MAGNOLIA Magnolia virginiana, L.( M. glauca, L.; M. acuminate, and M. tripetata)( N. O.: Magnoliaceae)
Common Names: White Bay, Beaver Tree, Swamp Sassafras, Magnolia, Indian Bark. Features: A genus of ornamental, widely cultivated evergreen or deciduous trees and shrubs of the family Magnoliaceae. Highly admired by man for its beautiful and fragrant flowers, with little attention given to its medical properties. The thirty-five to forty species are mostly native to the United States, India, China and Japan. They grow in North America in morasses from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico.
They are characterized by large alternate, entire leaves; large, solitary, terminal flowers, often highly fragrant and white, purple pine, or yellowish in colour, and cone-shaped, often red, decorative fruit. This species varies in height from 6 – 30 ft., being taller in the south than in the north, and flowers from May to August. The bark of both the trunk and the root is employed. The odour is aromatic and the taste bitterish, warm and pungent. Medicinal Part: The root and trunk bark. Solvent: Water. Bodily Influence: Tonic, Aromatic, Astringent, Antiperiodic, Stimulant. Uses: At one time official in the United States Pharmacopoeia for treating rheumatism. The action is superior to quinine and leaves no evil side-effect, as does quinine, and so can be continued with more safety. Also useful in chills and fever, as a restorative tonic, dyspepsia and for convalescence after fevers. Properly prepared it may be used as a substitute for tobacco( when taken with hygienic measures) and it will break the habit of tobacco chewing. Dose: In powder, ½ – 1 dram doses five or six times a day. The infusion is taken in wineglassful doses five or six times a day. The tincture, made by adding 2 oz. of the cones to a pint of brandy, will be found beneficial in dyspepsia and chronic rheumatism. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of the flower— Asthma, Fainting. Russian Experience: The Magnolia trees that are seen in Russia are Magnolia fuscata( brown leaves) from China, and Fuscata grandiflora( big leaves) from North America. They are grown both for decorative and medical use. Folk Medicine: The bark, fruit and seeds are made into Nastoika( with vodka) for Fevers, Heart tonic and Rheumatism( Saratov University, 1963). Externally: The oil from the flowers and young leaves aids falling hair, and is used as a scalp tonic. Clinically: Only the extract, 20 – 30 drops three times daily, for heart trouble and high blood pressure. Larger amounts as local antiseptic for external wounds and pain( Atlas, Moscow, 1962).
MAGNOLIA Magnolia glauca, L., Magnolia virginiana, L.( Medicina, Moscow, 1963)