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Magnolia Bark Side Effects & Safety

Evidence:Emerging
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This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Statements about dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results may vary — consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Safety Profile

Overall safety rating: Generally Safe

Potential Side Effects

  • Generally well tolerated
  • Drowsiness (dose-dependent — beneficial for sleep use)
  • Headache (uncommon)
  • GI discomfort (uncommon)
  • Dizziness (rare)
  • May lower thyroid hormone levels at very high doses (preclinical data)

Drug & Supplement Interactions

  • Sedative medications — additive CNS depressant effects due to GABA-A modulation
  • Anticoagulants — magnolol may have mild antiplatelet activity
  • CYP enzyme substrates — honokiol may inhibit certain CYP enzymes
  • Alcohol — additive sedation via GABA-A pathway
  • Thyroid medications — theoretical interaction at high doses

Maximum Dose

Do not exceed: 750mg/day Relora or 500mg/day concentrated magnolia extract (limited data above these levels)

Full Magnolia Bark Guide

References

  1. RCTTalbott SM, Talbott JA, Pugh M (2013). Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora) on cortisol and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. DOI PubMed
  2. In-vitroAlexeev M, Grosenbaugh DK, Bhatt MH, et al. (2012). The natural products magnolol and honokiol are positive allosteric modulators of both synaptic and extra-synaptic GABA(A) receptors. Neuropharmacology. DOI PubMed
  3. ReviewThomas AJ, Ismail R, Taylor-Swanson L, Cray L, et al. (2014). Effects of isoflavones and amino acid therapies for hot flashes and co-occurring symptoms during the menopausal transition and early postmenopause: a systematic review.. Maturitas. DOI PubMed
  4. RCTAgosta C, Atlante M, Benvenuti C (2011). Randomized controlled study on clinical efficacy of isoflavones plus Lactobacillus sporogenes, associated or not with a natural anxiolytic agent in menopause.. Minerva ginecologica. PubMed