Houpu magnolia
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
| Houpu magnolia Conservation status: Lower risk (cd) | ||||||||||||||
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| Magnolia officinalis |
Houpu magnolia, (Magnolia officinalis), is a decidious tree with medicinal properties native to the mountains and valleys of China. It grows to 22m in height with the broad, ovate leaves up to 45.72 cm long, notched at the apex. The white flowers appear from May to June.
Uses
The bark from M. officinalis has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as houpu. The highly aromatic bark contains magnolol and honokiol, two polyphenolic compounds that have demonstrated anti-anxiety and anti-angiogenic properties. Magnolia bark also has been shown to reduce allergic and asthmatic reactions. The bark is stripped from the stems, branches, and roots. Cultivated supplies today produce most of the bark for commercial and domestic use.
