magnolia medicine

Magnolias are in peak bloom here in Santa Cruz and the bay area. And there is something so undeniably stunning about a blooming magnolia. The breeze releases a unique floral aroma that is both captivating, and calming.

To me magnolias sing songs of love and courage. They appear so boldly, almost unapologetically. Like they are confidently boasting “look at me.”

To which I gladly oblige.

Beyond beautiful, magnolias carry ancient wisdom. The magnolia family dates back to over 90 million years ago, making its genus older than the t-rex and older than bees.

Within this breadth of wisdom- for hundreds of years; they have been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine.

The flowers of magnolia are said to support anxiety, stress, sleep and reduce depression. While the bark of magnolia is said to help inflamed tissue states, as it contains two highly concentrated constituents that are anti inflammatory- magnolol and honokiol.

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magnolia officinalis

Parts Used:

-flower petals, bark

Energetics:

-warming, drying, relaxant

Tastes:

-pungent/aromatic/bitter

Herbal Actions:

-anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antibiotic

A ritual for February with magnolia medicine:

Some thing you can do with your magnolia flower petals is make a beautifully infused honey.

Simply soak those petals in your favorite honey for one moon cycle, being sure to keep the petals covered in the honey. Once your petals are all soaked-set an intention.

Each time you visit your jar to stir the honey and petals, recall your intention or set a new one.

When the time is right, remove those petals from the honey with a cheesecloth by putting your plant material into the cloth and squeezing it into a bowl.

Prepare to get a little messy and lick globs of magnolia honey from your fingertips.

I like to put my jar of honey in some warm water to help remove the plant material from the honey when I am squeezing the golden goo.

Once all of the plant material is separated, put your infused honey into a precious jar and enjoy.

Please remember to always use at least 3 identification sources when wildcrafting. Also be mindful of where you are harvesting. For example, making sure the plants are not near roadways or somewhere they can become polluted by exhaust or pesticides.

Disclaimer: These articles are for educational purposes only, they are not a substitution for professional medical advice, and as the reader you are responsible for your own health decisions. Always ask your doctor before introducing an herb to your diet as certain herbs can contradict with medication and conditions.