Magnolia bark, Hou Po 厚朴
Hou Po (TCM)
Hara-Champa (Unani)
Botanical name:
Magnolia officinalis, M. officinalis, var. biloba
Magnolia denudata is used synonymously in Unani.
Parts used:
Bark
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter, pungent
Classification:
Uses:
1. Moves Stomach Qi, Opens Obstructions:
-epigastric and abdominal distention and fullness
-Cold-type Stomach or Abdomional pain
-nausea, poor appetite
-Food Stagnation
2. Moves the Qi, Clears Damp and Phlegm:
-distention, fullness, nausea, poor appetite from Damp obstruction with thick or greasy tongue coat
-phlegm obstructing the Chest or Stomach
-Damp-type Diarrhea and Dysentery; used for hot or cold types depending on the herbs its used with
-Turbid urine from excess Damp
-“facilitates the movement of Joints” (Da Ming)
3. Directs Qi Downward, Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Phlegm obstruction causing Coughing and Wheezing
-the downward effect on Qi was used for Convulsions traditionally
4. Clears Wind-Cold:
-Headache, Chills and Fever caused by Wind-Cold (Shen Nong Ben Cao)
5. Moves the Blood:
-“Removes Blood Stasis” (Zhen Quan)
-Retention of Lochia
-also for Postpartum disorders with Stagnation
6. Kills Worms:
-for the Three types of Worms (classical indication)
Dose:
Powder: 1–3 grams
Preparation:
Correctives:
Substitute:
Main Combinations:
1. To warm the Stomach, clear Cold and Damp and move Qi: Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
2. Diarrhea:
i. Acute Cold-type Diarrhea, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
ii. Acute Heat-type Diarrhea, Dysentery Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
3. Stomach weakness with Damp and Qi stagnation, Gastritis, Gastroenteritis:
i. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
ii. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
iii. Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
4. Damp obstructing the Stomach and Spleen, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
5. Qi stagnation with Phlegm obstruction, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
6. Epigastric distention and abdominal bloating, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
7. Abdominal distention with a fast pulse, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
8. Food Stagnation, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
9. Intestinal obstruction, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
10. Wheezing from acute Wind-Cold, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
11. Turbid Urine from Damp, Magnolia Hou Po with … available in PRO version
Major Formula:
Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
Da Cheng Qi Tang
Ping Wei San
Po Chai Pill
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui
Cautions:
1. Use cautiously during pregnancy. Some Traditional texts said it is prohibited during Pregnancy.
2. Overdose was said to consume Qi.
