Magnolia bark(houpu) extract

• Product Detail

Product name	Magnolia bark(houpu) extract
Latin Name	Mangnolia officinalis
Active ingredients	Mangnolia officinalis
synonyms	Houpu, Houpu Magnolia, Magnolia
Appearance	Brown fine powder
Part used	bark
Specification	10:1, Magnolol and honokiol 95%
Dosage	<1g daily
Main benefits	Anti-Infective,Digestive system disorders, Treat halitosis,
Applied industries	Medicine, food additive, dietary supplement

What is Magnolia bark extract?

  Magnolia bark extract is a fluid alcohol extracted from the bark of a magnolia plant and frequently administered as an herbal medicine. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine called houpu or hou po for hundreds of years, and it is recognized worldwide for its medicinal properties. This extract is used to treat a variety of conditions and symptoms, especially upset stomach, allergic reactions, impaired breathing, anxiety, weight loss, and halitosis. The active ingredients in the medicine are present in almost all species of magnolia, but the Magnolia officinalis, or Houpu magnolia, is the most frequently used.

Magnolia officinalis

Magnolia officinalis (commonly called Houpu Magnolia or Magnolia-bark) is a species of Magnolia native to the mountains and valleys of China at altitudes of 300-1500 m.

The bark is stripped from the stems, branches, and roots and used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as hou po (thus the common names). This bark is highly aromatic and contains magnolol and honokiol,two polyphenolic compounds that have demonstrated anti-anxiety, hypoglycemic and anti-angiogenic properties. It has also been shown to reduce allergic and asthmatic reactions.[citation needed] Today, the bulk of bark used for commercial and domestic use is supplied by plants in cultivation.

Chemical constituents of Magnolia bark extract

The unmistakable pleasant fragrance of magnolia bark is primarily the due to the presence of two groups of compounds: biphenol compounds that have a mild fragrance, and an essential oil that has a stronger fragrance. In samples of magnolia bark from different areas of China, the content of magnolol and honokiol were in the range of 2-11% and 0.3-4.6% respectively . Eudesmol usually comprises just under 1% of the bark; this oil is also a component of atractylodes, an herb which has related therapeutic effects and a somewhat similar strong fragrance (in the rhizome that is used medicinally).

Benefits of taking Magnolia bark extract supplements:

The primary active ingredients in magnolia bark extract are magnolol and honokiol, biphenol compounds, which are thought to reduce stress and stress-related symptoms and inhibit cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone associated with stress and flight or fight responses, as well as weight gain, diabetes, and immunosuppression. The extract also contains eudesmol, an essential oil with possible antioxidant advantages. Antioxidants repair and prevent cellular oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to increased cell strength, increased immune function, and decreased risk of heart disease and cancer. The magnolia flower is sometimes used to treat sinus congestion and headaches.

Traditional medicine

Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis) is a traditional Chinese medicine used since 100 A.D. to support the body and nurture wellbeing and to treat a plethora of ailments.

Magnolia bark has been used to treat menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and gas, nausea, and indigestion. The bark is also an ingredient in formulas used for treating coughs and asthma. The bark is used internally in the treatment of abdominal distension, loss of appetite, gastro-enteritis, vomiting, diarrhoea, asthma and coughs with acute phlegm. The bark and flower buds of Magnolia officinalis have been used to treat coughs and colds and intestinal problems.

Treat halitosis

Magnolia bark extract is also used to treat halitosis, or bad breath, because of its antibacterial properties and fragrance. The antibacterial activity of the extract may also help to prevent tooth decay and is thought to kill most halitosis-associated oral bacteria within 30 minutes. Magnolol can also help prevent plaque build-up by inhibiting the enzyme glucotransferase. Some chewing gums and breath mints are manufactured with the extract to promote fresh breath and tooth health.

Weight loss

Magnolia bark extract can be used as a weight control supplement in certain circumstances. When a person is under stress, it sets in motion a hormonal chain reaction that results in a rise in cortisol. Cortisol is a hormone that exerts effects on a number of body functions. An article originally published in ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal, Cortisol Connection: Tips on Managing Stress and Weight, discusses how, in a long term stress situation, cortisol can contribute to weight gain. Magnolia bark can be used for an anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) purpose. The reduction in stress would, theoretically, reduce cortisol and contribute to weight loss.

Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's is a degenerative disorder that affects the proper function of the brain. It causes a variety of problems including dementia, loss of motor control, and eventually death. There a possible connection between Alzheimer's and insufficient production of acetylcholine in the brain. A study performed at the China Medical College in Taiwan, Honokiol and magnolol increased hippocampal acetylcholine release in freely-moving rats, indicates that Honokiol and magnolol (found in magnolia bark) can exert an increase in acetylcholine. This could indicate that magnolia bark may be helpful for Alzheimer's sufferers.

Antioxidant

Magnolia bark extract may also serve an antioxidant effect. Antioxidants are used to offset free radicals. Free radicals are molecules in the body that are missing an electron. They will steal electrons from other molecules and process resets which can lead to cellular damage. Antioxidants are molecules that can afford to lose an electron without becoming a free radical, effectively short-circuiting the process.

Leukemia

Broadly defined, cancer is a type of condition in which there is abnormal cellular growth that damages or destroys tissue and may spread. A study performed at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, Massachusetts, The natural product honokiol induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) cells, indicates that honokiol may be useful in treating lymphocytic leukemia. It does this by encouraging apoptosis, which is the technical term for programmed cell death.

Most of the magnolia bark is used domestically (within China) both for making decoctions and patent medicine pills. Crude magnolia bark is exported to Chinese communities abroad that use it in making decoctions, and to Western companies that make Chinese herb products in capsule and tablet form (typically with powdered magnolia or dried extract of magnolia). Also, magnolia bark from China, Taiwan, and Japan is used in making Kampo remedies: traditional formulas prepared as dried decoctions (granules). These are used mainly in Taiwan and Japan where they are used domestically, and a portion is exported to Western countries. Both single herb granules and formulas are produced, and most of the formulas are the ones from the Shanghan Lun and Jingui Yaolue, as outlined above (there are also a few additional formulas that have a larger number of ingredients that were not listed in that section).

Digestive system disorders

Magnolia bark is an ingredient in several patent remedies used for digestive system disorders and abdominal bloating and discomfort , such as Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan, Kang Ning Wan (Pill Curing), Bao Ji Wan (Po Chi Pill), Huoxiang Zhengqi Pian, and Shu Gan Wan.

Other

Japanese researchers have determined that "honokiol" and "magnolol", two chemicals found in Magnolia Bark, are up to 1000 times more potent than Vitamin E in antioxidant activity. These two active compounds are thought to contribute to the primary anti-stress and cortisol-balancing effects of the plant. Numerous animal studies have demonstrated honokiol to act as an anti-stress agent at lower doses. Magnolol, a compound isolated from the cortex of Magnolia officinalis, has been found to possess anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity.

Side effects and safety of Magnolia bark extract

Magnolia bark extract should not be used with any drugs that affect the central nervous system.

Dosage of Magnolia bark Extract supplement:

The usual dosage recommendation for magnolia bark in decoction is 3-9 grams . It is also powdered in formulas made in pill form, in which case the daily dose ingested is typically less than 1 gram. Since prolonged boiling of the bark may reduce the content of essential oils and biphenols, the decoction requires a higher dose than the powder that is ingested in pills.