"The Kidneys rule Water and Water Metabolism"

Do you use this site? Please help keep this site alive and support Chinese Medicne!

Herb Documents

Properties & Channels

Drug Interactions

Incompatible Herbs

Toxic or Endangered

Latin Name Notes

Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

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

Channels:
LI, LU, SP, ST

Properties:
Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic

Latin Name:
Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis

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.

Contraindications and 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).

Toxicity and Overdose

None Noted

Dosage

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

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.

Clinical Studies and Research

Inhibitory effects of magnolol on distal colon of guinea pig in vitro.
Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Apr;29(4):790-5.
Pharmacological effect of cortex Magnoliae officinalis on digestion system
Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1997 Nov;22(11):686-8.
Elucidating the inhibitory mechanisms of magnolol on rat smooth muscle cell proliferation.
J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Dec;99(4):392-9. Epub 2005 Dec 7
Effects of magnolol and honokiol derived from traditional Chinese herbal remedies on gastrointestinal movement.
World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jul 28;11(28):4414-8.
Anti-inflammatory effects of magnolol and honokiol are mediated through inhibition of the downstream pathway of MEKK-1 in NF-kappaB activation signaling.
Planta Med. 2005 Apr;71(4):338-43.
Magnolol stimulates lipolysis in lipid-laden RAW 264.7 macrophages.
J Cell Biochem. 2005 Apr 1;94(5):1028-37.
Cytotoxic neolignans: an SAR study.
Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2005 Jan 3;15(1):163-6
Magnolol and honokiol enhance HL-60 human leukemia cell differentiation induced by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and retinoic acid.
Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2005 Feb;37(2):427-41.

Hou Po has been demonstrated to have several physiological effects including as an anticoagulant (1), CNS suppressant (2), gastrointestinal inhibitor (3), antihypertensive (4), respiratory (5), and antibiotic (6).
Hou Po was shown to be effective in treating bloating following a hysterectomy (7).
- 1. CA, 1988; 109:86013k
- 2. Yao Xue Tong Bao, 1985; 20(9):522
- 3. J. of Nat. Prod., 1991; 54(3):816
- 4. Yao Jian Gong Zuo Tong Xun, 1980; 10(4):209
- 5. Zhong Yao Xue, 1998; 320:323
- 6. Planta Med., 1982; 44(2):100
- 7. Xin Yi Yao Xue Za Zhi, 1973; 4:25

This Herb Appears in the Following Formulas:

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang (Pinellia and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
Da Cheng Qi Tang (Major Order the Qi Decoction)
Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
Da Yuan Yin (Reach the Membrane Source Decoction)
Formulas that Harmonize Lesser Yang-stage Disorders
Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang (Magnolia Bark Decoction for Warming the Middle)
Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
Huang Long Tang (Yellow Dragon Decoction)
Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San (Agastache Powder to Rectify the Qi)
Formulas that Transform Damp Turbidity
Ju He Wan (Tangerine Seed Pill)
Formulas that Promote the Movement of Qi
Lian Po Yin (Coptis and Magnolia Bark Decoction)
Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat
Ma Zi Ren Wan (Hemp Seed Pill)
Formulas that Moisten the Intestines and Unblock the Bowels
Ping Wei San (Calm the Stomach Powder)
Formulas that Transform Damp Turbidity
San Ren Tang (Three Nut Decoction)
Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat
Shi Pi Yin (Bolster the Spleen Decoction)
Formulas that Warm and Transform Water and Dampness
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang (Perilla Fruit Decoction for Directing Qi Downward)
Formulas that Direct Rebellious Qi Downward
Wu Ji San (Five Accumulation Powder)
Formulas that Release Exterior-Interior Excess
Xiang Ru San (Elsholtzia Powder)
Formulas that Release Exterior Cold
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang (Minor Order the Qi Decoction)
Formulas that Purge Heat Accumulation
Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan (Immature Bitter Orange Pill to Reduce Focal Distension)
Formulas that Reduce Food Stagnation
Zhong Man Fen Xiao Wan (Separate and Reduce Fullness in the Middle Pill)
Formulas that Clear Damp-Heat

References

Herbs

13. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica (Revised Edition)
- Dan Bensky

25. Lancet 2000 January 8;355(9198):134-138 (Article)
- Fugh-Berman A.

17. Handbook of Chinese Herbs (Second Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

12. Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology (First Edition)
- John K. Chen, Tina T. Chen

26. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals (Third Edition)
- Max Wichtl

Formulas

15. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas and Strategies (First Edition)
- Dan Bensky

18. Handbook of Chinese Herbal Formulas (First Edition)
- Him Che. Yeung

16. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Formula Study Guide (First Edition)
- Qiao Yi

Only use Chinese herbs or formulas under the direct care and supervision of a licensed Acupuncturist/Herbalist.
Some of the substances included on this website are no longer used, and are included for historical reference only.