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Magnolia Bark

Magnolia Bark (후박, 厚朴) is recorded in the Donguibogam as a qi-regulating, dampness-drying herb. Its nature is warm and its taste bitter (some sources: pungent), associated with the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine meridians. Traditional uses recorded in the text include moves qi, dries dampness, resolves phlegm, descends counterflow qi, warms and strengthens the stomach. Caution: Pungent, warm, and drying; the classics note raw preparation irritates the throat, so it is traditionally roasted with ginger juice first.

후박 (厚朴) · Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson
Qi-regulating, dampness-drying herb Warm Bitter (some sources: pungent) Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine
NatureWarm
TasteBitter (some sources: pungent)
MeridiansSpleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine
Part usedBark
FamilyMagnoliaceae
CategoryQi-regulating, dampness-drying herb
Find by concern: BloatingFood stagnationVomiting

Overview

Magnolia bark, marked in the Donguibogam as an imported (Tang) medicine, is a foundational herb for stagnant, bloated digestion — thickening the stomach's qi and clearing years-old cold stagnation and rumbling fullness. It remains a core ingredient of classic digestive formulas today.

In the Donguibogam

東醫
寶鑑
性溫, 味苦一云辛, 無毒. 主積年冷氣, 腹中脹滿, 雷鳴, 宿食不消. 大溫胃氣, 止霍亂吐瀉轉筋, 消痰下氣, 厚腸胃. 治泄痢嘔逆, 去三蟲, 泄五藏一切氣.
Source: Donguibogam, Tangaek-pyeon (Herbology volume)
TranslationIts nature is warm, its taste bitter (some say pungent), and it is non-toxic. It mainly treats years-old cold qi, abdominal distension and fullness, rumbling in the abdomen, and undigested lingering food. It greatly warms the stomach qi, stops cholera-type vomiting and diarrhea with cramping, resolves phlegm and descends qi, and thickens the intestines and stomach. It treats diarrhea with vomiting and counterflow, expels the three parasites, and drains all stagnant qi of the five viscera.

Traditional uses recorded in the Donguibogam

  • Moves qi, dries dampness
  • Resolves phlegm, descends counterflow qi
  • Warms and strengthens the stomach
  • Relieves distension and fullness

Traditional applications recorded in the classical text

  • Abdominal bloating and fullness
  • Food stagnation, undigested lingering food
  • Cholera-type vomiting and diarrhea
  • Phlegm-damp cough with chest oppression

Traditional preparation

Traditionally prepared roasted with ginger juice.

This describes traditional preparation recorded in the classics, not a recommendation for use today. DonguiHub does not provide dosage guidance — consult a qualified professional before using any herb.

Cautions

Caution: Pungent, warm, and drying; the classics note raw preparation irritates the throat, so it is traditionally roasted with ginger juice first. Not suited to qi deficiency without stagnation, or to pregnancy without professional guidance. Consult a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Why does the Donguibogam say to roast magnolia bark with ginger juice?

The text explicitly warns that unprepared bark irritates the throat, so ginger-juice roasting was the standard preparation before use — a detail preserved in traditional processing today.

What is magnolia bark's main traditional role?

Relieving bloated, stagnant digestion — the Donguibogam highlights abdominal distension, rumbling fullness, and undigested food as its core uses, alongside resolving phlegm and calming vomiting and diarrhea.

Sources

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