The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Magnolia

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey y'all, welcome to today's show. We're continuing our series on medicinal uses of fairly common trees, and today we're going to get to one of my absolute favorites, and it is the magnolia. I mean, there is no tree more emblematic of the South than magnolia, Grandiflora, the one with the nice big blossoms. Grandiflora, the one with the nice big blossoms. But there are actually several varieties. Let me see. We've got six that are native to my region. The Cucumber Tree, which grows more in the mountains where I live, and it has small flowers. You've got the Fraser Magnolia, the Big Leaf Magnolia, Umbrella Tree, and a very interesting one, magnolia virginiana or sweet

Starting point is 00:00:48 bay. But overall, there are 11 varieties of magnolia that have been found useful in herbal medicine. And you've probably got one that grows in your area. If not, you can probably get one growing beautiful tree the the blossoms are have a strong lemon scent and they're actually edible the magnolias in the Bay family they're bitter but you know they Google it, you know, pretty darn easy to identify. She says the bark has no astringency. The tonic properties are found in varying degrees in several species. Under medicinal actions and uses she says a mild diaphoretic that means it helps with fevers. It's tonic

Starting point is 00:01:58 that generally means it's good for the stomach and appetite and all that aromatic and stimulant. It is used in rheumatism and malaria. And it has a quinine type property. And that's one of the reasons it's good for fever. Is contraindicated in inflammatory symptoms. In the Allegheny districts, the cones are steeped in spirits to make a tonic tincture. She says a warm infusion is laxative and pseudorific, a cold one being anti-periodic and mildly tonic, so it can

Starting point is 00:02:29 actually help with excessive menstrual bleeding. Other species she lists Virginiana and the Umbrella tree and those were the ones she knew in England. But she also mentions, especially a folk use here in America, that chewing the bark is a substitute for tobacco. Well, I don't have an addiction to tobacco. I enjoy the occasional cigar and everything. But people who do say that chewing the bark of magnolia as a substitute for tobacco is said to cure the habit. And that's something I believe was learned from the Cherokee, if I remember correctly. Let's see.

Starting point is 00:03:15 Under Resources of the Southern Fields and Forests, they include the swamp laurel as well as the bay laurel under magnolia and that's magnolia glauca I believe they say it is stimulant aromatic and tonic was considerable not considerable diaphoretic powers the leaves steep in brandy or decoction therein or volume when pectoral affections it means chest colds and such recent recent colds, etc. The tincture is made by macerating the fresh cones and seeds or the bark of the root in brandy, which best extracts its virtues,

Starting point is 00:03:54 and is much used as a popular remedy in rheumatism and in intermittent fevers. That's interesting because Ms. Grieb had said it wasn't good for inflammatory conditions, but obviously rheumatism, arthritis would be. So, according to Barton, it's good to use in inflammatory gout. Lindley refers to it as a valuable tonic. Bark of the Root, according to Griffith, was employed by the Indians to fulfill a variety of indications.

Starting point is 00:04:25 According to Griffith Woods, employed by the Indians to fulfill a variety of indications, worm decoction acts as a gentle laxative and subsequently as a pseudorrhific, whilst the cold decoction, powder, or tincture is tonic. These have proved very beneficial in the hands of regular practitioners in the treatment of remnants of a typhoid character. It is supposed by many residing in the lower portion of South Carolina that this tree prevents the water in bogs and galls from generating malaria. It certainly seems that the water is much

Starting point is 00:04:52 clearer where the bay tree grows. I've never noticed that. I'll have to take a look at that next time. But getting into the Grandiflora, the one with the big flowers that everybody thinks of, you know, as being Georgia and everything. You know, Mississippi, Louisiana, just known for those.

Starting point is 00:05:08 Well, so is North Carolina and South Carolina. I mean, the South is known for magnolia. He says the magnificent tree grows beautifully along the seacoast and the streets of Charleston. It gives a lot of locations, Georgia, North Carolina, places he had studied it. locations, Georgia, North Carolina, places he had studied it, says that Proctor, in his analysis in the American Pharmacy Journal, found the species contained a volatile oil, resin, and a crystallizable principle, analogous to the lyriodendron.

Starting point is 00:05:43 Let's see. He said the seeds were used in Mexico with success in paralysis. I have no idea how that is, but anyway. The cucumber tree, the small one that grows in the mountains, and he mentions that it grows in the mountains of Georgia and North Carolina, says the cone of this species employed in the form of a spurious tincture in rheumatic affections, so good for arthritis again. The flowers of most magnolias exhale a strong aromatic fragrance. The bark of all possess a combination of bitter and hotly aromatic properties without astringency, and that of many acts as a powerful medicine in similar way to Peruvian bark, which is cinchona, from which they make quinine.

