Albizia Lebbeck

Albizia lebbeck (family Mimosaceae) is a deciduous woody tree that has been used for colds, cough, asthma, and bronchitis (Zia-Ul-Haq et al., 2013). The aqueous extract of bark of A. lebbeck showed antiasthmatic and antianaphylactic activity in experimental studies (Tripathi and Das, 1977). The aqueous extract of bark of this plant also showed antiallergic and MC stabilizing activity in experimental studies (Baruach et al., 1997). [Antiallergic and mast stabilizing activity of standardized extract of A. lebbeck with respect to catechin as a phytomarker has been reported (Venkatesh et al., 2010)]. Antiallergic effects were also demonstrated for bark extract in experimental models of cutaneous anaphylaxis. Another experimental study showed that decoction of the bark of this plant had MC stabilizing effects in rat peritoneal MCs (comparable to cromoglycate), and antianaphylactic effects as well as protection against histamine-induced bronchoconstriction in guinea pigs. However, there were no reductions in the weight of thymus, adrenal gland, or spleen (Faisal et al., 2012). In a clinical study, A. lebbeck stem bark decoction was administered to 81 patients of bronchial asthma and the results were assessed in terms of clinical recovery, symptomatic relief, and pulmonary function improvement. The results showed that there was significant improvement in the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), total eosinophil count, and ESR after 6 weeks of treatment, and 56% of asthma patients showed good response. These results suggested that A. lebbeck could be used as an effective herbal agent in bronchial asthma. In another study, 35 patients with tropical pulmonary eosinophilia who were treated with A. lebbeck water extract for 6 weeks showed excellent response (82% of patients) without any untoward effects . Care And Nurture Sunlight

• Keep the plant in morning sunlight for 3 to 6 hou ¹
• Protect the plant from direct harsh sunlight as it can cause damage to the foliage.

Soil

• The soil should be well drained and fertile rich in oragnic content.

Watering

• Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture.
• Water when top soil (3-4 inches) feels dry to touch.
• Water thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.

Application of Fertilizer

• During the main growing season feed the plant with organic fertilizer once a month.
• Loosen the topsoil without disturbing the roots of the plant so it can uptake the nutrients and moisture easily.

Re-potting

• When a plant outgrows in current pot, re-pot with fresh potting soil and some fertilizer.
• Do the re-potting late evening and keep the plant in shady area for 2 to 3 days and then move the plant in its suitable climatic condition.

Plant Protection

• Remove dead, infected or damaged plant parts and dispose them away from the planting area.
• Spray Neem, Eucalyptus or Citrus oil for any insect/pest attack, as a primary treatment.

Donts

• • Easily grows in AC rooms but away from AC vents.
  • Do not over-water the plant especially when pot does not have drainage holes.

Sunlight	Keep the plant in morning sunlight for 3 to 6 hours
Watering	Poke your finger/plain small stick into the soil to check the moisture. Water when topsoil (3-4 inches) feels dry to touch. Water thoroughly in the summer and reduce watering in winter and rainy season.
Soil	Soil should be well drain and fertile, rich in organic content.
Temperature	16 to 30 degrees Celcius.
Fertilizer	Apply any organic fertilizer.
Harvest Season	Harvest the leaf when it grows well and looks fleshy.