Stress & Sleep Support With Magnolia Bark Extract
The fragrant and flowering magnolia tree (Magnolia officinalis) is native to the mountains and valleys of China. The thick bark is stripped from the tree’s trunk, branches, and roots for use in traditional Chinese medicine. Known as “houpu,” magnolia bark strips can still be found in Chinese pharmacies today.
The pleasant fragrance of magnolia bark is due to phenolic compounds such as magnolol and honokiol and essential oils like eudesmol. Magnolol, honokiol, and eudesmol are also responsible for the physiologic effects of magnolia bark. Supplements containing magnolia are standardized to provide guaranteed amounts of these active compounds.
One traditional use of magnolia bark was for conditions associated with emotional distress, or “fright qi.” Magnolia bark is best known today for its ability to support a healthy stress response, a calm mood, and restful sleep.
SUPPORTING THE STRESS RESPONSE WITH MAGNOLIA BARK
One of the most commonly cited reasons to use magnolia bark extract is to support a healthy hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) response. Laboratory studies suggest that honokiol in magnolia bark helps modulate the release of epinephrine from the adrenal glands. Human studies have found that magnolia bark combined with phellodendron bark (Phellodendron amurense) supports a healthy circadian rhythm of cortisol release.
Magnolia bark has been shown to help modulate the stress response in several randomized, placebo-controlled trials. A four-week clinical trial of a combination of magnolia bark and phellodendron bark (Relora) found that the product supported healthy cortisol levels, energy, and mood in men and women with moderate stress. The same combination was evaluated in women between the ages of 20 and 50 who had stress-related eating habits, and was found to help regulate perceived stress and support healthy weight management.*
SUPPORTING SLEEP AND MOOD
Magnolia bark is also used to support calmness, relaxation and sleep. Several mechanisms of action have been discovered in animal models to explain these effects. Magnolol and honokiol bind to receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the central nervous system, helping augment GABA’s ability to support sleep and relaxation. Magnolol and honokiol also help activate cannabinoid receptors, which help support healthy mood and appetite.
When combined with ziziphus seed (Ziziphus spinosa), magnolia bark has shown in animal studies to interact with numerous receptors in the brain (including receptors for GABA, serotonin, and dopamine) in ways that are consistent with its ability to support relaxation and sleep. And when combined with phellodendron bark, magnolia bark has been shown in studies to calm temporary anxiety in postmenopausal women who have stress-related eating habits.
OTHER POTENTIAL BENEFITS
The active compounds in magnolia bark extract, magnolol and honokiol, have been extensively studied in animal and in vitro models. Preliminary evidence suggests that these compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier to exert a range of central nervous system effects. Other studies suggest that these compounds support brain health, skin health,and oral health. Honokiol and magnolol also promote cellular health.
SUGGESTED USE
The suggested use of magnolia bark extract ranges from 200 to 500 mg per day. You may see it coupled with other synergistic herbs such as epimedium (Epimedium koreanum) to support a healthy cortisol response, ziziphus seed (Ziziphus jujuba or Ziziphus spinosa) to support healthy sleep, or phellodendron bark (Phellodendron amurense) to support metabolic function and modulate response to occasional stress. Concentrated extracts of magnolia bark can be standardized to 90 percent honokiol, which is most often recommended to support relaxation, sleep, and cellular health.