What Is the Difference Between Magnolia officinalis Flower and Magnolia officinalis Bark? A Clear Guide

Magnolia officinalis is a Chinese medicinal herb that can be taken together with Coptis chinensis, Ophiopogon japonicus and others. It has the effects of lowering blood pressure, resisting allergies and inhibiting skin tumors, and the whole plant can be used. So what is the difference between Magnolia officinalis flower and Magnolia officinalis bark?

1. What is the difference between Magnolia officinalis flower and Magnolia officinalis bark?

The difference between Magnolia officinalis flower and Magnolia officinalis bark is that Magnolia officinalis flower is the unopened flower bud of the Magnolia officinalis tree. Its nature and flavor are the same as those of Magnolia officinalis bark, but its medicinal power is relatively weak, and it has a fragrant aroma. Magnolia officinalis bark is the bark of the magnolia family plant Magnolia officinalis. It is pungent in flavor and warm in nature, and has the effects of directing qi downward and relieving fullness, drying dampness and resolving phlegm. It is suitable for food stagnation. Under certain circumstances, the two can be used interchangeably.

2. What are the effects of Magnolia officinalis?

1. Directing qi downward and calming asthma

Magnolia officinalis has the effect of directing qi downward and calming asthma. When people have persistent coughing, or people who are often engaged in physical labor develop a cold and then cough continuously and experience symptoms of being unable to catch their breath, taking Magnolia officinalis can relieve the symptoms of persistent coughing and excessive phlegm stuck in the throat. It can be used in combination with bitter apricot seed, dried ginger, Schisandra chinensis, Ephedra sinica and Pinellia ternata for treatment.

2. Promoting qi flow and resolving dampness

Magnolia officinalis also has the effect of promoting qi flow and resolving dampness, and it can relieve symptoms of long-term dry throat and dampness-stagnation colds. This is especially true for people who have caught a cold and live in places with very heavy dampness, as they will have such symptoms. Once they start coughing, it is very uncomfortable. If not treated in time, symptoms of excessive phlegm will appear, and over time this can involve head pain and a feeling of stuffiness in the chest. We can decoct Magnolia officinalis together with herbs such as Agastache rugosa and take it.

3. Abdominal distension and constipation

Magnolia officinalis has the effect of directing qi downward and soothing the middle, and it is beneficial for treating symptoms such as constipation, stomach distension and abdominal bloating. For some patients who have constipation and at the same time strong internal heat, it can reduce the heat, dissolve the fire toxin accumulated in the body, and after several courses of treatment, one can feel that the intestinal bloating has improved greatly, the intestines are much smoother, and the pain during bowel movements is reduced.

4. Inhibiting skin tumors

Magnolia officinalis contains a substance called magnolol. Magnolol is a methanol extract, and this substance can inhibit the early-stage proliferation speed and spread of cancer cells in the human body, prevent cancer cells from gathering together to form malignant tumors, stimulate the operation of hematopoietic cells, promote blood circulation, and make the speed of dissolving tumor cells faster.

5. Lowering blood pressure and resisting allergies

Magnolia officinalis has the effect of lowering human blood pressure and keeping blood pressure at a very stable level. In addition to lowering blood pressure, it can also play an anti-allergy role. This can have a certain effect on many kinds of allergic symptoms, and it is very helpful for common skin allergies, but for some people's seafood allergies, the effect is not so obvious. So patients with skin allergies can use it.