Magnolia Tea: Great Sleep Tea For Centuries

Since 100 AD Magnolia tea has been used in Chinese medicine. The Chinese drink Magnolia tea to help with sleep disorders, and calm feelings of anxiety. 

People take it to reduce stress and depression, and help asthma symptoms as well.

More recently in the West, Magnolia tea is also used to help improve many complaints. Magnolia buds, flowers, or bark used to make the herbal tea.

Magnolia Flowers Edible?

Can you eat Magnolia flowers? Yes, some Magnolia flowers are edible. Here is a list of edible Magnolia flowers. You can use them to make herbal tea and in salads.

They are not only edible, Magnolia flowers but they provide several benefits. And one of the easiest ways to get those benefits is to drink Magnolia flower tea.

Magnolia Flower Tea

You ca use fresh or dried Magnolia petals to make Magnolia flower tea.

• Simply place a few Magnolia petals in a cup.

• Fill the cup with hot water and cover it with a saucer. Let it steep for about 10 minutes.

• Strain, sweeten and enjoy the pleasant tasting Magnolia tea.

Some varieties of Magnolia flowers taste bitter. However, if you choose the white or lighter pink flowers you will have a pleasant tasting tea.

Today Magnolia tea is just as popular in China today as it was back then.

Magnolia Bark Tea  

It takes a bit more effort to make Magnolia bark tea from scratch. You will need 4 cups of water and 2- 4 pieces of 4inch long Magnolia bark to make Magnolia bark tea.

Magnolia Tea For Sleep

Lab studies found that Magnolia flowers contain bioactive compounds that can help you sleep. 

According to one report approximately two hundred and fifty chemicals have been identified by scientific studies of Magnolia cones, barks, flowers and leaves.

One human trial used postpartum women as test subjects for three weeks.  The study concluded that drinking Magnolia tea did help to improve the quality of the women’s sleep. 

It recommended that Magnolia tea could be used as supplementary aid to help postnatal women experiencing problems sleeping.

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Other Magnolia Tea Uses

What is Magnolia Tea Good For?

Today many people use Magnolia bark tea to help treat headaches, reduce anxiety and stress, lose weight and cure constipation.

Tea made from the flower buds or flowers is used to treat sinus infections, runny noses, the common cold, fevers, and respiratory infections.

Two of the main chemical ingredients identified in the bark extracts are magnolol and honokiol.  Both of these compounds contain anxiolytic properties. 

This means the compounds have the ability to reduce anxiety, block signals to the brain and in effect promote relaxation induce sleep.

Magnolol. One study reported on mice that were given doses of magnolol. The findings showed that it took less time for mice given magnolol doses to fall asleep. 

Honokiol.  Studies conducted on animal subjects also confirm the effect honokiol has on promoting sleep.

Honokiol (10 and 20 mg·kg⁻¹) significantly shortened the sleep latency to non-rapid eye movement (non-REM, NREM) sleep and increased the amount of NREM sleep.

Source: British Journal of Pharmacology

Magnolia Tea Safety

Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the safety of Magnolol and Honokiol which are the two main chemicals in Magnolia and its extracts.

Most of these studies confirm that it is generally safe to consume Magnolia tea. 

Therefore it is generally safe to utilize magnolia flowers, bark, and other extracts in a responsible manner.  

Magnolia Tea Side Effects

However, some common side effects have been reported by people whos use Magnolia products long-term. These include: headaches, extreme drowsiess, nausea and vomiting.

Interaction

In addition here are a few things to consider if you fall into certain categories. For example you should learn about interaction with any current medications you take.

Drowsiness. If you take medication for sleeping,  you should exercise caution when using Magnolia products as these can excessive drowsiness.

Anticoagulants.  Magnolia bark is known to slow blood clotting therefore it may be wise to speak to your doctor if you are on medications such as coumadin or other blood thinners.

Sedatives.  Because using Magnolia affects the Central Nervous System, you should avoid is if you take sedative medications.

Pregnant or Breastfeeding.  Magnolia tea made with flowers and bark extracts is generally safe.  However, there is little information on their effect on pregnant and breastfeeding women.

  Therefore it may be advisable to avoid these products if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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Buy Magnolia Tea

Products for making magnolia tea can be bought at your local health store.  They can also be found on popular online marketplace like Etsy and Amazon.

These products come in different formulations. For instance, there are tea bags and loose leaf tea.  There is also magnolia bark that comes in four to six-inch pieces.

You are also able to buy magnolia supplements and tinctures online.

Conclusion

Magnolia tea has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. 

 It is known as an effective treatment for relieving insomnia and inducing sleep. 

The tea can be made from magnolia flowers or bark extracts. Other magnolia product formulations are also available for purchase in stores and online.

Early research shows that Magnolia tea may be helpful for sleep disorders. But more human studies still need to be done.

Drinking magnolia tea and using other magnolia products is generally safe. However you should always speak with your doctor before starting on any herbal regimen.

Magnolia tea has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. 

Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only. Therefore nothing stated on this site should be viewed as medical advice. Please speak with your professional healthcare provider about matters relating to your medical care.