Magnolia officinalis
Avoid Magnolia officinalis
Houpu Magnolia
Magnolia-bark
Magnolia Officinalis has been used in Chinese herbal medicine. Avoid Magnolia Officinalis. It is one of the famous Chinese herbs that can lead to bladder cancer. It is not the herb itself. It is when a substitution is made from this herb to an Arstolochia type herb and then the person takes Aristolochia along with a vasoconstrictor such as Fenformin. Aristolochia when combined with vasoconstrictive agents (such as Fenformin) causes a rapid, progressive tubulointerstitial atrophic nephritis and urothelial cancer. Bladder cancer can develop following an acute drop in kidney function. It has been recommended that if there is any chance of this being the source of a rapid sudden onset of declining in kidney functioning that it would be prudent for the surgeon to removed and replace the ureters as well to prevent the formation of a cancer in the new transplanted kidney.
Magnolia can slow down the central nervous system. There is a concern that it 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. If you choose to use Magnolia, stop using it at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery.
Recent studies indicate Magnolia officinalis and a patent-pending plant extract from Phellodendron amurense bark (Relora ®) reduces cortisol exposure and perceived daily stress. Further studies are needed in athletes. If you choose to try Relora ® take caution that you are getting the correct herb. A mix up in Chinese root herbs involving Magnolia was implicated as the cause in bladder and kidney cancer in a weight reduction clinic in Belgium.
