Magnolia

Magnolia

What is it?

• Magnolia is an herb, traditionally used in Chinese medicine. The flower and the bark of the herb exhibit different functions. The bark is mainly used to relieve symptoms of anxiety, depression, or improve diabetes and the flower is used for congestion or sinus headaches.

How it works in the body?

• Magnolol and honokiol are the active compounds of Magnolia, they can possibly reduce inflammation.

Evidence for and against:

• DM: More research in humans is crucial to prove the clinical effect of magnolia on diabetes. In mice studies, magnolia may have an effect on regulating crucial transporters of insulin production which then decreases blood glucose levels.

• Depression: In rats, the active compounds of magnolia bark, have been shown to regulate corticosterone levels and platelet adenylyl cyclase which are both markers of depression.

• Anxiety: In mice, honokiol may stimulate GABA-A receptors which can decrease anxiety.

• Cancer: Magnolia bark has been shown to decrease/inhibit many pathways of cancer cell expression via binding to receptors/regulatory proteins. Congestion/headaches: The flower of magnolia may be used for relieving symptoms of congestion or sinus headaches.

Interactions with medications:

• Honokiol may inhibit the action of the following drugs by inhibiting or altering crucial enzymes.

  • CYP450 substrates.

  • UDP-glucuronosyltransferases.

  • P-Glycoprotein substrates.

• Because magnolol can show antiplatelet activities, it can increase the risk of bleeding when taking antiplatelet agents.

• Lab studies showed that magnolia bark extract can be used as an anti-diabetic agent by lowering blood glucose levels.

• Magnolia bark extract and honokiol may increase the effects of benzodiazepines.

Safety concerns, side effects, and precautions:

• Magnolia can cause contact dermatitis.

• Magnolia should not be taken with sleep, anxiety, diabetic medications, or blood thinners as it can increase the effects.

Dosage:

• Dosage of the Magnolia bark extract varies from 200 to 800 mg/day.

• Higher manganese supplementation, requires more calcium and phosphorus ingestion as they all work together in the body.

• When supplementing manganese orally, side effects are rare. Toxicity can occur if an individual is routinely exposed to manganese vapors or in those receiving intravenous nutrition (containing Mn) for an extended period of time.

• Toxicity symptoms include: hallucinations, appetite loss, headaches, uncontrolled muscle movements, extreme irritability, and leg cramps or muscle stiffness.

Interactions with medications:

• When taking Haloperidol with Mn in individuals with liver disease, hallucinations, and behavioral disturbances may occur. Antipsychotics could worsen side effects of Mn supplementation. Some blood pressure medications may decrease serum manganese levels.

• Antacids or laxatives containing magnesium can lessen the effectiveness of manganese supplementation. It may be beneficial to separate intake of magnesium and manganese by-1-2 h.

• Certain antibiotics and manganese can interfere with each other's absorption (i.e., tetracycline and quinolone). It may be beneficial to separate intake of the antibiotic and manganese by-1-2 h.

Dosage:

• Manganese supplementation should not exceed 10 mg/day. The Al for men older than 19 is 2.3 mg and for women older than 19 is 1.8 mg.