Relora is a proprietary blend of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense bark extracts standardized to honokiol and berberine content. It is marketed as a natural stress management supplement. Magnolia officinalis, a key component of the proprietary blend RELORA®, is derived from the bark of the magnolia tree. Historically, Magnolia officinalis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its calming properties and ability to support gastrointestinal health. Magnolia (Magnolia biondii) is a plant found in parts of Asia and North and South America. The bark and flowers are used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. More than 200 types of magnolia trees exist worldwide. One type - Magnolia officinalis - is commonly called the houpo magnolia, or sometimes simply “magnolia bark.”The houpo magnolia tree is native to China, where it has been used for thousands of years as a supplement in traditional Chinese medicine. The bark, leaves, and flowers of the houpo magnolia tree are used in traditional medicine to treat anxiety, depression, and more.
What is Relora?
RELORA® is a proprietary blend of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense bark extracts standardized to honokiol and berberine content. Magnolia bark is typically bark of the houpo magnolia tree that has been stripped away from it branches and stems to make supplements. The leaves and flowers from the tree are sometimes used as well.
The supplement can be found at many online and retail stores.
Key Ingredients and Their Mechanisms
Magnolia officinalis has two primary active ingredients: honokiol and magnolol. Phellodendron amurense contains berberine.
Honokiol and Magnolol
The bark is particularly rich in two neolignans that are believed to be responsible for its medicinal properties - magnolol and honokiol.
Read also: Weight Loss Guide Andalusia, AL
Neolignans are a type of polyphenol micronutrient in plants. Polyphenols are highly valued for their antioxidant levels and believed to offer many health benefits. The active compounds in Magnolia officinalis, such as honokiol and magnolol, bind to GABA receptors in the brain, reducing excitability in the central nervous system. These compounds also help regulate cortisol production, which is often elevated during periods of stress.
Berberine
Phellodendron amurense contains berberine.
Traditional Uses of Magnolia Bark
Historically, Magnolia officinalis has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for its calming properties and ability to support gastrointestinal health. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, magnolia is used to treat the "stagnation of qi" as well as for depression and anxiety. Some of the conditions that magnolia bark has traditionally been used to treat include asthma, anxiety, depression, stomach disorders, and inflammation.
Benefits of Relora
Many benefits of magnolia bark can be attributed to two powerful polyphenols - magnolol and honokiol. These compounds, including magnolol and honokiol, have been studied extensively in recent years for their anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant benefits. It’s important to note that the exact mechanisms through which the isolated compounds contribute to these effects are still being investigated.
Stress Reduction and Anxiolytic Effects
Magnolia seems to have anxiety-reducing effects. Studies demonstrate that honokiol from magnolia bark has comparable anxiolytic activity to diazepam but without sedative side effects, making it effective for managing stress in animals. Clinical studies suggest that supplements containing Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense extracts reduce signs of anxiety in pets exposed to loud noises or other stressors. Research highlights RELORA®’s ability to moderate occasional stress and promote relaxation through its interaction with GABA receptors. A study in 40 women ages 20-50 found that taking 250 mg of magnolia and phellodendron bark extract 3 times a day resulted in greater relief of short-term and temporary anxiety than taking a placebo. A second study of the same magnolia and phellodendron bark extract in 56 adults observed that consuming 500 mg of the extract per day resulted in significantly lower cortisol levels and improved mood. Cortisol is the primary stress hormone in your body. When cortisol levels decrease, it suggests that overall stress has also decreased. However, the supplement used in these studies contained compounds other than magnolia bark. Therefore, the effects cannot be credited to the tree bark alone. Lastly, a study in rodents noted that a mixture of honokiol and magnolol caused antidepressant-like effects, including improvements in serotonin levels in the brain and reductions in corticosterone levels in the blood. Corticosterone and serotonin each play a role in regulating anxiety, mood, and depression.
Read also: Beef jerky: A high-protein option for shedding pounds?
Nervous System Support
Research highlights RELORA®’s ability to moderate occasional stress and promote relaxation through its interaction with GABA receptors.
Potential Anticancer Properties
Various studies on honokiol support the use of this polyphenol in magnolia bark as a therapy for cancer treatment and prevention. One way in which honokiol may combat cancer is by helping regulate cell signaling pathways. Given that cancer is a disease characterized by abnormal cell division and growth, the ability to regulate cellular pathways is beneficial. A 2019 review study found that honokiol has shown potential to prevent tumor growth in the brain, breast, colon, liver, and skin, among other organs. Furthermore, honokiol may not only have anticancer properties itself but also help increase the effectiveness of other anticancer and radiation drug therapies. Though more rigorous human studies are needed, the polyphenol shows promise as an anticancer therapy in humans. What’s more, magnolol likewise appears to have anticancer properties. Similar to honokiol, studies in animals have shown that magnolol may help control and suppress tumor growth in various organs. Additionally, a test-tube study found that magnolol inhibited the growth of lung cancer cells. Yet again, clinical studies in humans need to be conducted.
