Magnolia White (plant) - Beneficial Properties And Uses Of Magnolia, Flowers And Magnolia Seeds

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 21:43

Magnolia

Useful properties and uses of magnolia

Botanical characteristics of large-flowered magnolia

Large-flowered magnolia is a delightful evergreen shrub that grows in Crimea and the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus. This plant attracts attention with its large, light beige flowers, which have an unsurpassed pleasant aroma. This plant has a strong trunk with a smooth bark and can reach 30 m in height. The pyramidal crown of magnolia gives good shade as it is densely leafed.

The large leaves of the shrub are elliptical. Fragrant flowers, located at the ends of the branches, can reach a diameter of 12 cm. Such an exotic plant blooms from May to the end of September. Outwardly, the fruit is a multileaf with rather large seeds - it resembles a conifer cone. The homeland of large-flowered magnolia is North America, where this species grows well in damp forests and river valleys.

Benefits of magnolia

Magnolia contains a unique essential oil, rutin, flavone glycosides, and a number of special alkaloids. The beneficial properties of this plant have long been used for health purposes. Tincture of magnolia flowers is recommended by folk medicine as a reliable prophylactic agent for high blood pressure and asthma. Magnolia's exceptional antiseptic properties help fight the bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Magnolia began to be widely used in traditional medicine not so long ago in comparison with other medicinal plants, but for several centuries it has proven itself well in the fight against many diseases. A more detailed study of this healing shrub revealed many useful substances that determine its medicinal properties.

The leaves of the plant are rich in essential oils, glycosides, and various minerals. They also contain rutin and alkaloids such as magnolin and magnolamine. Essential oils are also found in the flowers of the plant.

Its fruits are also very much appreciated for the high content of fatty oils, consisting of a whole complex of unsaturated acids: peanut, linolenic, oleic, palmitic, stearic, myristic. The bark contains a lot of magnoflorin, and the useful substances candicin and salicifoline are isolated from the roots. For medicinal purposes, the leaves, flowers and bark of the tree are collected.

Magnolia application

As a rule, in folk medicine, a liquid extract of this medicinal plant is used, which has a pronounced hypotensive effect. With its help, you can stabilize blood pressure, as well as significantly reduce heart pain and restore normal heartbeat. For more than a dozen years in the early stages of chronic hypertension, special alcoholic extracts of magnolia have been used, which can significantly improve the patient's well-being.

Tincture: 2 teaspoons of crushed seeds should be poured with one glass of ethyl alcohol (70%). After 10 days of infusion in a warm place, you can start a monthly course of treatment. To do this, you must take 30 drops of tincture during meals at least three times a day. Moreover, such a tincture can be recommended as an external means for rubbing the body with rheumatism.

Magnolia leaf. Magnolia leaves contain iron salts, magnesium, potassium, essential oil, rutin, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides. Leaves must be thoroughly dried in the open air before use. They should be stored in tightly closed containers in a dry place.

Magnolia fruit. In folk medicine, magnolia fruits are often used for diseases of the digestive system, as well as as an effective remedy for rheumatism.

Magnolia flowers. The main purpose of medicines based on the flowers of this plant is to normalize blood pressure and improve well-being. The essential oil contained in magnolia flowers is successfully used in cosmetology to quickly strengthen hair.

Magnolia bark. It is the magnolia bark that is excellent for chills and fever. In addition, it has a tonic effect on gastritis, colitis and myasthenia gravis. Also, the bark of this plant is often used as a stimulant with a rather weak labor.

The plant is widely used in pharmacology, its various parts are included in many tonic, stimulating and restorative medicines. Medicines based on it can reduce pain in the heart region and slow down the heart rate. In addition, they lower blood pressure, which in turn leads to an improvement in the general condition of the whole body.

Traditional medicine in many countries of the world notes tincture of large-flowered magnolia leaves as an effective antihypertensive agent that has an antispasmodic effect on human smooth muscles. Among other things, the use of such a tincture will be useful in the early stages of hypertension. Chinese physicians have long used tree bark in the treatment of gastritis, myasthenia gravis, spastic colitis and problems with labor.

The plant has a good antiseptic effect and is capable of destroying caries-causing microbes, reliably protecting the oral cavity from inflammation. Tinctures of this medicinal plant have long been recommended for the prevention of asthma, normalize blood pressure and eliminate rheumatic pains. They have also been used as an antipyretic for fever. It should be noted that the study of the beneficial properties of this amazing tree does not stop with official science to this day.

Tincture: the seeds, bark and fruits of the tree must be insisted on alcohol for twenty days, then strain and take 4 times a day, 10–20 drops of tincture (diluted with water) as an anti-febrile and cardiac tonic. Such a tincture in combination with other herbs can be used externally for rheumatism.

Magnolia oil

The essential oil is obtained from the flowers and leaves of the tree by steam distillation. The production technology is not that simple, so the product is expensive. At the same time, magnolia oils are extremely soft, light and aromatic. It is an indispensable component of an expensive refined perfume.

The oil is widely used in folk medicine to combat respiratory diseases, it is effective as inhalation for colds and severe coughs. If used during massage, it helps to relieve the manifestations of rheumatism and reduces joint pain. Due to its beneficial effects on the skin, this drug is included in the preparation of many tonic creams and lotions.

It helps to effectively cope with acne, eliminates skin pigmentation, removes dark spots on the face and removes inflammation. Some experts have noted the pleasant tonic scent of magnolia oil, which helps to relax the body and the nervous system.

Magnolia flowers

The flowers of the tree are extraordinarily beautiful, fragrant and elegant. The graceful shape of the glass with a pestle inside makes them an indispensable decorative element for decorating gardens and grounds.

