AKA: Ch'Uan, Choon Pok, Houpu, Magnolia Officinal

The Houpu Magnolia is a type of magnolia tree that can be found in the mountains and valleys of China at 1000 to 3000 feet above sea level. It is a deciduous tree that  can get up to around 60 feet in height  which has thick brown bark that does not fissure.  It has broad ovate leaves and fragrant white flowers that appear from May to June. The bark of the tree has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for almost two thousand years used to help support the body and bring about a sense of well being.

Benefits and Uses  

• Helps in Weight Loss
• Lowers Stress Levels
• Alleviates Asthma
• May help in Alzheimer's

The bark is used to treat a wide array of ailments including menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, nausea and indigestion. It has also been used as an additive for cough and asthma treatments and the bark along with the flower buds have been used to treat colds, coughs and other intestinal problems including vomiting and diarrhea. However, what the bark has primarily been used for is to counteract stress, help with weight loss, and to alleviate allergic and asthmatic reactions.

The two main chemicals components thought to be responsible for magnolia bark’s medicinal qualities are honokiol and magnolol. Both are considered powerful antioxidants 1000 times more potent that Vitamin E  and  both are believed to help balance the cortisol levels in the body and help alleviate stress. Honokiol has been a subject of many animal studies and has demonstrated the ability to lower stress in small doses. Magnolol when islolated has been found to have anti-allergic and anti asthmatic activity.

Weight Loss

Magnolia Bark’s ability to lower the amount of cortisol in the body has made it a popular weight loss supplement. Cortisol is a stress related hormone that has been linked to weight gain in the abdominal areas as well as problems with sugar control, memory and other stress induced disorders. The Honokiol in magnolia bark helps limit the action of cortisol thus reducing stress, and stress related weight gain along with it.

Anxiety

Studies have found that honokiol is up to five times stronger than valium (diazepam) at reducing stress without the related side effects. Unlike valium, honokoil does not induce muscle relaxation and there is no evidence of physical dependence,  depression of the nervous system, disruption of the motor nerve function or amnesia, which are all side effects associated with a pharmaceutical anxiolytic along the lines of valium.

Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer’s disease is at least partially caused by insufficient levels of acetylcholine along with amyloid plaque buildup in the brain which disrupts normal brain functioning. In vitro studies have found that Honokiol and magnolol can  help promote the release of the enzyme: cholineacetyltranferase, which is involved  in the cellular synthesis of acetylcholine.' This action can help up-regulate the production of acetylcholine helping the brain function on a more efficient level. Honokiol and Magnolol have also displayed neurotropic effects which could translate into enhanced growth of brain cells and reduced brain cell death

coming soon....