Protection Against Oxidative Stress and Inflammation
Oxidative stress and subsequent inflammation are one cause of chronic conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Oxidative stress also appears to play a significant role in many changes in the body and mind that accompany aging. Polyphenols, such as those found in magnolia bark, have been suggested as a potential therapy to combat the side effects of oxidative stress and inflammation. Based on research in mice, some scientists believe that honokiol may help combat aging by increasing antioxidant enzymes and decreasing levels of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde. In research, changes in levels of methane dicarboxylic aldehyde are often interpreted as a sign of antioxidant activity. Research on honokiol has found that it can reduce inflammation in the brain and spinal cord specifically, partly due to its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. This suggests that it has potential as a therapeutic agent for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Moreover, oxidative stress is widely believed to contribute to diabetes and its related complications. In a 2016 review, magnolia bark was found to improve high blood sugar levels and diabetic complications in animals. Nevertheless, additional research in humans is needed.
Sleep Improvement
The polyphenols in magnolia bark - honokiol and magnolol - have been found to help induce and improve sleep. Therefore, magnolia bark could be used as a remedy for insomnia or simply to promote better sleep overall. A study in mice found a magnolol dose of 2.3-0.9 mg per pound (5-25 mg per kg) of body weight significantly decreased sleep latency, or the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. The same study observed that the same dose increased REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep. Additionally, the magnolol appeared to increase the number of times the mice woke up during sleep but decrease the length of time they were awake. A second study in mice observed similar outcomes after administering honokiol, which also decreased the amount of time it took the mice to fall asleep and transition into non-REM sleep. Magnolia bark’s effects on sleep appear to be closely connected to the activity of the GABA(A) receptors in the central nervous system. This makes sense, as it’s known that GABA(A) receptor activity is closely associated with sleep.
Improvement of Menopause Symptoms
Some of the benefits of magnolia bark, such as improved sleep and mood, could be especially beneficial for women during menopause. A 24-week study in 89 menopausal women experiencing symptoms of sleep and mood alterations were given a supplement containing 60 mg of magnolia bark extract and 50 mg of magnesium daily. The women experienced significant improvements in insomnia, anxiety, mood, and irritability. Still, magnolia bark extract was not the only compound examined in this study. Thus, it cannot be said with certainty that the effects were due solely to the magnolia bark. A similar study in more than 600 menopausal women found that consuming a magnolia bark supplement daily for 12 weeks relieved symptoms of insomnia, irritability, and anxiety. Another study in 180 menopausal women determined that a supplement containing magnolia bark, soy isoflavones, and lactobacilli more effectively reduced the severity and frequency of hot flashes than a supplement containing the soy isoflavones alone. Again, note that magnolia bark extract was not the only supplement given in this study. Nevertheless, magnolia bark appears to be a safe therapy that may help treat menopause symptoms.
Read also: Inspiring Health Transformation
Other Potential Benefits
Magnolia might kill bacteria in the mouth which might help prevent cavities or reduce gum swelling. Chewing gum or using a toothpaste containing magnolia extract seems to reduce the swelling and bleeding of gums. Numerous documented medicinal properties are associated with 2 major phenolic constituents, magnolol and honokiol, from the stem bark of M. officinalis Rehd. Et Wils.1, 2 Concentration variations of magnolol and honokiol exist in bark sourced from different provinces in China, as recorded in The Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. In vitro and animal studies document potential efficacy as an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agent, as well as for use with Alzheimer disease, depression, diabetes, and menopause.
Dosage and Administration
Currently, there are no official recommendations for magnolia bark dosage. If you decide to take magnolia bark, carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions to know how much to take and how often. Furthermore, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking magnolia bark supplements, especially if you’re currently using other supplements or medications. Dosing recommendations include taking a 300 mg capsule of Relora 2 to 3 times per day.
Safety and Side Effects
RELORA® is generally safe when used at appropriate doses. Magnolia extract is possibly safe for most people when used for up to 6 weeks, or when used in toothpaste for up to 6 months. A 2018 review of 44 articles on the safety and toxicity of the honokiol and magnolol compounds in magnolia bark determined that the substances are safe for human consumption. Some studies have prescribed concentrated magnolia bark extracts for up to 1 year without any observations of adverse effects. Moreover, studies in both test tubes and living organisms have demonstrated that magnolia bark extract has no mutagenic or genotoxic properties, meaning there’s a low risk of magnolia bark causing genetic mutations. Therefore, as long as magnolia bark is used responsibly, there do not appear to be many risks associated with its use.
Precautions and Warnings
It should be used cautiously in pets with low blood pressure or those taking sedatives or other medications affecting the central nervous system. When applied to the skin, some people may develop skin rashes when magnolia is applied to the skin.
Interactions
Magnolia might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking magnolia with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness. Magnolia might slow blood clotting. Taking magnolia along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding. One possible concern is its potential to interact with other supplements or medications. For example, because magnolia bark supplements may promote sleep in some individuals, it’s probably best not to take the supplements in combination with any other type of sedative or sleeping pill. This is why it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking magnolia bark alone or in combination with other supplements and medications.
Special Precautions
Taking magnolia flower bud by mouth is unsafe during pregnancy. Magnolia might cause the uterus to contract, which could cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if magnolia bark is safe to use during pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. There isn't enough reliable information to know if magnolia is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. There's a concern that magnolia might slow down the nervous system too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Magnolia might also slow blood clotting and cause bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using magnolia at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Rare Side Effects
Rare side effects include mild digestive upset or drowsiness.