), Suncore Foods ($9), and PlantGift ($16). Just like other herbs, you can brew it as tea, mix it with sparkling water for a fizzy drink bubbling with benefits, or cook with it. Robinett loves cooking with herbs, and one way she likes to reap the albizia benefits is by snacking on a beautifully blue-toned mood-boosting berry bark. She combines it with two other powerful plants: grapefruit (linked to immunity, hormone balance, and happiness) and lavender (known to invite feelings of peace, tranquility, and relaxation).

Watch the episode to learn more about the benefits of each of these plants and get the recipe for the mood-boosting bark below.

Mood-boosting berry bark recipe

Ingredients1/2 pint blueberries1/4 lemon, juiced2 Tbsp + 2 tsp coconut oil2 Tbsp grapefruit powder1/4 cup tocos (rice bran)Several servings albizia tincture1 16-ounce jar coconut butterLavender, to taste

Instructions1. Add the blueberries, lemon, coconut oil, grapefruit powder, tocos, and albizia tincture to a blender.

2. Blend on high.

3. Separately, heat the coconut butter on a stovetop.

4. Add coconut butter to the blender and blend thoroughly.

5. Pour the batter into a baking sheet.

6. Sprinkle with lavender.

7. Freeze for about eight hours

8. Break the bark into pieces and enjoy!

For more creative ways to cook with herbs, join Well+Good’s Cook With Us Facebook group.