Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Chinese Herb Actions

Chinese Herb Dosage

• 3-10 grams in decoction ¹²
• 3-9 grams in decoction ¹³

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

• Use with caution during pregnancy
• Use with caution in cases of Qi Deficiency

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Hou Po contains magnolol, a mild anticoagulant. Caution should be used in patients taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants including; aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel(plavix), heparin, warfarin, and enoxaparin(Lovenox).

Western / Biomedical Research

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

Provided as research context — a summary of published biomedical study, not a therapeutic or medical claim.

• Inhibitory effects of magnolol on distal colon of guinea pig in vitro.
  Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Apr;29(4):790-5.
• Pharmacological effect of cortex Magnoliae officinalis on digestion system
  Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1997 Nov;22(11):686-8.
• Elucidating the inhibitory mechanisms of magnolol on rat smooth muscle cell proliferation.
  J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Dec;99(4):392-9. Epub 2005 Dec 7
• Effects of magnolol and honokiol derived from traditional Chinese herbal remedies on gastrointestinal movement.
  World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jul 28;11(28):4414-8.
• Anti-inflammatory effects of magnolol and honokiol are mediated through inhibition of the downstream pathway of MEKK-1 in NF-kappaB activation signaling.
  Planta Med. 2005 Apr;71(4):338-43.
• Magnolol stimulates lipolysis in lipid-laden RAW 264.7 macrophages.
  J Cell Biochem. 2005 Apr 1;94(5):1028-37.
• Cytotoxic neolignans: an SAR study.
  Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2005 Jan 3;15(1):163-6
• Magnolol and honokiol enhance HL-60 human leukemia cell differentiation induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and retinoic acid.
  Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Feb;37(2):427-41.
• Hou Po has been demonstrated to have several physiological effects including as an anticoagulant (1), CNS suppressant (2), gastrointestinal inhibitor (3), antihypertensive (4), respiratory (5), and antibiotic (6).
• Hou Po was shown to be effective in treating bloating following a hysterectomy (7).
  
  
  • 1. CA, 1988; 109:86013k
  • 2. Yao Xue Tong Bao, 1985; 20(9):522
  • 3. J. of Nat. Prod., 1991; 54(3):816
  • 4. Yao Jian Gong Zuo Tong Xun, 1980; 10(4):209
  • 5. Zhong Yao Xue, 1998; 320:323
  • 6. Planta Med., 1982; 44(2):100
  • 7. Xin Yi Yao Xue Za Zhi, 1973; 4:25

Chinese Herb Notes

• Hou Po is noted both traditionally and in modern research as having different effects depending on the dosage size.
• Hou Po stands out in its ability to treat fullness and accumulation in the form of constipation when compared to Cang Zhu.