Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis)
is a traditional Chinese medicine (where it is known in TCM as houpu
or hou po) used since 100 A.D. for treating "stagnation of qi"
(low energy) as well as a variety of syndromes, such as digestive disturbances
caused by emotional distress and emotional turmoil.
Claims
Magnolia bark is used as a general anti-stress and anti-anxiety agent
- so its claims typically center on general benefits in controlling
stress and anxiety. Newer claims are emerging, however, to link magnolia's
anti-stress benefits with control of the body's primary stress hormone,
cortisol, and the myriad health benefits associated with normal cortisol
levels (versus elevated cortisol, which has been associated with obesity,
diabetes, osteoporosis, memory problems and suppressed immune function).
Theory
Magnolia bark is rich in two biphenol compounds, (magnolol and honokiol),
which are thought to contribute to the primary anti-stress and cortisol-lowering
effects of the plant. The magnolol content of magnolia bark is generally
in the range of 2-10 percent, while honokiol tends to occur naturally
at 1-5 percent in dried magnolia bark. Magnolia bark also contains a
bit less than 1 percent of an essential oil known as eudesmol, which
is classified as a triterpene compound, and may provide some additional
benefits as an antioxidant.
Scientific Support
Two of the most popular herbal medicines used in Japan, one called saiboku-to
and another called hange-kobuku-to, contain magnolia bark and have been
used for treating ailments from bronchial asthma to depression to anxiety.
Japanese researchers have determined that the magnolol and honokiol
components of Magnolia officinalis are one thousand times more potent
than alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) in their antioxidant activity, thereby
offering a potential heart-health benefit. Other research groups have
shown both magnolol and honokiol to possess powerful "brain-health"
benefits via their actions in modulating the activity of various neurotransmitters
and related enzymes in the brain (increased choline acetyltransferase
activity, inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, and increased acetylcholine
release). Numerous animal studies have demonstrated honokiol to act
as a central-nervous-system depressant at high doses, but as a non-sedating
anxiolytic (anti-anxiety and anti-stress) agent at lower doses. This
means that a small dose of honokiol, or a magnolia bark extract standardized
for honokiol content, can help to "de-stress" you without
making you sleepy, while a larger dose might have the effect of knocking
you out. When compared to pharmaceutical agents such as Valium (diazepam),
honokiol appears to be as effective in its anti-anxiety activity, yet
not nearly as powerful in its sedative ability. These results have been
demonstrated in at least half a dozen animal studies and suggest that
magnolia-bark extracts standardized for honokiol content would be an
appropriate approach for controlling the detrimental effects of everyday
stressors without the tranquilizing side effects of pharmaceutical agents.
Safety
No significant toxicity or adverse effects have been associated with
traditional use of magnolia bark - but because high doses can cause
drowsiness, you might want to hold off on operating that bulldozer or
other heavy machinery while you're easing your anxiety with magnolia
bark.
Dosage
Typical dosage recommendations are for a magnolia bark decoction (hot-water
extract as with a tea) using 3-9 grams of dried bark. Modern-day usage
is most often in powdered/ or pill form, in which case the daily dose
ranges from 250-750 mg/ per day of an extract standardized for the primary
active ingredients (typically 1-2 percent honokiol and magnolol).
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