Magnolia officinalis

Magnolia officinalis (commonly called houpu magnolia or magnolia bark) is a species of Magnolia native to the mountains and valleys of China at altitudes of 300–1500 m. It is a deciduous tree up to 20 m tall with broad, fragrant white flowers and two varieties distinguished by leaf shape, differing slightly from Magnolia obovata primarily in fruit base shape.

Its aromatic bark, traditionally used in Chinese medicine as “hou po,” is now primarily sourced from cultivated plants. Magnolol and honokiol, phenolic compounds from Magnolia officinalis, may improve fatty liver and obesity by activating Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha/gamma to boost fat metabolism and energy use, and also enhance GABA_A receptor activity with potential anxiolytic and sedative effects but possible side effects.