Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Herb 5 of 8 in Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness

Warm Hou Po (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis)
Channels:
LI, LU, SP, ST
Properties:
Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic
Latin:
Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis
Chinese:
厚朴
Tone Marks:
hòu pò
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Chinese Herb Actions

  • Moves and Regulates Qi, Resolves Stagnation
    Abdominal, epigastric, and/or chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and a plum pit throat sensation.
  • Warms and Dries Damp
    For nausea, vomiting, distension, fullness in the abdomen and epigastrum, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and a turbid, greasy tongue coat.
  • Descends Qi, Calms Wheezing, Dissolves Phlegm
    For cough, wheezing and dyspnea with chest congestion and excess phlegm.

Chinese Herb Contraindications & Cautions

  • Use with caution during pregnancy
  • Use with caution in cases of Qi Deficiency

Herb-Drug Interactions

  • Hou Po contains magnolol, a mild anticoagulant. Caution should be used in patients taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants including; aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel(plavix), heparin, warfarin, and enoxaparin(Lovenox).

Chinese Herb Toxicity & Overdose

  • None Noted
  • Section not completed...

Chinese Herb Dosage

  • 3-10 grams in decoction 12
  • 3-9 grams in decoction 13

Chinese Herb Notes

  • Hou Po is noted both traditionally and in modern research as having different effects depending on the dosage size.
  • Hou Po stands out in its ability to treat fullness and accumulation in the form of constipation when compared to Cang Zhu.

Chinese Herb Clinical Studies & Research

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

References Used

The TCM information presented here has been referenced from numerous sources; including teachers, practitioners, class notes from Five Branches University, the following books, as well as other sources. If you have benefited from this information, please consider supporting the authors and their works by purchasing the books below.

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