Magnolia Bark (Hou Po) Cautions

[tcmgpt13]

Hou Po (Magnolia Bark)

Herb 5 of 8 in Aromatic Herbs that Transform and Dissolve Dampness

Channels:
LI, LU, SP, ST

Properties:
Bitter, Spicy, Warm, Aromatic

Latin:
Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis

Chinese:
厚朴

Tone Marks:
hòu pò

Actions

• Moves and Regulates Qi, Resolves Stagnation
  Abdominal, epigastric, and/or chest fullness, bloating, loss of appetite, poor digestion, constipation, and a plum pit throat sensation.
• Warms and Dries Damp
  For nausea, vomiting, distension, fullness in the abdomen and epigastrum, decreased appetite, diarrhea, and a turbid, greasy tongue coat.
• Descends Qi, Calms Wheezing, Dissolves Phlegm
  For cough, wheezing and dyspnea with chest congestion and excess phlegm.

Contraindications and Cautions

• Use with caution during pregnancy
• Use with caution in cases of Qi Deficiency

Herb-Drug Interactions

• Hou Po contains magnolol, a mild anticoagulant. Caution should be used in patients taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants including; aspirin, dipyridamole, clopidogrel(plavix), heparin, warfarin, and enoxaparin(Lovenox).

Toxicity and Overdose

• None Noted

Dosage

• 3-10 grams in decoction 12
• 3-9 grams in decoction 13

Notes

• Hou Po is noted both traditionally and in modern research as having different effects depending on the dosage size.
• Hou Po stands out in its ability to treat fullness and accumulation in the form of constipation when compared to Cang Zhu.