Magnolia contains sesquiterpene lactones such as parthenolide. Magnolia is used in traditional Chinese medicine to help relax and relieve stress. In rats, magnolia has antidepressant effects. I have not come across human trials with magnolia so I can't say much about this herb at this time. What's confusing to me is that sometimes the research listed below has involved magnolia stem or flower, other times magnolia bark has bee used. And yet other studies do not mention which part of the magnolia plant has been used.

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How is Magnolia Herb available?
Magnolia bark is sold either by itself as magnolia powder or as magnolia extract. Magnolia is also found in combination with other herbs in several products. Other herbs used in relaxation and lowering stress include kava, valerian, and ashwagandha.

Mangnolia bark extract for bad breath
Chewing gum manufacturer Wm Wrigley Jr Co had added a bit of magnolia bark extract as a germ-killing compound to their Eclipse gum and mints. The hope is to not simply mask bad breath, as most strongly flavored mints and gums do, but to kill odor-causing bacteria.

Magnolia Research Update
Anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects of sesquiterpene lactones from Magnolia and Bear's foot.
Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2004 Oct;79(2):299-302.
Sesquiterpene lactones possess a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory activity. Two plants native to the southeastern United States, Magnolia grandiflora (L.) and Smallanthus uvedalius (L.) [syn Polymnia uvedalius (L.)], are novel sources of the sesquiterpene lactones parthenolide and enhydrin, respectively. In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperalgesic effects of these isolated lactones from these two plant sources were evaluated in the rat carrageenan inflammation model. These findings suggest that parthenolide and enhydrin from these plant sources may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory pain.

Study of Magnolia grandiflora extracts in guinea pigs cardiac muscle
Arch Cardiol Mex. 2004 Apr-Jun;74(2):108-17.
Several extracts from diverse Magnolia grandiflora varieties were pharmacological evaluated in the cardiac muscle. From March to July, flowers and leaves from Magnolia grandiflora, native from the National Institute of Cardiology "Ignacio Chavez", from north, west, and orient zones from Mexico City, and from Puebla, Colima and Chiapas states were collected. They were separately processed and the extracts were obtained by maceration with ethanol-water (1:3 v/v) at 4 degrees C during two weeks. Qualitative analysis was accomplished with thin-layer, column and high-performance liquid chromatographies (HPLC). Functional and molecular analysis was made by specific chemical reactivity and by protonic magnetic resonance (RMN 1H). Pharmacological evaluation was completed in isolated and perfused male guinea pigs hearts. Extracts, fractions, and compounds were administrated by serial bolus in a gradual dose-response curves study in which left intraventricular pressure and coronary perfusion pressure were recorded, evaluating by such the positive inotropic and vasodilator effects of Magnolia grandiflora extracts. Vulgarenol and 2-p-hydroxyphenyl-2-hydroxy-ethylamine were isolated and identified, and the obtained results suggest that its positive inotropic and vasodilator effects are owed to these substances, being complemented by magnograndiolide and tyramine.

The inhibitory effects of aqueous extract of Magnolia officinalis on human mesangial cell proliferation by regulation of platelet-derived growth factor-BB and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression.
J Pharmacol Sci. 2004 Jan;94(1):81-5.
Mesangial cell (MC) proliferation, mediated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1, and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), is the common feature of glomerulosclerosis. Magnolia officinalis, stem bark of Machilus thunbergii S., has multiple pharmacological effects. In this study, we investigated the influence of aqueous extract of Magnolia officinalis on MC proliferation, DNA synthesis, and expression of PDGF-BB, TGF-beta1, CDK1, CDK2, and CDK4 in fetal bovine serum (FBS)-activated human MC. Magnolia officinalis inhibited the MC proliferation, DNA synthesis, and the expression of PDGF-BB, CDK1, and CDK2 gene and CDK1, CDK2, and TGF-beta1 protein. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of Magnolia officinalis on MC proliferation may be mediated by regulation of PDGF-BB and TGF-beta1expressions and by modulation of CDK1 and CDK2 expression.

Metabolites of orally administered Magnolia officinalis extract in rats and man and its antidepressant-like effects in mice.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2003 Nov;55(11):1583-91.
As a part of our search for the active metabolite from the bark of Magnolia officinalis (Magnoliaceae), the aqueous extract was orally administered to rats, and metabolites in the urine were analysed by a high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a photodiode array detector. When the extract was given to rats, five metabolites (sinapic acid-4-O-sulfate (1), sinapic acid-4-O-beta-glucuronide (2), sinapic acid (3), 3-[2',6-dihydroxy-5'-(2-propenyl)[1,1'-biphenyl]-3-yl]-(E)-2-propenoic acid (4), and an unchanged form, magnolol (5)) were detected in the urine. It was revealed that metabolites 1-3 and 4 were respectively derived from syringin and magnolol contained in the extract. In a human urine sample, metabolites 3-5 and dihydroxydihydromagnolol (6) were detected. These structures were identified by a combination of spectral methods and/or by comparison with authentic compounds obtained by synthesis. Among these free form metabolites (3-6), acute treatments with magnolol and dihydroxydihydromagnolol (50-100 mg kg(-1), i.p.) attenuated the forced swim-induced experimental depression in mice. The results indicated that magnolol and dihydroxydihydromagnolol were the antidepressant constituents of Magnolia officinalis.

Magnolia Bark P.E. 1.5%

Magnolia Bark P.E. 3%

Magnolia questions
Q. I read that a magnolia is found in a product called Relora. Does magnolia help with weight loss and dieting?
     A. I don't have personal experience with magnolia or Relora, so I can't say at this point since I have not taken them.

Q. Can lemon balm, chamomile, magnolia and phellodendron be taken together?
     A. Many herbs can be taken together, it all depends on the dosage. When combining herbs it is best to use less of each since their effects can add up.

Q. Magnolia root extract is proclaimed to be effective in drasticly reducing the body's response to chronic stress. Is this true?
     A. I have not seen any studies in humans using magnolia root extract and hence do not have a strong opinion on this herb at this time.

Q. Can magnolia be taken the same day as ahcc extract, lipoic acid, saw palmetto herb or acetylcarnitine?
     A. I don't see why not.

Q. I’ve struggled with anxiety (GAD) most of my life, in bouts. What do you think about magnolia bark and it’s two main active ingredients (can’t remember what they are). It’s supposed to be a viable alternative to Kava with few side effects. Is magnolia bark available anywhere?
   A. Other options for anxiety include 5-HTP, small amounts of ashwagandha, tryptophan, passionflower. We have not looked into magnolia bark in much detail. Perhaps alternating different herbs and nutrients could be an option to prevent relying too much on one anti anxiety herb and thus reducing the potential side effects.