Magnolia bark, Hou Po 厚朴

Hou Po (TCM)
Hara-Champa (Unani)
Magnolia denudatum
Kerner, Hortus sempervirens, 1812

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Botanical name:

Magnolia officinalis, M. officinalis, var. biloba
Magnolia denudata is used synonymously in Unani.

Parts used:

Bark

Temperature & Taste:

Warm, dry. Bitter, pungent

Classification:

J. Aromatics that Resolve Dampness

Uses:

1. Moves Stomach Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-epigastric and abdominal distention and fullness
-Cold-type Stomach or Abdomional pain
-nausea, poor appetite
-Food Stagnation

2. Moves the Qi, Clears Damp and Phlegm:
-distention, fullness, nausea, poor appetite from Damp obstruction with thick or greasy tongue coat
-phlegm obstructing the Chest or Stomach
-Damp-type Diarrhea and Dysentery; used for hot or cold types depending on the herbs its used with
-Turbid urine from excess Damp
-“facilitates the movement of Joints” (Da Ming)

3. Directs Qi Downward, Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Phlegm obstruction causing Coughing and Wheezing
-the downward effect on Qi was used for Convulsions traditionally

4. Clears Wind-Cold:
-Headache, Chills and Fever caused by Wind-Cold (Shen Nong Ben Cao)

5. Moves the Blood:
-“Removes Blood Stasis” (Zhen Quan)
-Retention of Lochia
-also for Postpartum disorders with Stagnation

6. Kills Worms:
-for the Three types of Worms (classical indication)

Dose:

Powder: 1–3 grams

Preparation:

… available in PRO version

Correctives:

… available in PRO version

Substitute:

… available in PRO version

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Main Combinations:

1. To warm the Stomach, clear Cold and Damp and move Qi: Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
2. Diarrhea:
i. Acute Cold-type Diarrhea, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
ii. Acute Heat-type Diarrhea, Dysentery Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
3. Stomach weakness with Damp and Qi stagnation, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis:
i. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
ii. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
iii. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
4. Damp obstructing the Stomach and Spleen, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
5. Qi stagnation with Phlegm obstruction, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
6. Epigastric distention and abdominal bloating, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
7. Abdominal distention with a fast pulse, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
8. Food Stagnation, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
9. Intestinal obstruction, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
10. Wheezing from acute Wind-Cold, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
11. Turbid Urine from Damp, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version

Major Formula:

Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Ping Wei San
Po Chai Pill
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui

Cautions:

1. Use cautiously during pregnancy. Some Traditional texts said it is prohibited during Pregnancy.
2. Overdose was said to consume Qi.

Main Preparations used: