Three Chinese Herbs You Can Grow in your Garden for Stress, Digestion, and Vitality
- Sean Dugan
- Feb 7
- 6 min read
I often get asked if I grow all the herbs I use at my clinic myself.
The short answer is “no”.
I use several thousand pounds of herbs in my clinic every year, so I would have to be a full-time herb farmer in order to grow, harvest and prepare enough herbs to supply my own clinic!
Much like Chinese herbal medicine practice, herb cultivation is its own art form. In China and other East Asian countries farmers have cultivated the same types of medicinal herbs for hundred of years.
Think of wineries, with their specific heritage grapes and terroirs⸺ you can’t simply throw a Champagne vine in your backyard and expect to produce the same product as Moët & Chandon! High quality Chinese herbs are, for the most part, the same; there is a craft and an art to growing, harvesting and preparing herbs for maximum consistency and potency.
I do, however, love to garden, and I grow a few of my favorite Chinese herbs for my family’s personal use.
What are some Chinese herbs you can grow in your garden? Here are a few of my favorites.
Table of Contents
The Albizzia Tree
My first exposure to herbal medicine was Western herbal wildcrafting, and I still love to connect with living plants as much as possible. A living herb can offer us clues to its function that become harder to discern when it is preserved or reduced to powdered form.
A great example of this is the Albizzia tree.
Take one look at these gorgeous, effervescent pink blossoms and you can easily believe they are a cure for the blues.
Albizzia, also know as the Silk Tree, the Mimosa Tree or the Tree of Collective Happiness, produces two important herbs: He Huan Hua (Albizzia flower) and He Huan Pi (Albizzia bark).
Albizzia flower and bark are used in Chinese herbal medicine to treat Liver Qi and Heart Qi Stagnation ⸺ anxiety, depression, stress, trouble sleeping or quieting the mind, and “feelings of constraint”, which can manifest either physically as a tightness in the chest or more subtly as a feeling of being boxed in or unable to fully express and be at ease.
I’m guessing a lot of us can relate to “a feeling of constraint”.
Albizzia appears in many formulas I use clinically, as stress and anxiety are part of a large number of health issues, either as primary cause or as an important element of a more complex issue.
Albizzia flower and bark appear in Folkwise Zen, my flagship formula for stress relief.
Folkwise Zen is based on the traditional formula Xiao Yao San, or the Free and Easy Wanderer, with the addition of Dan Shen (Chinese Salvia), He Huan Hua (Albizzia flower) and He Huan Pi (Albizzia bark). Dan Shen soothes and strengthens the Heart Qi while He Huan Huan Pi calms the spirit and promote a calm state of mind.
Albizzia bark also appears in Folkwise Sleep as a key herb for regulating the nervous system.
Folkwise Sleep is based on the traditional formula Suan Zao Ren Tang to support deep and restorative sleep. Suan Zao Ren Tang has been used for thousands of years for difficulty falling asleep, frequent waking, and dream disturbed sleep.
Albizzia is not a sedative herb; it can be taken any time of day and will not knock you out. It assists with healthy sleep by regulating the your nervous system and promoting balance; a calm and balanced spirit will rest at night and be alert during the daylight hours without the need for stimulants or sedatives.
This is a different approach than most Western sleep aids (both herbal or pharmaceutical) which focus simply on sedation rather than regulation.
In addition to being a top-tier herb for sleep and stress, the Albizzia tree is beautiful ⸺ and very popular with hummingbirds.
In the early summer I like to pick the flowers and tincture them fresh ⸺ combined with a little bubbly water (or wine), they make a magical Mimosa mimosa!
If you are interested in planting your own Albizzia tree, Zone is 6B/ 7A where I live is about as cold as they will take. Albizzia trees are happiest in a mild climate.
If you are interested in growing your own Albizzia tree, check with your local nursery or North End Organic Nursery if you are local to Boise, Idaho.
