Untitled Document
Despite centuries of use in TCM, little is known about the long-term safety of magnolia bark. Common side effects include drowsiness, headache, nausea, and vomiting.
Because of its effects on the central nervous system, magnolia bark should not be taken with sedatives or sedating medications (including older antihistamines such as Benadryl).
Magnolia bark can slow blood clotting and should be avoided if you take anticoagulants ("blood thinners") like Coumadin (warfarin) or Plavix (clopidogrel). Doing so can lead to easy bruising and nosebleeds.
You should stop taking magnolia bark two weeks before scheduled surgery to avoid excessive bleeding and complications arising from anesthesia.
Due to its estrogen-like effects, magnolia bark should be avoided if you have a hormone-sensitive condition like cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids.
Given the paucity of safety research, it is best to avoid magnolia bark in pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children as well as people with bleeding disorders such as hemophilia. *