In
the Southeastern United States, Magnolia trees are in bloom,
forming large white blossoms that eventually turn brown and
drop off, revealing an emergent central seed pod as big as
your fist. These beautiful trees (Magnolia grandiflora)
are part of the family Magnoliaceae that includes the Tulip
Tree, the Cucumber Tree and about 220 other species. Among
these species is Magnolia officinalis, the bark of
which has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for almost
2,000 years. In Jingning County in the Zhejiang Province of
China, Magnolia officinalis is cultivated on a large
scale, specifically for its use in TCM. The bark from the
trunk, branches and even roots is harvested for the valuable
herbal remedy known as Hou Po.
Hou
Po is used traditionally for treating digestive problems like
abdominal distention and diarrhea, and respiratory problems
like cough and asthma. It is a pungent, bitter, warm herb
that helps the digestive qi to move downward. It is one of
the best herbs in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia for treating digestive
gas, bloating, colic, and diarrhea; and because it dries and
resolves "dampness", it is great for lung problems
associated with excess mucus, wheezing and cough.
While
it is used as a single herb, it is often prescribed as part
of a therapeutic formula, because its effects are specific
and can be broadened or tailored to particular applications
with the use of helper herbs. For example, Hou Po is featured
in a popular formula Ban Xia Hou Po Tang, in which
it is combined with Pinella. It is effectively used
to treat "plumpit qi", a condition in which the
patient feels a lump like a plum pit stuck in the throat,
along with intestinal weakness associated with anxiety and
fear. Combining Hou Po with warming Ginger or antispasmodic
Peony Root enhances its digestive properties for particular
conditions. A Hou Po / Phellodendron combination has been
patented and is being promoted as a weight loss product because
the two herbs offset each other in the body, helping to balance
stress hormones.
Hou
Po contains several active constituents that are considered
to be important. Research on the herb has focused on two isomeric
biphenol compounds magnolol and honokiol, as
well as a triterpene essential oil called eudesmol. There
is also a small amount of alkaloids, among which are magnocurarine,
magnoflorine, anonaine, and salicifoline. While these alkaloids
contribute to the herb's effects, their contributions are
considered minor.
In
modern times, Hou Po has been the subject of many scientific
investigations. In pharmacological studies, the herb was found
to have anxiolytic (anxiety reducing) effects, to enhance
steroid production by the adrenal cortex, to inhibit fungal
and bacterial growth, to reduce pain and inflammation, and
to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain.
Anxiolytic
Effects
Of particular interest are the herb's anxiolytic effects.
In mouse studies, Hou Po was found to have strong anxiolytic
effects due to its honokiol content. In human clinical trials,
an anxiolytic effect was observed with Hou Po in a Kampo medicine
formula, an effect not achieved when honokiol was removed
from the formula.
In
other studies, honokiol was compared with diazepam (Valium),
a well known pharmaceutical anxiolytic. Honokiol was found
to be five times stronger than diazepam in reducing anxiety
without the side effects of diazepam. While Diazepam does
reduce anxiety, it also induces muscle relaxation, an effect
not shared by honokiol. Mice treated with Diazepam, but not
those treated with Honokiol exhibited withdrawal symptoms
characterized by hyperactivity after a 12 day treatment period.
In another study, the prolongation by diazepam of hexobarbital-incduced
sleep was not modified by honokiol. These results suggest
that honokiol is less likely than diazepam to induce physical
dependence, central nervous system depression, motor nerve
disruption, or amnesia at doses eliciting the anxiolytic effect.
Because honokiol reduces anxiety without disruption of motor
activity, it is postulated that the mechanism of the anxiolytic
effect of honokiol is at least partially different from that
of diazepam.
Acetylcholine
Effects
Magnolia has several powerful effects on acetylcholine levels
in the brain, offering potential benefits for victims of Alzheimer's
Disease. Alzeimer's Disease is characterized by insufficient
levels of acetylcholine accompanied by the buildup of amyloid
plaque in the brain, disrupting normal brain functioning.
Honokiol and magnolol, the biphenolic compounds in Hou Po,
have demonstrated to increase choline acetyltransferase activity,
inhibit acetylcholinesterase, promote potassium-induced acetylcholine
release and exhibit neurotrophic function in in vitro studies.
