It is only recently, however, that studies have highlighted the amazing health benefits of two of Magnolia's constituents, honokiol and magnolol. We have chosen a product which is standardized to contain 90% honokiol and magnolol in order to guarantee a high content of active principles.
Honokiol and magnolol reduce anxiety and stress without causing drowsiness: Honokiol has an anti-anxiety effect which is complemented by the anti-depressant effect of magnolol. In one animal study, honokiol showed a similar level of efficacy to diazepam (a well-known anti-anxiety drug), but without the sedative and habit-forming side effects of the drug.
Have a beneficial effect on the activity of several neurotransmitters and helps normalize and protect cerebral function.
Honokiol and magnolol are powerful antioxidants (in vitro, up to 1000 times more potent than alpha tocopherol at inhibiting lipid peroxidation). Other studies on laboratory animals show that they protect against free radical damage to mitochondria in the liver, heart and brain.
Studies variously show that magnolia extract inhibits proliferation of several types of cancerous cell, that it may be an effective palliative treatment for leukemia and that it also has significant anti-angiogenic activity, helping to cut off blood supply to tumors.
Other research demonstrates Magnolia extract's efficacy in a range of disorders such as common, hospital-transmitted septic infections, treatment of inflammation and pain, prevention and control of asthma, fungal and bacterial growth.