Traditional medicine in many countries of the world advises the use of plant flowers as an easy prophylactic agent for asthma. Their main medicinal effect is to normalize blood pressure and improve the general well-being of a person. Flower tinctures are often used to combat hair loss and strengthen hair. The healing properties of medicines are in the high content of essential oil and other useful components.

Magnolia seeds

Magnolia seeds are a fairly common drug. They have previously been successfully used by Chinese folk healers to cure patients from pulmonary diseases, as well as to strengthen the heart. A tincture is made from the seeds of this medicinal plant, which has a positive effect on the human body with fever, it is also able to tone up the heart. Outwardly, such a remedy can be used for rubbing with rheumatism.

Magnolia extract

It is obtained from the seeds, bark or leaves of this medicinal plant. The extract is an indispensable component of various care products for problem skin and hair. In folk medicine, it is used to treat hypertension in the early stages. This healing agent helps to lower blood pressure, reduce heart pain and slow heartbeat, dilate peripheral blood vessels.

The improvement in heart function after the use of magnolia extract is due to the presence of essential oils, alkaloids and some minerals useful to the human body. Many experts note the positive effect of this agent on the general well-being and the human immune system, although the latter assumption has not been officially confirmed.

Growing magnolia

To grow a magnolia tree with ease, there are a few rules to follow. This moisture-loving plant does not like calcareous and saline soil, and it is also afraid of strong winds. When the tops of the shoots freeze, they should be cut off, and the affected branches are able to recover on their own. Magnolia is propagated by seeds or cuttings. She will feel great in sunny places or in shaded areas. Uniform hydration must be complemented by good drainage. In addition, regular feeding is required.

The plant is usually propagated by summer cuttings, seeds, grafting or layering. Layering is best for early summer. It should be remembered that the tree does not tolerate liming and for its full development it needs spacious dishes and abundant watering. It is best to use soft water for watering. Magnolia cuttings will be more successful and effective when using growth stimulants.

It is recommended to cut green cuttings from the mother plant in the summer, after which they must be placed in a greenhouse with lower soil heating. These are very light-loving plants, but in regions with hot summers, partial shade is also suitable for growing them. The land for growing seedlings should be fertile and fertilized with peat. It should also be remembered that the plant develops very slowly in the first year.

Care for seedlings consists of abundant watering, mulching the soil with rotted compost or peat every spring, cutting off dry or thickening branches. The frozen tops of the shoots should also be pruned, while the affected branches are restored on their own.

Magnolia white

Magnolia white is a magnificent ornamental shrub that impresses with its large snow-white flowers with a unique aroma. The height of the trunk of this species can exceed 30–40 m. White magnolia blooms for three summer months. The cone-shaped fruits are bright in color, and the large expressive leaves are oblong in shape.

Magnolia large-flowered

Magnolia large-flowered has a dense pyramidal crown, which is located on a high powerful trunk. Single apical flowers have an excellent odor. Rusty ovate fruits reach 10 mm in length. Large-flowered magnolia is grown not only in the regions of the Krasnodar Territory, but also in Georgia and Central Asia.

Magnolia black

Magnolia black is an extraordinary ornamental plant that has a short trunk and dark purple flowers. The dark brown or black seeds of this shrub are found in a unique flesh. This magnolia prefers fertile soil and grows well in sunny, calm places.

Magnolia star

Graceful stellate magnolia is an incredibly beautiful shrub with a rounded crown. Its height, as a rule, does not exceed 3 m. Earthy-green oval leaves up to 15 cm in size are complemented by fragrant white flowers that conquer with their star-shaped petals. Large flowers can be about 10 cm in diameter. This plant blooms from late spring to early autumn.

Magnolia Cobus

The birthplace of the Kobus magnolia is Japan, where this tree reaches a height of 25 m. The obovate leaves, about 8 cm long, are the basis of the dense crown of the plant. Large milk flowers have a delicate aroma. The diameter of the flowers does not exceed 12 cm. Such a winter-hardy magnolia is a fairly hardy tree that is not afraid of direct sun and wind.

Magnolia obovate

Magnolia obovate is a rather rare species that grows in Japan, on the territory of Russia and on the Kuril Islands. The presented plant is listed in the Red Book. Such a slender tree grows on average no more than 8 m in height, while the trunk diameter is about half a meter. Ovate leaves are green on top and bluish below. The delicate creamy flowers smell great in early summer, from mid-May to early July. Dark red fruits are large - up to 17 cm.

Magnolia holly

Holly magnolia is an ornamental evergreen that does not grow taller than 2 m. Large leathery leaves are interesting for their spiny-toothed shape, which makes them look like holly leaves. The yellow flowers are numerous and have erect, branched inflorescences. Blossoming occurs in May, sometimes magnolia can bloom again in October. Sweet fruits ripen by mid-August.

Contraindications to the use of magnolia

When using preparations from a plant, it should always be remembered that it is toxic and dangerous. Decoctions or tinctures based on it should be consumed exclusively on the recommendation of a doctor. In some people, they can cause an increased feeling of fatigue, dizziness, nausea, and headache. We must also not forget about allergies or individual intolerances. The flowers of the tree have a specific and strong aroma, the excessive concentration of which in a closed room can adversely affect human health.

The author of the article: Sokolova Nina Vladimirovna | Phytotherapist

Education: Diploma in "General Medicine" and "Therapy" received at the Pirogov University (2005 and 2006). Advanced training at the Department of Phytotherapy at the Peoples' Friendship University of Moscow (2008).