Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Herb 5 of 8 in Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness

Channels:

LI, LU, SP, ST

Properties:

Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic

Latin:

Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis

Chinese:

厚朴

Tone Marks:

hòu pò

Chinese Herb Actions

• Moves and Regulates Qi, Resolves Stagnation
  Abdominal, epigastric, and/or chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and a plum pit throat sensation.
• Warms and Dries Damp
  For nausea, vomiting, distension, fullness in the abdomen and epigastrum, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and a turbid, greasy tongue coat.
• Descends Qi, Calms Wheezing, Dissolves Phlegm
  For cough, wheezing and dyspnea with chest congestion and excess phlegm.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

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

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).

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

• None Noted
• Section not completed...

Chinese Herb Dosage

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

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.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

• 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.

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• 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

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

• Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
• Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
• Da Yuan Yin (Reach the Membrane Source Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Harmonize Lesser Yang-stage Disorders
• Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang (Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle)
  Category: Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
• Huang Long Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
• Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)
  Category: Formulas that Transform Damp Turbidity
• Ju He Wan (Tangerine Seed Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
• Lian Po Yin (Coptis and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat
• Ma Zi Ren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Moisten the Intestines and Unblock the Bowels
• Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder)
  Category: Formulas that Transform Damp Turbidity
• San Ren Tang (Three Nut Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat
• Shi Pi Yin (Bolster the Spleen Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Warm and Transform Water and Dampness
• Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Fruit Decoction for Directing Qi Downward)
  Category: Formulas that Direct Rebellious Qi Downward
• Wu Ji San (Five Accumulation Powder)
  Category: Formulas that Release Exterior-Interior Excess
• Xiang Ru San (Elsholtzia Powder)
  Category: Formulas that Release Exterior Cold
• Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction)
  Category: Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
• Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan (Immature Bitter Orange Pill to Reduce Focal Distension)
  Category: Formulas that Reduce Food Stagnation
• Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan (Separate and Reduce Fullness in the Middle Pill)
  Category: Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat