What is Magnolia Bark Extract ?
Native to China, the bark of Magnolia is being researched as an agent against amoebic dysentery. The beautiful flowers have been considered a symbol of purity for thousands of years. 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. The unopened flowers, not bark, are a decongestant and can be used for nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinus headaches, and sinusitis. The flower buds open nasal obstructions by helping the body expel mucus. The bark has 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. 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. The bark also contains isomagnolol, essential oils (eudesmol, maschilol, pinene), alkaloids (magnoflorine, salicifoline, magnocurarine), and tannin. The unopened flower buds contain essential oils (anethole, camphene, cineol, estragole, eugenol, limonene, pinene, safrole), alkaloids, and beta carotene. 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. In general, bark is harvested from Magnolia officinalis, while the unopened flower buds are from Magnolia liliflora. The common name Magnolia also includes the species Magnolia glauca and Magnolia grandiflora.