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The Health Benefits of Magnolia

The magnolia plant is native to China and is commonly grown for its ornamental and fragrant flowers. The bark of the tree is mainly used for its health benefits. The bark can be boiled, steamed, dried, and then stored for later use. Supplements formulated with magnolia extracts can also be used for those who want to reap its benefits. The bark is purported to have a strong medicinal effect, and caution should be taken -- especially if on medication. Always consult with your doctor before using magnolia to treat a problem.

  1. Antidepressant Effects

    • The bark of the magnolia plant contains active chemicals called honokiol and magnolol; they work together to regulate and stabilize chemicals in the brain that are associated with stress, according to some studies. Researchers at the Nanjing University of China have noted that the bark of the magnolia plant contains high concentrations of the active chemical, allowing it to be a natural antidepressant.

    Liver Protection

    • According to the Japanese Pharmological Society, magnolia can alleviate the fatty deposits in the liver that stem from alcoholic liver disease. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause fatty deposits to form in the liver, making the liver inefficient in detoxifying the blood cells. The magnolol and honokiol work together to reportedly help release and dissipate the fatty deposits --comprehensively reversing the damage.

    Alzheimer's Disease

    • Alzheimer's disease is a disorder that affects the brain, resulting in dementia and loss of motor and cognitive skills. Acetylcholine, a chemical compound naturally found in the neurotransmitters of the central nervous system, is usually depleted in those suffering from degenerative illnesses. The antioxidants -- including honokiol and magnolol -- in magnolia bark are known to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain, according to some researchers. This can help slow down, and possibly ward off the onset of Alzheimer's.

    Weight Control

    • Magnolia may benefit those on a weight-control regimen. When a person is under constant stress, levels of cortisol, a hormone that increases blood sugar levels and abdominal fat, will spike in the bloodstream. Cortisol is a natural hormone released by the adrenal glands when a person is experiencing a "fight or flight" response. However, a high-stress lifestyle will force the body to constantly release the hormone, causing increased body fat percentages. Magnolia tea has anxiolytic properties, allowing the person to relax and diffuse, some believe. Theoretically, the reduced stress will reduce the levels of cortisol, contributing to a slimmer waistline.

    Antioxidant

    • Magnolia is rich in antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals in the body that can damage cells. Free radicals are defined as molecules sans electron, making it a free radical agent. They steal electrons from neighboring molecules, ultimately resulting in damaged cells. Magnolia's antioxidants can afford to lose an electron without transforming into a free radical, halting the free radical process.

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