How Magnolia Bark Extract affects sleep and health?

History

Magnolia Bark has been used for over 1,000 years as a folk medicine in Asia. In traditional Asian medicine, Magnolia Bark has been prescribed for treating acute pain, headaches, diarrhea, allergies, asthma, and gynecological disorders. It has also been used to treat fever, anxiety, nervous disorders, depression, muscular pain, abdominal fullness, constipation, and thrombotic stroke. In Chinese and Japanese folk medicine, Magnolia Bark has been used to treat bronchitis and emphysema.

How does magnolia bark work?

The bark of the magnolia tree contains several natural, bioactive compounds that function as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-allergic agents. Among most well-known and well-studied of these compounds are honokiol and magnolol. Magnolia bark works as an anxiolytic, helping to lower anxiety and depression and reduce stress. Magnolia bark can also act as a sedative, directly helping to facilitate sleep. (Of course, it’s anti-stress capabilities also help sleep, indirectly.)

Main Benefits:

1. Promotes better sleep
Magnolia bark extract is a great dietary supplement for promoting healthy sleep. In 2012, researchers showed that magnolia bark helps to induce sleep in animal tests. It works by binding to GABA receptors in your brain, lowering the time to fall asleep.

In another study, scientists showed that the other component of magnolia bark, honokiol, produced similar effects to magnolol. Magnolia bark may also help to reduce the time taken for you to fall asleep.

2. May help to reduce feelings of stress
Scientists have conducted numerous animal tests to help show that magnolia bark may be beneficial in reducing stress. Of course, ancient Chinese medical practitioners knew all about these effects long before we started doing our experiments. The ancient Chinese used magnolia bark extract to help with a number of ailments, including symptoms caused by emotional distress.

Animal studies have shown that magnolia bark has the potential to significantly reduce stress.Unfortunately, human studies usually use magnolia bark with other herbs, making it hard to determine whether the effects are from magnolia bark alone.

3. May improve cortisol levels
In 2013, researchers published a study in the Journal of International Social Sports Nutrition, showing that magnolia bark extract (combined with Phellodendron amurense) helped to reduce cortisol levels.

When your stress and anxiety levels decrease, so do your cortisol levels. So it’s only natural that a substance that reduces stress also helps to reduce cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’).

Cortisol is actually a very important hormone in our bodies. It helps to control your blood sugar levels, regulates your metabolism, reduces inflammation, and helps with maintaining healthy brain function.

However, chronic stress and anxiety mean that your cortisol is overused, and this can cause a number of psychological and physical problems. These include depression, digestive problems, headaches, and weight gain.

4. May help maintain healthy glucocorticoids
Natural steroids are important hormones in our bodies. They are especially important for reducing inflammation and in reducing the symptoms of asthma. Inflammation is responsible for a number of ailments as well as chronic pain.

Man running in Cape Town Magnolia bark may be beneficial for maintaining good health
In a number of animal studies, researchers have shown that magnolia bark extract has the potential to reduce inflammation and improve glucocorticoid levels. Although promising, these results don’t show for sure that magnolia bark can reduce inflammation in humans. More human studies are needed before this can be known for sure.

Magnolia bark extract recommended dosage

MBE is commercially available in the United States and throughout Europe. Dosage varies depending on the condition treated, with weight loss products containing MBE available mostly in powder form. As “a natural stress management supplement”,dosing recommendations include taking a 250mg-500mg per day. This dosage range may be effective at stimulating GABA receptors, reducing anxiety and stress, and improving sleep.
Magnolia bark side effects
Magnolia bark extract appears to be both safe and effective. However, it should not be used by those who are pregnant or nursing. Typical recommended dosages vary between 250 and 500 mg. Vertigo has been reported in higher dosages. If you need something to “take the edge off” this holiday season and want to be proactive about protecting your health through any stressful period in your life, Magnolia bark extract or a combination formula may be just what you are looking for. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen, especially if you have a health condition or take other medications or supplements.

Magnolia bark side effects

Magnolia bark extract appears to be both safe and effective. However, it should not be used by those who are pregnant or nursing. Typical recommended dosages vary between 250 and 500 mg. Vertigo has been reported in higher dosages. If you need something to “take the edge off” this holiday season and want to be proactive about protecting your health through any stressful period in your life, Magnolia bark extract or a combination formula may be just what you are looking for. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a supplement regimen, especially if you have a health condition or take other medications or supplements.