Hou Po
hou_po.JPG

 

Hou Po in TCM:

Explore the properties of Hou Po according to Chinese
Nutrition and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM):


Factoids:
English Name: magnolia bark
Pharmacuetical Name: cortex magnoliae officinalis
Properties: bitter, acrid, warm, aromatic


Temperature: warm

Channels: LU, LI, ST, SP

Flavors: aromatic, bitter, pungent

Special Properties:
circulates qi, clears damp, resolves phlegm, resolves food stagnation


Actions / Indications:
  • Dries Dampness; Promotes Qi movement; Resolves Stagnation (distress of SP and ST due to dampness and/or qi stagnation; damp-warm febrile diseases; food stagnation; distension and fullness of chest and abdomen; appetite loss; diarrhea)
  • Transforms Phlegm; Descends LU qi (wheezing due to phlegm obstructionwith cough; stifling chest sensation)

    Special Notes:
  • Quite strong in its qi regulating function, some describe Hou Po as "breaking open the qi". When used improperly this herb can damage yuan qi - use with special caution in deficient patients with bloating.

Contraindications:
  • (cc: pregnancy)
  • (cc: yin deficiency)