Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis), of the Magnoliaceae family. Deciduous tree with large leaves and fragrant creamy flowers; native range: mountains of central and southern China; long cultivated for its bark. Globally recognized as hou po (厚朴) in Chinese, and houpu magnolia, magnolia bark in English. The part used is stem and root bark. Thick, curved bark, purple-brown within and rough without, breaking with an oily sheen; the taste is bitter and pungent with a warm, spicy, resinous aroma.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
MAGNOLIA BARK
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- magnolia bark
- Scientific name
- Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson
- Family
- Magnoliaceae
Form
- Part used
- stem and root bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- bitter · pungent
- Western
- aromatic · bitter · pungent
Temperature
TCM: warm
Western: warm
convergence: both {witness_count} witnesses converge — a warm, aromatic, tension-easing bark in each
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Spleen · Stomach · Lung · Large Intestine
- Western
- digestion · nervous system · lungs
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- moves qi, dries dampness, relieves distension and fullness, descends rebellious qi, transforms phlegm and calms wheezing
- Western
- aromatic bitter, carminative and antispasmodic, anxiolytic and mildly sedative through honokiol and magnolol
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy, and qi or yin deficiency without excess or dampness
Toxicity: generally safe; large doses may cause drowsiness
Interactions
- Western
- sedatives / CNS depressants: additive sedation via honokiol and magnolol
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.