Summary:
Magnolia bark, derived from the bark of the Magnolia officinalis tree, has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for its calming properties.* Recent scientific research has begun to explore magnolia bark as a potent natural supplement for supporting mental well-being and enhancing mood.* We will explore the science behind magnolia bark, its active compounds, and the benefits of incorporating it into your wellness routine.*
What is Magnolia Bark?
The bark of the Magnolia officinalis tree has been used for thousands of years for its health benefits. Modern science shows that the bark is rich in bioactive compounds, most notable honokiol and magnolol. Both constituents naturally occur together in the magnolia plant and are in fact structural isomers of one another. These have been studied for their benefits. Honokiol and magnolol may exert mood regulating and neuroprotective properties by modulating the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, such as GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid).*[1],[2],[3]
Magnolia Bark for Occasional Stress Relief*
Despite magnolia’s rich history of medicinal use, scientific literature contains relatively few clinical trials on magnolia bark performed on human subjects – though some do exist.
In one such study, 26 pre-menopausal women between the ages of 20 and 50 years took a combination of 250mg of magnolia and phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense) bark extracts or a placebo three times daily. The women who took the magnolia and phellodendron combination supplement were found to have greater relief of occasional stress and nervous tension than those who took placebo.*[4]
In another study of the same herbal supplement, the authors assessed the salivary cortisol levels and psychological mood reports of 56 subjects (35 men and 21 women) with self-reported moderate stress levels. After four weeks of supplementation with 500 mg of the extract per day, the salivary cortisol levels of those in the experimental group were significantly lower than of those in the placebo group.* Those who took the herbal supplement also reported lower subjective feelings of overall stress, tension, low mood, confusion, and low energy levels than those who received placebo.*[5]
The results of these studies underscore the benefit of Magnolia bark extract and Phellodendron bark extract for its ability to support a calming response to occasional anxiousness and stress response.*
Magnolia Bark for Better Sleep*
Magnolol and honokiol may have potential benefits for support sleep quality through its ability to mediate via the GABAergic system and the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1).*
Magnolol has been demonstrated to induce sleep by acting on the GABAA receptor. In animal studies, magnolol significantly shortened sleep latency and both non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep durations.[6]
Honokiol, on the other hand, has been shown in preliminary animal studies to impact by modulating the CB1 receptor.*[7] This may contribute to nervous system tone and relaxation.*
Magnolia Bark for Better Mood*
Magnolia bark extract may also be beneficial for enhancing mood, primarily through mechanisms involving brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) upregulation and serotonergic system normalization.*
Studies in animal models have demonstrated that magnolol may support mood and behaviors induced by persistent mild stress.* These studies found magnolol was able to increase BDNF expression and enhance the activity of the serotonergic system.*[8] Additionally, magnolol has been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and regulate cytokines, which may be factors to consider for improvement of mood.*[9]
In a study specifically assessing the effectiveness of magnolia bark tea consumption for 6 weeks on 143 women who had recently given birth, results found that magnolia bark tea significantly supported mood, emotional well-being, energy levels, and sleep quality based on subjective questionnaires when compared to the control group at both the three-week and six-week marks.*[10]
Magnolia bark, rich in bioactive compounds like honokiol and magnolol, has been used for centuries for its health benefits, including mood regulation and neuroprotection.* Recent studies suggest that magnolia bark, particularly when combined with phellodendron bark, can help alleviate occasional stress, reduce cortisol levels, improve sleep quality through interaction with the GABAergic system, and enhance mood by modulating neurotransmitter activity and upregulating BDNF.* These findings highlight its potential as a tool for stress relief, better sleep, and mood enhancement.*
The information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician or healthcare practitioner if you have specific questions before instituting any changes in your daily lifestyle including changes in diet, exercise, and supplement use.