Magnolia bark / hou po (厚朴)

Magnolia officinalis

Chinese

Photo credit: Bruce Marlin

Safety information

Toxicity: Low at traditional doses.

Contraindications: Pregnancy (traditional caution — descends/moves qi); spleen-qi deficiency without excess.

Interactions: Honokiol/magnolol may potentiate sedatives (CNS depression); theoretical additive antiplatelet.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: traditional caution.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

Preparations

ginger-processed · stem/root bark

Part used: stem/root bark

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

in formula (Ban Xia Hou Po Tang) · stem/root bark

Part used: stem/root bark

Evidence:Traditional (systematized)

decoction · stem/root bark

Part used: stem/root bark

Traditional use: moves qi, dries dampness, descends rebellious qi, relieves fullness/distension; abdominal bloating, phlegm, cough/wheeze, plum-pit qi (globus)

Proposed mechanism: neolignans magnolol and honokiol — anxiolytic (GABA-A modulation), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, neuroprotective

Evidence:Preclinical

General preparation guide →

Associated conditions

Cough wheeze Cough abdominal bloating globus

Nutritional notes

n/a

Healing traditions

Chinese

Sources (1)

[E12] Magnolia officinalis (Hou Po) bark Nrf2/oxidative-stress study + honokiol/magnolol pharmacology

All sources →