Magnolia Bark (Hou Po)

厚朴

Magnolia bark (Houpo)

Pharmaceutical Name: Cortex Magnoliae officinalis

Botanical Name: 1. Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et wils.. 2. Magnolia officinalis Rhed. et Wills. var. biloba Rhed. et Wills.

Common Name: Magnolia bark

Source of Earliest Record: Shennong Bencao Jing

Part Used: Between April and June, the bark is peeled off and dried in the shade. After a process of boiling, piling, steaming and drying, the herb is ready for use.

Natural Properties & Taste: Bitter, pungent and warm

Meridians: Spleen, stomach, lung and large intestine

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To promote qi circulation.
2. To dry dampness.
3.To descend rebellious qi and relieve asthma.

4. To resolve retention of food.

Indications:
1. Disharmony of spleen and stomach due to stagnation of dampness and retention of food manifested as epigastric distension and fullness. Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Atractylodes rhizome (Cangzhu) and Tangerine peel (Chenpi) in the formula Pingwei San. If dampness blocks the spleen and stomach causing retention of food, abdominal distension and pain and constipation, Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Rhubarb (Dahuang) and Immature bitter orange (Zhishi) in the formula Da Chengqi Tang.

2. Cough and asthma. Magnolia bark (Houpo) is used with Apricot seed (Xingren) in the formula Guizhi Jia Houpo Xingzi Tang.

Dosage: 3-10 g