Patchouli and Magnolia Bark In Chinese Medicine
magnolia bark
Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced for arguably over four thousand years. Herbal medicine has been widely used in Asia for internal medicine conditions. Agastache or Patchouli (Huo Xiang) and Magnolia bark (Hou Po) are commonly combined herbs in many Chinese Herbal formulas used for gastrointestinal diseases dating back to the time of the Song Dynasty. This combination has been studied and is known for being of anti-inflammatory, immune-protective and having gastrointestinal motility regulatory effects. (Zhao et. al 2019)
A 2025 study showed that Agastache and Magnolia bark in an herbal formula combination reduced nausea and vomiting for patients after receiving chemotherapy. (Tong et. al)
A 2024 research study conducted in China, looked at the use of Agastache and Magnolia bark in a traditional Chinese herbal formula and their effects on mice and diarrhea. It was found that the formula regulated the intestinal breakdown and metabolism of lactose while also restoring the microbiota balance. It does so by creating an abundance of good bacteria while suppressing harmful bacteria. (Wu et. al). It is common in many Asian homes to use of digestive herbal formulas containing patchouli and magnolia bark to treat digestive upset that includes diarrhea.
patchouli
Another 2024 animal study looked at Agastache and Magnolia bark in a prepared pill formula, and its effects on heat stroke. It showed that the formula alleviated intestinal damage from exertional heat stroke by preserving the intestinal barrier’s integrity. It also showed that the formula reduced inflammation and regulated the gut microbiom in rats. (Li, et. al)
This is not medical advice. Please note that in Chinese Medicine, classically and currently herbs are meant to be a part of a formula. Formulas are carefully crafted to address your pattern diagnosis. Please be sure to see a trained Chinese Medicine professional before taking herbs. Do not take herbs you’re unfamiliar with and consult your medical doctor as always.
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Written by Dr. Emily Siy, DACM, L.Ac. on 8/31/26 posted on 10/5/26
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Sources
Li, L., Ma, J., Li, Z., Chen, J., Zhou, J., Wang, Y., Pei, Y., Gong, Y., You, J., Cao, Y., Wang, M., Chen, J., Chang, W., Ma, W., Zhu, H., Xiang, C., Xu, S., & Song, Q. (2025). Huoxiang Zhengqi dropping pills alleviate exertional heat stroke–induced multiple organ injury through sustaining intestinal homeostasis via regulating MAPK/NF-κB pathway and gut microbiota in rats. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15, 1534713.
Tong, L., Wu, S., Ye, Z., Wang, Y., Chen, J., Li, T., Liu, X., Li, N., Peng, T., Zhou, Y., Xia, L., Hu, Z., Yue, Z., Xian, J., He, J., He, L., Sun, Y., & Zhu, J. (2025). A randomized, controlled, multicenter phase III clinical trial of Huo Xiang Zheng Qi oral liquid for the prevention and control of nausea and vomiting caused by multiday cisplatin-based regimen. Medicine, 104(52), e46778.
Wu, Y., Deng, N., Liu, J., Cai, Y., Yi, X., Tan, Z. (2024) Unlocking the therapeutic potential of Huoxiang Zhengqi San in cold and high humidity-induced diarrhea: Insights into intestinal microbiota modulation and digestive enzyme activity Heliyon: A Cell Press Journal Volume 10, Issue 12e32789
Zhao, M., Chen, Y., Wang, C., Xiao, W., Chen, S., Zhang, S., Yang, L., & Li, Y. (2019). Systems pharmacology dissection of multi-scale mechanisms of action of Huo-Xiang-Zheng-Qi formula for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 9, Article 1448.