Choline acetyltransferase is an enzyme involved in the cellular
synthesis of acetylcholine, an increase of which can up-regulate
the production of acetylcholine necessary for proper brain
function. Acetylcholinesterase is an enzyme that breaks down
acetylcholine, the inhibition of which preserves available
acetylcholine. (For another acetylcholinesterase inhibitor,
please see our discussion on Huperzia
club moss.) Honokiol and Magnolol also exhibited neurotropic
effects in vitro, which could translate into enhanced brain
cell growth and reduced brain cell death in vivo.
Corticosteroid
Effects
Magnolol was found in studies to support the body's natural
production of adrenal steroids (corticosteroids) which suppress
inflammation. This anti-inflammatory effect is thought responsible
for alleviating the allergic inflammatory response in cases
of asthma. Increases in corticosteroids may be a concern for
those wishing to use Magnolia as a weight loss product, but
in a patented product combining the herb with Phellodendron
this effect was reversed, resulting in corticosteroid reduction,
and reduced cortisol-induced food cravings.
Topical
Uses
Magnolia
bark really shows its versatility as a topical agent. Product
developers should be aware of its significant potential in
such topical applications as dental care products and
analgesic muscle rubs.
The
compounds in Magnolia, possibly the biphenols and/or the eudesmol,
have been shown to have antimicrobial effects stronger than
even berberine against Streptococcus mutans, the bacteria
that causes dental caries. Studies demonstrated that at concentrations
as low as 6.3 micrograms per ml, constituents magnolol and
honokiol were effective against S. mutans and other
strains of bacteria. This suggests that Magnolia could be
a key ingredient in anti-cavity toothpastes, mouth rinses
or even dental floss.
For
analgesic muscle rub type products, Magnolia is a promising
ingredient, as constituent honokiol is an effective muscle
relaxing compound. Properly combined with an effective transdermal
delivery agent , safe, natural Magnolia extract could augment
topical rubs by soothing and relaxing tired, aching muscles.
In its carrier free extract form, the herb integrates well
into topical formulas.
Safety
In TCM, it is normal to prescribe dried whole Magnolia bark
in a dosage of 3 to 9 grams. For a 2% honokiol extract, the
recommended dosage is closer to the 400mg - 800mg per day
range. While the herb is safe at recommended dosages, there
is some toxicity at very high doses, principally due to small
amounts of its alkaloid constituent magnocurarine. Consequently,
Hou Po is recommended for women (as well as men), but is contraindicated
during pregnancy. Even so, the LD50 of the decoction is about
6g/kg which would be over a pound of extract for the average
adult.
Draco's
Magnolia officinalis Hou Po extract is a Full Spectrum
Standardized Herbal Extract™, standardized to 2%
honokiol. Please contact us for additional details.
NEWS:
New
Study Reports that Epimedium works like Viagra®
A
new study, published in the March, 2003 issue of the Asian
Journal of Andrology, reports that a flavonoid compound
found in Epimedium saggitatum promotes erection
by the same enzymatic mechanism as Viagra®. Epimedium
is an herb that has a long history of traditional use for
male sexual enhancement because of its ability to induce or
enhance penile erection. In China it is known as Horny
Goat Weed, because of the sexual behavior exhibited by
mountain goats after grazing on the herb.
The
in vitro study showed that a flavonoid compound found in Epimedium
inhibits an enzyme called PDE5, the identical biochemical
mechanism as that of sildenafil, the generic name for
the drug popularly known as Viagra®. Better yet, Epimedium,
taken in its full spectrum, water extracted form, is safer
and produces fewer side effects. Epimedium has a wide
range of constituents that balance the effects of the actives
in the body, a balance that may be disrupted if the herb is
extracted with the intent to separate or purify certain compounds.
A full spectrum water extracted Epimedium is both efficacious
and safe, especially for repeated use, and can be used without
a prescription.
Another
advantage of full spectrum Epimedium is a set of secondary
sexual enhancement effects not present in isolated compounds.
At least one study indicated that Epimedium is androgenic
and can boost levels of androgens in the body. In TCM, Epimedium
is used, not just to promote erection, but to enhance libido,
or sex drive, as well.
Draco's
Epimedium extract contains a Full Spectrum of plant
constituents and is standardized to 10% flavonoids.
Please call us at (408)287-7871 for
more details
©
Copyright 2003, Draco Natural Products, Inc.
All Rights Reserved.
Draco
Extracts Facts