Evidence supporting the use of: Magnolia
For the body system: Cortisol

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for its purported calming and stress-reducing effects. In recent years, scientific interest has focused on its potential to modulate the body’s stress response, particularly through effects on cortisol levels. Magnolia contains bioactive compounds such as honokiol and magnolol, which have been shown in preclinical studies to influence neurotransmitter systems and reduce markers of stress in animal models. Several small-scale human studies and clinical trials have examined magnolia extracts (often in combination with other botanicals) for their effects on perceived stress, anxiety, and sleep quality. Some of these studies report reductions in salivary cortisol and improvement in subjective measures of stress and anxiety compared to placebo.

However, while there is promising evidence that magnolia may help support a healthy stress response and modulate cortisol, the overall quality and quantity of clinical evidence remain moderate. Most studies are limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and use of proprietary blends rather than magnolia alone. As such, magnolia’s use for supporting the “cortisol body system” is grounded in both traditional practices and emerging scientific research, with moderate evidence supporting its efficacy. More rigorous, large-scale clinical trials are needed to fully validate its effects on cortisol regulation in humans.

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