Pinyin: Houpuhua
Aliases
Diaogenghua
Source
Magnoliaceae plant *Magnolia officinalis* Rehd. et Wils. var. *biloba* Rehd. et Wils.Magnolia officinalisRehd.et Wils.var.bilobaDried flower buds of Rehd. et Wils.
Botanical Description
Deciduous tree, 5-15 m tall. Bark purple-brown, branchlets stout, pale yellow or gray-yellow. Winter buds large, conical, bud scales covered with pale yellow pubescence. Petiole stout, 2.5-4 cm long, stipule scar about 2/3 the length of the petiole. Leaves nearly leathery, large, 7-9 leaves clustered at branch apex, oblong-obovate, 22-46 cm long, 15-24 cm wide, apex emarginate with 2 obtuse rounded shallow lobes, upper surface green, glabrous, lower surface gray-green, pubescent with gray hairs. Flowers solitary, fragrant, 10-15 cm in diameter, perianth segments 9-12 or more, outer 3 segments green, reflexed when in full bloom, inner two whorls white, obovate-spatulate; stamens numerous, 2-3 cm long, filaments red; pistils numerous, separate. Aggregate fruit oblong, base narrower, follicles with a 2-3 mm beak. Seeds triangular-obovate, outer seed coat red. Flowering period April to May, fruiting period September to October.
Habitat and Distribution
Born on hillsides, foothills, roadsides, and streamsides in mixed forests. Distributed in Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, and Hunan. Now cultivated.
Harvesting and Processing
Harvest in spring before the flowers open, steam briefly, then sun-dry or dry at low temperature.
Medicinal Properties
Long conical, 4-7 cm long, base diameter 1.5-2.5 cm. Reddish-brown to brown. Perianth mostly 12 segments, fleshy, outer segments oblong-obovate, inner segments spatulate. Stamens numerous, anthers linear, pale yellowish-brown, filaments broad and short. Carpels numerous, separate, spirally arranged on a conical receptacle. Pedicel 0.5-2 cm long, densely covered with grayish-yellow tomentum, occasionally glabrous. Texture brittle, easily broken. Odor: aromatic; Taste: bland.
Chemical Constituents
This product primarily contains camphor and magnolol and other components.
Pharmacology
Lowers blood pressure.
Properties and Channel Entry
Bitter, slightly warm. Enters the Spleen and Stomach channels.
Functions and Indications
Aromatic herbs transform Dampness, regulate Qi and relax the Middle Jiao
Dosage and Administration
3-5 g, decocted for oral administration.
Precautions and Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with Yin deficiency and fluid depletion.
Prescriptions
Pills: 3-10 g. Tincture: 10-30 ml. For Plum Pit Qi: (Magnolia) flower 15-30 g. Decoct in water for oral administration. (Zhejiang Medicinal Flora)
