Magnolia officinalis may aid sleep by promoting relaxation, but research is lacking.

Magnolia officinalis is a tree used in traditional Chinese medicine that might help with sleep primarily due to its ability to:

• Reduce anxiety. The anxiolytic and stress-reducing effects of magnolia officinalis’ could make it easier to fall and stay asleep.

Overview

Magnolia officinalis is a flowering deciduous tree native to the mountainous regions of China. The bark of magnolia officinalis have long been used by traditional Chinese medicine to help with anxiety, stress, and other cognitive issues.

It contains several bioactive ingredients, the most important of which are magnolol and honokiol, which have been shown to have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and other beneficial qualities. The traditional way of consuming magnolia is as tea. This preparation – also known as Saiboku-to – is also popular for its anti-inflammatory effects.

Today, magnolia supplements are a popular way of reducing anxiety, depression, and  memory impairment. It is also sometimes used as a sleep aid, owing largely to its relaxation-promoting effects. However, more research evidence is needed to confirm its sleep-enhancing properties.

How Magnolia Officinalis Might Help With Sleep

Modulation of GABA receptors

Research shows that both magnolol and honokiol, the primary active ingredients of magnolia officinalis, are positive allosteric modulators of GABA-A receptors.¹ This means that they reduce that amount of a particular substance needed to activate the receptor, in this case GABA or other chemicals that act on GABA-A receptors. In addition, magnolol has been shown to increase the density of GABA-A receptors that possess alpha subunits,² an effect also caused by diazepam,³ a benzodiazepine sometimes used to treat insomnia. All together, these effects increase GABA activity, which promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety.

Suppressing adrenal response

Research shows that magnolia bark might possess active ingredients that prevent the adrenal glands from releasing adrenaline.⁴ Since adrenaline promotes alertness, decreasing its levels in the brain could help with sleep.

Magnolia Officinalis Popular Uses and Reputation

Magnolia officinalis has been used to help reduce stress, anxiety, depression, insomnia, and also as a neuroprotective agent. It’s overall ability to induce relaxation has resulted in magnolia’s increasing use as a sleep aid. However, there are currently no human studies looking directly at magnolia’s effects on sleep.

Research

Animal Research

Animal studies suggest that magnolia officinalis might be a beneficial sleep aid due to its ability to increase GABA transmission, promote sedation, and reduce anxiety:

• Magnolol and honokiol increase GABAergic neurotransmission in rats
• Magnolol might promote sedation in rats through blocking serotonin release
• Magnolol and honokiol have been shown to reduce anxiety in various animals⁵

Human Research

Human research on the effects on magnolia officinalis on sleep duration and quality are not available as of yet, although current studies seem to support its beneficial effects on stress and anxiety. These effects could be indicators of its positive potential as a sleep aid.

Relora® (500 mg) might reduce stress and improve mood

To determine the effects of Relora®  – a combination of magnolia officinalis and phellodendron amurense barks – on anxiety and stress, 56 participants underwent a placebo-controlled study where they consumed 250 mg of Relora twice daily for four weeks. After this time period, the researchers found that those that supplemented with Relora had less cortisol in their saliva, and reported less stress, depression, tension, anger, confusion, and fatigue, as well as higher vigor and global mood, than the placebo group.

• The researchers concluded that “daily supplementation with a combination of Magnolia bark extract and Phellodendron bark extract (Relora®) reduces cortisol exposure and perceived daily stress, while improving a variety of mood state parameters, including lower fatigue and higher vigor.”⁶

Relora® (750 mg per day) might reduce temporary anxiety in premenopausal women

In order to determine the effect of magnolia officinalis and phellodendron amurense in the form of Relora^® on sleep, stress, and anxiety in premenopausal women, researchers conducted a parallel, placebo controlled, and randomized study on 40 participants. Subjects in the experimental group consumed 250 mg capsules of Relora three times per day for six weeks. The results found that those in the Relora group experienced a reduction in temporary anxiety, although no differences in sleep quality or latency were observed.

• The researchers concluded that “Relora may offer some relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety.”⁷

Dosage for Sleep

• Successful studies use dosages within the 500 mg to 750 mg range, although these supplements are combinations of magnolia officinalis and phellodendron amurense
• Capsules of magnolia officinalis bark extract typically come in dosages of 300 mg or 400 mg

Available Forms

• Capsules of magnolia bark extract are the most common form and typically come in doses of 300 mg or 400 mg
• Bark extract powder can be purchased in larger quantities of 100 g and is ideal for making teas
• Relora® is a combination of extracts from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense and typically comes in 250 mg or 300 mg capsules