Magnolia bark extract, used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains magnolol and honokiol which reduce stress and inhibit cortisol. It also has antioxidant benefits and is used to treat various conditions such as bad breath and respiratory problems. It is marketed in capsule or tablet form and has no adverse effects when taken in normal doses.
Magnolia bark extract is a liquid alcohol extracted from the bark of a magnolia plant and often administered as an herbal medicine. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine called houpu or hou po for hundreds of years, and is recognized worldwide for its medicinal properties. This extract is used to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms, especially upset stomach, allergic reactions, shortness of breath, anxiety, weight loss, and halitosis. The active ingredients in the medicine are present in almost all magnolia species, but Magnolia officinalis, or Houpu magnolia, is the most widely used.
The main active ingredients in magnolia bark extract are magnolol and honokiol, biphenol compounds, which are believed to reduce stress and stress-related symptoms and inhibit cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone associated with stress and fight-or-flight responses, as well as weight gain, diabetes, and immunosuppression. The extract also contains eudesmol, an essential oil with potential antioxidant benefits. Antioxidants repair and prevent cellular oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to increased cellular strength, increased immune function, and reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Magnolia flower is sometimes used to treat nasal congestion and headaches.
Honokiol is present in magnolia bark at about 1 to 5%, and magnalol is present at about 2 to 10%. Typical dosages use 3 to 9 grams of bark in hot water. Other traditional formulas include pin yin for constipation and congestion, which incorporates different ratios of magnolia bark, rhubarb, and chih-shih extract depending on their specific function. Pin yin formulas for weak digestive systems tend to mix magnolia bark with ginger and licorice. Respiratory problems are often treated with formulas that are mixed with a cinnamon stick.
Magnolia bark is also used to treat halitosis, or bad breath, due to its antibacterial properties and fragrance. The extract’s antibacterial activity may also help prevent tooth decay and is believed to kill most halitosis-associated oral bacteria within 30 minutes. Magnolol can also help prevent plaque buildup by inhibiting the enzyme glucotransferase. Some gums and breath mints are made with the extract to promote fresh breath and dental health.
This extract usually comes from cultivated trees, usually in China. It is usually marketed in capsule or tablet form, especially in the Western world. No adverse effects have been associated with the use of normal doses of magnolia bark extract. However, herbal medicine should not be taken with any drugs that act on the central nervous system, such as barbiturates, alcohol, or mood-altering drugs. Tuhoupu, an herb made from manglietia, is sometimes used as a substitute for magnolia bark.
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