This product is the dried bark, root bark, and branch bark of the deciduous tree Magnolia Bark (Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils.) or the concave-leaved Magnolia Bark (M. officinalis Rehd. et Wils. var. biloba Rehd. et Wils.) from the Magnoliaceae family. It is produced in Sichuan, Hubei, Anhui, and other regions. The bark is harvested from April to June. The root bark and branch bark are directly dried in the shade, while the trunk bark is briefly boiled in water and then piled in a damp, shaded area to "sweat" until the inner surface turns purplish-brown or brownish. It is then steamed until soft, rolled into a cylindrical shape, and dried. It is processed with ginger juice for use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, warm. act on spleen, stomach, lung and large intestine channels.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Moving qi, drying dampness, eliminating stagnation, calming panting.

bubble_chart Indications

1. is used for dampness obstruction in the middle energizer, qi stagnation leading to epigastric stuffiness, abdominal distension and fullness, abdominal pain, or vomiting and regurgitation. This product is bitter and drying, acrid and dispersing, and is particularly effective in moving qi, drying dampness, and resolving stagnation, making it an essential medicine for relieving distension and fullness. It is often used in combination with Atractylodes Rhizome, Dried Tangerine Peel, etc., such as in Stomach-Calming Powder.
2. For food retention in the stomach and intestines, epigastric distension and fullness, and severe constipation, this product lowers qi, relaxes the middle, and resolves stagnation and accumulation. It is often used with Jishi and Rhubarb Rhizoma, as in Magnolia Bark Three Ingredients Decoction. For heat accumulation constipation, it is combined with Rhubarb Rhizoma, Mirabilite, and Jishi, as in Major Purgative Decoction, to achieve the effects of clearing heat and purging the lower, and resolving stagnation and accumulation.
3. For phlegm-fluid retention causing wheezing and cough, this product can dry dampness and resolve phlegm, downbear counterflow and relieve panting. For chronic wheezing syndrome triggered by external contraction of wind-cold, it can be used with Cinnamon Twig, Bitter Apricot Seed, etc., as in Cinnamon Twig plus Magnolia Bark and Apricot Decoction. For phlegm-dampness obstructing internally, causing chest stuffiness, wheezing, and cough, it is often used with cultivated purple perilla fruit, tangerine peel, etc., as in Perilla Fruit Qi-Descending Decoction.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Bielu: "Dispersing phlegm and lowering qi, treating cholera and abdominal pain and distension."
2. Bencao Gangmu quotes Wang Hao-gu: "Treating lung qi distension, swelling, and wheezing cough."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Decoct and take 3-10g.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

Magnolia Bark contains magnolol, tetrahydromagnolol, isomagnolol, and volatile oils, as well as magnocurarine.

• Magnolia Bark decoction has inhibitory effects on pneumococcus, diphtheria bacillus, hemolytic streptococcus, Bacillus subtilis, Shigella and Shigella dysenteriae, and Staphylococcus aureus.
• For the intestines, small doses cause excitation, while large doses cause inhibition.
• It also has an excitatory effect on the bronchi.
• Magnocurarine in Magnolia Bark can paralyze motor nerve endings, causing systemic skeletal muscle relaxation; it has a hypotensive effect, and the drop in blood pressure reflexively causes respiratory excitation and increased heart rate.

bubble_chart Supplementary Medicinals

Officinal magnolia flower: The flower bud of Magnolia Bark. It has a pungent and warm nature. Functions as an aromatic herb to resolve dampness and move qi, relieving chest tightness. Used for abdominal distension, fullness, and pain due to dampness obstruction and qi stagnation. Dosage: 3-6g.