Are you fascinated by the beautiful, fragrant blooms of magnolia? Did you know this tree’s bark has several health benefits? Right from treating inflammation to controlling blood pressure, this tree bark can benefit you in a number of ways.

Would you like to know more? Keep reading!

Magnolia – An Overview:

Magnolia is an ancient Chinese herb that has been used to treat ailments and diseases for centuries. It is a part of traditional Chinese medicine and has been used for mental disorders, coughs, colds and other illnesses.

Magnolia comes from the Magnoliaceae, plant family. Every part of the tree is useful, right from its flowers to its roots. Its timber is used for furniture, art, instruments, construction etc., but it is the bark that is highly sought after because it has numerous health advantages. It is available in the form of powder and extracts. The bark is picked, dried, steamed, rolled to form tubes, and then stored for further use. Honokiol and magnolol are two active compounds found in the bark that give it its healing qualities (1).

How can the magnolia bark help you?

1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Magnolia bark extracts in cosmetic creams can help reduce swelling of the skin and allow the redness to vanish completely. The anti-inflammatory properties of magnolia bark also help reduce inflammation in asthmatic patients. It encourages the body to produce adrenal steroids that subdue inflammation. The bark has also shown remarkable results in treating swelling from arthritis and bowel diseases.

2. Antioxidant:

The chemicals in the bark of the Magnolia officinalis are more powerful as antioxidants compared to regular Vitamin E. This characteristic is shown by honokiol in the tree’s bark. It can be used to treat a number of diseases and tumors. The chemical promotes the protection of mitochondria in the heart, as seen in vivo research conducted on rats.

3. Maintains Oral Health:

Bad breath can be a real embarrassment, especially if you have had liver or onions the previous night (2). If you suffer from regular bad breath, in general, despite the meals you consume or due to cavities, extracts from the magnolia bark can help you out. They are known to kill germs and reduce bad breath. These extracts in chewing gums and mints do not cover bad breath, but help reduce bacteria in the mouth to protect the gums and teeth.

 4. Prevents Cancer Growth:

A research at Jeonju University, Korea, tested magnolol extracts from different parts of the Magnolia officinalis, including the bark, on prostate cancer cells(3). It was observed that the extract stopped the cancer from advancing in any way. The multiplication of the cancerous cells was prevented. It has been just as effective in treating other cancers, like leukemia and colon cancer.

5. Antidepressant:

Magnolia bark extracts have qualities similar to antidepressants (4). They are capable of countering brain chemicals causing depression. Researchers of Nanjing University in China believe that the properties exhibited by these extracts are ideal for depression treatment.

6. Menopause:

The signs of menopause, like hot flashes, irritability, insomnia, depression, anxiety, loss of libido and vaginal dryness, can be countered by supplements containing magnolia bark. The medication worked best with magnolia bark rather than plain Vitamin D and calcium, according to the studies conducted and published in Minerva Ginecologicain 2006 (5).

7. Liver Protection:

Alcoholic liver disease is caused by the excessive consumption of alcohol on a regular basis. In that case, the liver converts the sugars from alcohol into fat and stores it as reserves. But too much of it can be damaging. It has been found that magnolia bark extracts are capable of reversing these effects.

8. Helps Alzheimer’s Patients:

Magnolia has the potential of assisting those with Alzheimer’s disease. The chemicals found in it protect brain cells and prevent any further deterioration. This could be due to the potency of the bark as an antioxidant.

9. Controls Anxiety:

The honokiol present in magnolia is good for anxiety (6). It works the same way as diazepam present in anxiety medications, like Valium. But unlike diazepam, the magnolia bark does not cause any of the unpleasant side effects.

10. Lowers Blood Pressure:

The chemical honokiol, when administered regularly, helps lower high blood pressure. This is achieved by its antioxidant and sedative effects. So, the bark is considered good for people diagnosed with elevated blood pressure.

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by Renold Rajan via STYLECRAZE