Aidus & E-Fong Herbal Solution
Herbal Medicine for Dispelling Dampness - Hou Pu
                                     
                               
                              Hou Pu

                          Magnolia Bark
                Cortex Magnoliae Of ficinalis

This herb is the bark of the broadleaf tree , Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. (Family Magnoliacea) , mainly produced
in the provinces of Si Chuan, Zhe Jiang, Hu Bei, An Hui, and Shan  Xi. The bark is peeled off in late June, dried in
shade, steamed and rolled up, or it may be dried in sunlight after flattened, sliced or cut into shreds, stir-baked with
ginger juice for use.
Properties: Being pungent and bitter in flavour, warm in nature, it mainly acts on the spleen, stomach, lung, and large
intestine channels. The pungent flavour does on dispersion good at and the bitter flavour does on purging. As the
properties of warm and dryness, it is good at promoting Qi circulation; relieving dampness, relieving food stagnancy and
abdominal distension. So it is indicated for stagnation and fullness of the middle jiao, phlegm dampness retention in lung,
stomach and intestines with dyspnea, as well as food stagnancy in stomach and intestine, stagnation of Qi and abdominal
distension.
Effects: Eliminating dampness, resolving fullness, promoting Qi circulation, relieving food stagnancy, clearing away
phlegm and relieving asthma.
Indications:
1. For treating food retention in middle jiao, poor appetite, oppressive chest and greasy tongue coating, it is often used
in combination with Cang Zhu (atractylodes rhizome) and Chen Pi (tangerine peel) for augmentation of functions of
eliminating dampness and enhancing appetite and digestion.
2. For treating food and Qi stagnancy, abdominal distension, or constipation due to heat accumulation, it is used in
combination with the herbs for relieving stagnancy of indigested food, and abdominal distension, purging away heat and
relieving constipation, such as Da Huang (rhubarb), Zhi Shi (immature bitter orange).
3. For treating the excess of phlegm dampness in interior, phlegm stasis in airway, abundant expectoration, cough and
asthma, it is used in combination with the drugs for resolving phlegm, relieving cough and asthma, such as Zhi Ban Xia
(pinella tuber), Chen Pi (tangerine peel) and Ku Xin Ren (apricot kernel).
Dosage and Administration: 3~10g.
Modern Researches: The decoction of magnolia bark possesses antibacterial effects against diplococcus pneumoniae,
corynebacterium diphtheriae, hemolytic streptococci, shigella dysenteriae and staphylococcus aureus. It can act as
hypoensor and induce reflexine respiratory excitation and the heart rate. The curarine it contains may induce systemic
skeletal muscle relaxation.