- Aromatic description
- Magnolia is actually a broad term that encompasses more than 200 different species within the Magnoliaceae family of flowering plants. Native to East and Southeast Asia, particularly China, this ancient type of flower has been around for more than 100 million years, predating even the evolution of bees. Some types of magnolia are also endemic to the eastern North America, Central America, and parts of South America. The hardy nature of the shrubs and trees on which these flowers grow have allowed it to survive and thrive in harsh conditions over so much evolutionary time, and it has developed a unique nutrient and organic compound composition over that time as well, representing potentially powerful health benefits for humans.
- General
- The flowers and bark of magnolia plants have been praised for their multiple medicinal applications, some of which are based in traditional medicine, while others have been revealed through modern research into the precise chemical components of the flower, its extracts, and the composition of the bark. Magnolia has long been praised in Chinese traditional medicine, but is now widely regarded as a beneficial supplement or herbal remedy around the world. Now, let’s take a closer look at the many health benefits of magnolia.
- Aromatherapy class
- The scent of the magnolia flower, from the beginning, has intoxicated humans with its lightly vanilla and lemony perfume. The fragrance of the magnolia flower is delicate, and sweet. It’s an uplifting aromatic that can relieve depression and reduce anxiety. Mystics have used the fragrance to open up the heart meridians and strengthen the root, naval, and heart chakra centers.
- Attributes & characteristics
- Magnolia essential oil is potent! It contains 63 separate phytochemical components and these molecular extracts have antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, and antiseptic capabilities. Magnolia essential oil can be used to treat allergies, asthma, and respiratory infections. Use it in a humidifier to put the healing vapors into the air. Or, put a few drops in a carrier oil and use the magnolia in a massage treatment to lower fever, take the heat out of rheumatic aches, and relax the muscles.
- Traditional uses
- Some of the most impressive health benefits of magnolia include its ability to treat menstrual cramps, improve respiratory health, detoxify the body, boost cognition, prevent cancer, soothe the digestive system, stimulate the appetite, reduce stress, and protect against severe allergic reactions.
- The bark of magnolia trees can be peeled from the tree, boiled, rolled, steamed, and allowed to dry into an herbal supplement or tincture. This bark-derived herb has been linked to preventing certain types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. One of the active compounds in magnolia, magnolol, is able to prevent the spread or increase of prostate cancer cells. Although research is in its early stages, many experts believe that magnolia bark extracts can also exert beneficial effects in terms of preventing/treating leukemia and colon cancer.
- Magnolia has long been used to relieve certain respiratory conditions, including bronchitis, coughing, excess phlegm, and even asthma. Asthma is a particularly challenging respiratory condition to treat, and typically requires the use of a steroid inhaler. However, magnolia naturally stimulates the corticosteroids in the body to respond to conditions like asthma, thereby relieving that inflammation and preventing asthmatic attacks.
- One of the reasons that magnolia has gotten so much press in recent years is its bark’s active compounds’ ability to mimic cortisol, the stress-hormone reducing factor in our body. By acting as cortisol, magnolia can also help the body control its release and management of blood sugar, effectively helping to prevent the development of diabetes. If you already suffer from diabetes, then magnolia can keep your blood sugar levels stable and help you avoid any diabetic episodes.
- Although magnolia bark can actually increase weight by stimulating food cravings due to its corticosteroid nature, regular magnolia supplements can help to suppress appetite, which can help anyone trying to lose weight and avoid snacking in between meals. Be sure you speak to a professional herbalist or alternative medical professional to get the best advice on which parts of magnolia would best serve your needs.
- Effects on the skin
- Magnolia extracts and supplements are extremely powerful, so it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women, nor in large doses, as it is known to cause vertigo, dizziness, and headaches. Magnolia bark contains high concentrations of chemicals and can cause respiratory paralysis in animals or infant children, so should be avoided in those situations.