More than 200 types of magnolia trees exist worldwide.
One type — Magnolia officinalis — is commonly called the houpo magnolia, or sometimes simply “magnolia bark.”
The houpo magnolia tree is native to China, where it has been used for thousands of years as a supplement in traditional Chinese medicine.
Though the use of magnolia bark is common in traditional Chinese medicine, you may wonder what current research says about the tree bark.
Typically, magnolia bark is bark of the houpo magnolia tree that has been stripped away from it branches and stems to make supplements.
The leaves and flowers from the tree are sometimes used as well.
The bark is particularly rich in two neolignans that are believed to be responsible for its medicinal properties — magnolol and honokiol,Neolignans are a type of polyphenol micronutrient in plants. Polyphenols are highly valued for their antioxidant levels and believed to offer many health benefits.
Some of the conditions that magnolia bark has traditionally been used to treat include asthma, anxiety, depression, stomach disorders, and inflammation
Magnolia bark have the following functions:
1.May protect against the effects of oxidative stress and inflammation
2.May have anticancer properties
3.May relieve stress and anxiety
4.May improve sleep
5.May improve symptoms of menopause