The Shiso Plant
Another medicinal herb I grow in my garden is shiso, or perilla. Shiso produces two Chinese herbs, Zi Su Ye, the leaf, and Zi Su Zi, the seed.
Shiso leaf is a wonderful digestive herb with gentle anti-parasitic and anti-microbial effects. It has a pleasant taste and can be used culinarily.
If you have ever been to a particularly classy sushi restaurant, you may have encountered shiso without even realizing it, right alongside the pickled ginger and wasabi on your plate. Historically shiso, wasabi and ginger were served with raw fish to support digestion and prevent parasites.
At less classy joints (or the Albertson’s sushi counter) you may notice that your sushi comes with a little sheet of green plastic ⸺ that is our modern shiso stand in! Definitely not as useful against an upset stomach.
In Chinese Medicine shiso seed is used to treat asthma by descending Lung Qi and transforming sticky phlegm.
Shiso is an annual plant that grows well in a variety of zones. I prefer bi-color varieties where the leaf is green with purple underside. There are many varieties, so you'll just have to try some and find your flavor.
Varieties with a purple leaf may have a longer history of medicinal use. There are many ancient stories that reference shiso, with roughly translated maxims like: "For sudden turmoil disorder, seek the herb with a purple leaf." If sudden turmoil disorder is too obscure, that was an old description of urgent diarrhea. Many old shiso stories involve a princess traveling in a carriage who is struck with food poisoning. When the royal court doctors (aka herbalists) needed a reliable remedy for this high-stakes situation, they turned to shiso. When failure to effectively treat a high profile princess could have meant death for an imperial physician, shiso became legend for saving everyone's asses.
The Jujube Tree
Last but not least is the jujube, also known as the Chinese date, Da Zao, or Hong Zao.
Jujube fruit is a classic tonic herb ⸺ it tonifies Qi and Blood, meaning it is a strengthening and nourishing herb that is used when the body is depleted.
Like shiso, jujube is a culinary herb, and can be used in nourishing soups or congees that are especially good for recovering your strength and spirit after illness.
In herbal formulas, jujube is used to tonify weakness as well as to balance other herbs which may be difficult to digest. Jujube's sweet nature makes the formula more acceptable to the digestive system. This action is an excellent example of the symbiotic relationship of herbs within a Chinese herbal formula - for example in Da Chai Hu Tang, jujube is used to balance the bitter and cold nature of the chief herb Da Huang (Rhubarb root).
Fresh jujubes are quite rare in the U.S. and are a unique and delightful little fruit to grow. They are cold hardy but need a long, hot summer in order to produce fruit. My current favorite variety of jujube is the Empress Gee, a Korean varietal with a large and tasty fruit. If you are interested in growing your own jujube trees, check out One Green World, Raintree Nursery, or your local nursery. If you're a Boise local, check out North End Organic Nursery.
Those are just three of my favorite Chinese medicinal herbs you can grow in your garden.
If you are interested in learning more about Chinese herbs and how I use them clinically, check out my other blog articles or follow me on Tiktok and Instagrm @folkwiseherbalmedicine.
If you would like to begin herbal treatment with me, you can learn more about me and schedule a consultation here.
To shop my Folkwise line of formulas, visit the store here.
Thanks for reading!
-Sean
Sean Dugan L.Ac. is a licensed and board-certified herbalist and acupuncturist. He holds a Master’s degree in Chinese Medicine from the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine as well as a Diplomate in Chinese Medicine from the NCCAOM. He has studied under many Master Herbalists including Dr. Guohui Liu, Dr. Jimmy Wei-Yin Chang, Dr. Fang Zhang, Dr. Greg Livingston, and Dr. Darren Huckle. Sean’s herbal medicine practice draws from both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Classical Chinese Medicine treatment methods, with a focus on clinical efficacy above all. He has been treating patients with Chinese Herbal Medicine since 2013.
Sean works with clients all over the US through the Folkwise Herbal Clinic. In-person appointments are available at our Boise, Idaho clinic.
