Magnolia Bark (2% Honokiol)

History and Uses:
For the most part, the genus and species, Magnolia glauca, is North American, where it was originally included in many herbal remedies of the Native Americans. The large Magnolia family of trees also includes several species that are native to China and Japan (Magnolia officinalis, Magnolia hypoleuca, etc.), where it has been an important part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for over two thousand years. The beautiful flowers have been considered a symbol of purity for thousands of years, and in ancient times, this herb was favored for increasing longevity, brightening the eyes and making the body feel light. The parts of this herb used medicinally include the bark, and the unopened flower buds (which act as a decongestant). The bark of Magnolia is being researched as an agent against amoebic dysentery and has also been used to break addiction to cigarettes. The primary properties of Magnolia Bark are analgesic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, hypotensive and stimulant. The Japanese use Magnolia to help control stress and anxiety, and researchers in Japan have determined that honokiol and magnolol, two chemicals found in Magnolia Bark, are up to a thousand times more potent than Vitamin E in antioxidant activity. The bark also contains isomagnolol, essential oils (eudesmol, maschilol, pinene), alkaloids (magnoflorine, salicifoline, magnocurarine) and tannin. Magnolia has several known topical usages including its use as a douche (made from the bark) for leukorrhea. In Central America, Magnolia schiedeana is used topically as a poultice for scorpion stings.