Starting point is 00:06:26 So Magnolia and Tulip poplar and Dogwood are all very good substitutes for quinine or Chinchona. King's American Dispensatory of 1898 says, Magnolia bark is an aromatic tonic bitter of reputed efficacy and appears to likewise possess anti-periodic properties. Intermittent fevers have been cured by it after Chinchona had failed. It is not so apt to disagree with the stomach and bowels, nor to induce fullness of the head as Chinchona, and can be continued a longer time with more safety in all respects. Its curative agency is said to be favored by the diaphoretic action which generally

Starting point is 00:07:13 follows its administration. In dyspepsia, that's basically stomach upset, gas and such, with loss in the tone of stomach, it is very useful as a tonic and has also proved of much service in the treatment of remittance with typhoid symptoms. The warm infusion acts as a gentle laxative and pseudorrhific, a cold one as a tonic and anti-periodic, as does also the tincture and powder. The powder is considered a preferable form of administration. The bark of the Borrella magnolia, chewed as a substitute for tobacco,

Starting point is 00:07:54 has cured an inveterate tobacco chewer of the filthy habit and deserves a further trial among those who wish to break up the pernicious practice. I guess they didn't like people that chewed tobacco in 1898. I guess they didn't like people that chewed tobacco in 1898. The bark and powder may be administered in doses repeated five, six times a day. It's good for chronic rheumatism. Tinks are made by adding an ounce of the powder to a pint of brandy. Let it macerate or basically just kind of sit for 10 or 12 days shake it up about once a day is what we usually do keep it in a dark place don't put in the sun maybe given in tablespoon doses three times a day for the same purpose tincture made by adding two ounces

Starting point is 00:08:35 of the cones to a pint of brandy has long been used as a domestic remedy for dyspepsia and chronic rheumatism is given three or four times a day in doses of one to four fluid drachms we don't really use drachms so much anymore so it's kind of hard for me to tell you exactly what that measurement translates to but that was common dosage by pharmacists in the back then magnolia is contraindicated wherever inflammatory symptoms are present. So, though possessing undoubted tonic properties, magnolia is seldom employed. Plants for future states of grandiflora. The bark is diaphoretic, stimulant, and tonic. It's used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatism. Decoction has been used as a wash and a bath for prickly heat itching.

Starting point is 00:09:25 The decoction has also been used as a wash for sores and as a steam bath for treating dropsy. That's edema. An alcoholic extract of the plant reduces blood pressure, produces a slight acceleration in respiration, but has no action on the heart. The kumanata or cucumber tree. A tea made from the bark is anti-periodic, aromatic, mildly diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant, and tonic. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria.

Starting point is 00:09:54 An infusion has been used in the treatment of stomach ache and cramps. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit. A hot infusion of the bark has been snuffed to treat sinus problems and has also been held in the mouth to treat toothaches. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use. It does not store well, so should be renewed annually. A tea made from this fruit is a tonic used in the treatment of general debility and was formally esteemed in the treatment of stomach ailments. Macrophylla, an infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of stomach aches or cramps. A hot infusion of the bark has been snuffed for treating sinus problems

Starting point is 00:10:37 and has been held in the mouth for treating toothache. The interesting, I'm going to tell you about Virginiana, the Virginia Magnolia now, and this is actually rather interesting. Wait till you get to the last sentence of this statement. Tea made from the bark is anti-periodic, aromatic, diaphoretic, laxative, stimulant, and tonic. It has historically been used as a substitute for quinine in the treatment of malaria and is also taken internally in the treatments of colds, bronchial diseases, upper respiratory infections, rheumatism, and gout. The bark has been chewed by people trying to break the tobacco habit. The bark is harvested in autumn, dried for later use.

Starting point is 00:11:16 A tea made from the fruit is tonic, used in the treatment of general debility. Stomach on it, so here we go. The leaves or bark have been placed in cupped hands over the nose and inhaled as a mild hallucinogen I have never tried it I don't know if that's true or not if you have a Virginia magnolia maybe you ought not do that but if you do and you want to share the results of it let's send me an email yes I haven't found any other sources for that claim. Peterson Field Guide for Medicinal Plants says,

Starting point is 00:11:50 Cucumber, magnolia, bark tea, historically used in place of chinchona, the source of quinine, for malarial and typhoid fevers, also for indigestion, rheumatism, worms, toothaches, bark chewed to break the tobacco habit, fruit tea, a tonic for general debility and a steam for stomach ailments. Sweet bay, this is Virginia again, American Indians use leaf tea to warm blood, cure colds, traditionally bark used like that of Magnolia cumulata, bark used for rheumatism, malaria and epilepsy. And finally, botany in a day tells us magnolia.

Starting point is 00:12:33 The bark of magnolia is known for its aromatic and astringent properties. Now, remember, first century said it's not astringent. Well, botany in a day says it is astringent. But you've got to remember, Miss Greve was in England where they didn't even really have magnolias like we have in America. So, I'm going to go with what Botany of the Day says. A tea of the bark is used as a diaphoretic and for indigestion or diarrhea. Reportedly drinking the tea can help break the tobacco habit. So he's not even talking chewing tobacco, he's talking cigarette smoking, anything you do with tobacco.

Starting point is 00:12:59 So I think that's very valuable as a medicinal plant. But also, if you're trying to quit smoking, if you're trying to quit chewing tobacco or something, you might try magnolia bark. It certainly has that reputation. So, y'all, I hope you are staying safe and dry during this hurricane. It's right over me right now so um i'm going to go ahead and cut this one short in case the power goes out when we're getting a ton of rain so um winds aren't too bad right now and but they're supposed to pick up so i want to go ahead and get this one done quickly and i'll go ahead and post it And let's hope and pray everybody stays safe,

Starting point is 00:13:46 and I'll talk to you all next time. The information in this podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing I say or write has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I'm not a doctor. The U.S. government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and there is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm really just a guy who studies herbs. I'm not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write

Starting point is 00:14:14 or say is accurate or true. I can tell you what herbs have been traditionally used for. I can tell you my own experience and if I believe in herbs help me. I cannot nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use an herb anyone recommends, you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, a sensitivity, an underlying condition that no one else even shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to listen to my podcast or read my blog, you agree to be responsible for yourself, do your own research, make your own choices, and not to blame me for anything ever.

The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Magnolia

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