Magnolia Bark
Commonly used for
SleepStress
Where to Buy
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The cheapest product is usually low quality, but more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
What is it? / Overview
Honokiol and magnolol act as positive allosteric modulators at GABA-A receptors and have anti-inflammatory activity, supporting anxiolytic and sedative effects in animal models -- but human efficacy has only been shown in multi-ingredient formulas, so magnolia's specific contribution alone is unproven.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Magnolia officinalis bark extract standardized to honokiol and magnolol, often combined with Phellodendron (e.g. Relora)
Typical dose studied: Combination-product doses vary (e.g. ~250 mg 2-3x/day) -- no validated standalone dose
Timing: Evening for sleep; divided doses for daytime stress
Human data are combination-only (with Phellodendron) -- efficacy of magnolia bark alone is not independently established.
How well does it work? / Evidence
? Emerging / limited evidence
Who should avoid it?
Avoid with: Breastfeeding; Bleeding disorder / Coagulopathy
Interacts with: Benzodiazepines, alcohol, other CNS depressants -- theoretical additive sedation; Anticoagulants, antiplatelets -- theoretical additive bleeding risk (honokiol has antiplatelet activity preclinically)
Already taking it? Reasonable to continue if helping -- human efficacy data exist only for combination products (with Phellodendron), so magnolia bark's individual contribution is unclear.
Research & references
Savage K et al. (2018). GABA-modulating phytomedicines for anxiety: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Phytotherapy Research. Ham HJ et al. (2020). Anxiolytic-Like Effects of the Ethanol Extract of Magnolia Obovata Leaves Through Its Effects on GABA-benzodiazepine Receptor and Neuroinflammation. Behavioural Brain Research.
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