MAGNOLIA

All the species of Magnolia trees possess similar therapeutic virtues, found especially in the bark & fruit.

The flower bud is used for treatment of sinus congestion & sinus headaches & is taken orally or applied topically.
Magnolia flower bud is used for stuffy nose, runny nose, common cold, sinus pain, hay fever, headache & facial dark spots.

Magnolia flower bud can be applied directly to the gums for toothaches.

Magnolia bark has antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antispasmodic, expectorant & anti-inflammatory properties.
The bark of Magnolia can be used to treat coughs & colds & intestinal problems.
Magnolia bark has been used to treat menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating & gas, nausea & indigestion, constipation.
The bark is used internally in the treatment of abdominal distension, loss of appetite, gastro-enteritis, vomiting, diarrhea, amoebic dysentery, bronchitis, colic, digestive disorders, nausea, rheumatism, typhoid, ulcers, vomiting.
It can be made into a douche for leukorrhea. Magnolia bark is also a common ingredient in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
Magnolia bark can be used as a muscle relaxant, to help reduce stress.
Magnolia bark may also help relieve shortness of breath, chest tightness & phlegm congestion that is associated with asthma.
Magnolia bark is good for  heart trouble, high blood pressure, intermittent fever, erysipelas & other skin diseases.

Tobacco habit can be cured by drinking magnolia bark tea.
The bark can be chewed as a substitute for tobacco in order to cure the habit.

As a mild diaphoretic, magnolia bark increases perspiration & sweating & can reduce fevers & cool the body.
It has been used in cases of malarial fevers & fevers of a typhoid type.

In the fight against obesity & weight management, Magnolia bark is an efficient fat burner, it can break down & liberate fat stored particularly in the abdominal & belly area.
Magnolia acts as a mild laxative.
In dyspepsia, with loss of tone in the stomach, it is very useful as a tonic.

Magnolia bark can help remove dampness from the body & improve digestion.

According to Chinese Medicine, it goes to meridians of spleen, stomach & large intestine.
Basic functions are activating qi to resolve stagnation, drying dampness & eliminating fullness & calming the adverse-rising qi to relieve asthma.
Prime magnolia bark uses & indications include food retention & qi stagnation, bloating & constipation, damp retention in middle-jiao, fullness in the abdomen, vomiting & diarrhea, reversed flow of qi due to phlegm congestion & chest fullness caused by dyspnea with cough.

PRECAUTIONS:

The tubocurarine & related substances in magnolia bark may cause respiratory paralysis.
It is also toxic to small children & infants, even in small doses.
Magnolia is contraindicated whenever inflammatory symptoms are present.
Large doses may cause vertigo.

This herb should not be taken together with beans because magnolia officinalis bark contains tannin while beans are rich in protein. These two ingredients would react & form non-digestible protein tannin.
In addition, due to both of them contain complex organic components, eating them together may lead to other adverse reactions, which may make beans harder to be digested, form gas & fill intestines & finally cause bloating.

Taking magnolia flower bud by mouth is unsafe during pregnancy. Magnolia can cause the uterus to contract & that might cause a miscarriage.

There is a concern that it might slow down the nervous system too much when combined with anesthesia & other medications used during & after surgery.
Magnolia might also slow blood clotting & cause bleeding during & after surgery.
Stop using magnolia at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Magnolia bark contains a substance called magnocurarine that can can have a sedative effect & which may significantly reduce your blood pressure when taken in large doses,it can numb your nerve endings, relax your muscles & bones & cause increased respiratory & heart rates.

RECIPES:

The bark is taken off during the spring & summer. Extract with water or alcohol.

A warm infusion acts as a gentle laxative & sudorific; a cold one as a tonic & antiperiodic, as does also the tincture & powder.

The tincture:

Add an 30 g of the powder to a 500 ml of brandy.
Allow to macerate for 10 -12 days.
Take 1 tbsp 3 times a day.

Decoction:

Use 1 tsp bark with 1 cup water.
Take 1 cup a day.

For external use, simmer 1 tbsp bark in 500 ml water for 10 minutes.

BEAUTY:

In rub-on skin care products, magnolia flower bud extract is used as a skin whitener.

MAGIC:

Magnolia is said to bring fidelity in love.
It eases restlessness & confusion & helps to maintain balance during difficult changes.
It also promotes a sense of freedom & relaxation.
Increases love & loyalty; reduces the power of addictions & obsessions.
Promotes psychic development.
Aids meditation & spiritual opening.
Promotes harmony, peace, tranquility.
Magnolia helps learning from past experiences & clarifies true identity.

Magnolia flowers need to be harvested at night, when their fragrance is most potent. The sweet, fruity fragrance of this flower is said to have magical aphrodisiac properties.

The whole leaves are sewn into the mattress as a faithful marriage conjuration.
Jealous wives have been known to add the leaves to a Mojo in which they conceal the "nine-knot measure" of their husband's nature.
This, they claim, will hoodoo his nature so he will be unable to perform for any other woman.

To ensure your lover’s fidelity, place Magnolia leaves under your bed.

For protection scatter the leaves around your home.
To protect your money put some leaves in your wallet.
If you’re worried about someone reading your journal, put a Magnolia leaf on the cover & it will remain untouched.