Use of Hou Pu (houpu magnolia bark) in TCM

Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.

Preparation: Scrape off the rough skin, wash, break into sections and dry.

Dosage: 3 - 9 grams

Main actions according to TCM*: Moves Rebellious Qi downward, dries Dampness and relieves Food Stagnation. Transforms Phlegm and redirects Rebellious Qi of the Lung.

Primary conditions or symptoms for which Hou Pu may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Abdominal pain Abdominal bloating Constipation Dyspnea Coughing Vomiting Diarrhea

Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by pregnant women or by those with Stomach or Spleen Deficiency.

Common TCM formulas in which Hou Pu is used*

Key TCM concepts behind Hou Pu's properties

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Hou Pu belongs to the 'Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness' category. This category of herbs resolves a TCM condition called 'Cold Damp Stagnation', especially as it affects the Stomach and Spleen. In modern medicine this often translates into symptoms such as distended chest and abdomen, lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting

As suggested by its category Hou Pu is Warm in nature. This means that Hou Pu tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Hou Pu can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.

Hou Pu also tastes Bitter and Pungent. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like Hou Pu tends to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing Heat, drying Dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Pungent ingredients tend to promote the circulations of Qi and Body Fluids. That's why for instance someone tends to sweat a lot when they eat spicy/pungent food.

The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Hou Pu is thought to target the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body. The Spleen on the other hand assists with digestion, Blood coagulation and Fluids metabolism in the body. The Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine.

Research on Hou Pu

Honokiol and magnolol, the main constituents identified in the barks of Magnolia officinalis, show a significant antimicrobial activity for periodontal pathogens. Hence they might have the potential to be an adjunct in the treatment of periodontitis. ¹

Honokiol and magnolol extracted from the barks of Magnolia officinalis have antidepressant-like effects in well-validated models of depression in rodents.²

Magnolol and honokiol , neolignane derivatives extracted from Magnolia officinalis, produced sedation, ataxia, muscle relaxation and a loss of the righting reflex. Magnolol and hõnokiol at a dose of 50 mg/kg suppressed spinal reflexes in young chicks in a similar manner, but with a much longer duration of action than mephenesin. These results suggest that magnolol causes a depression of the ascending activating systems as well as of the spinal cord.³

Sources:

1. Ho, K. , Tsai, C. , Chen, C. , Huang, J. and Lin, C. (2001), Antimicrobial activity of honokiol and magnolol isolated from Magnolia officinalis. Phytother. Res., 15: 139-141. doi:10.1002/ptr.736

2. Q Xu, LT Yi, Y Pan, X Wang, YC Li, JM Li et al. (2008). Antidepressant-like effects of the mixture of honokiol and magnolol from the barks of Magnolia officinalis in stressed rodents. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 32(3): 715-725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2007.11.020

3. K. Watanabe, H. Watanabe, Y. Goto, M. Yamaguchi, N. Yamamoto, K. Hagino (1983). Pharmacological Properties of Magnolol and Hōnokiol Extracted from Magnolia officinalis: Central Depressant Effects. Planta Med, 49(10): 103-108. DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-969825