Stress Relief at its Best!

   Meandering around the hillside and back in the woods behind the Little Bayou House, one can find any number of interesting plants.  One of my favorites is the albizia or silk tree.  The blooms have the sweetest scent and can be white to deep pink.  Most folks around here call the trees mimosas but that is not quite accurate.  There is a family of plants of the genus mimosa that are not the same thing at all!   But, mention the mimosa and everyone knows which tree.  They are favorites here in the Deep South and have earned their place alongside the magnolias. wisteria and confederate jasmine.  There is nothing better than sitting in the old rocking chair late in the evening and catching the scent of these blooms wafting on the cool night air. 

  But albizia is supposedly pretty amazing plant besides being so sweetly scented and so prettily adorned.  Just about all parts of it have purported medicinal uses when used properly.  One of the most touted uses is to help with relieving stress.  Sounds wonderful but, at the same time, sounds a bit scary because so little is known about the side effects.  Trust me on this, don't just run out there and grab a handful of leaves, flowers or bark and start munching it unless you want to pretend to be a rabbit.  Misusing any herb can cause more problems than it helps.  Get a bit of expert advice first.

  That said, I figure the best way to use albizia to treat stress is to find a front porch, pull up a rocking chair, watch the lightning on the horizon and breathe.  Breathe in that heavenly aroma from the mimosa tree that hangs over the rooftop.  Yep!  After about a half hour of that, I find things seem to be a whole lot better.  Or get out of bed at daybreak while the dew is still heavy laden and take a hike back under the mimosa trees.  My goodness!  I have nary a care in the world when I am there!  Maybe that albizia does work after all!