Hòu Pò (厚朴), known in English as Magnolia bark (Magnolia officinalis (bark)), is a warm, bitter and acrid Chinese herb from the Aromatic, transform damp category. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine channels. Its main action: dries Damp, moves qi, relieves fullness.
| Pinyin | Hòu Pò (Hou Po) |
|---|---|
| Chinese | 厚朴 |
| English | Magnolia bark |
| Botanical name | Magnolia officinalis (bark) |
| Category | Aromatic, transform damp |
| Nature | Warm |
| Flavour | Bitter, Acrid |
| Channels | Spleen, Stomach, Lung, Large Intestine |
| Dosage | 3–10g |
| Cautions | Pregnancy (use with caution); qi deficiency; fluid deficiency |
Actions
- Dries Damp, moves qi, relieves fullness
- Directs qi downward, reduces distension
- Transforms Phlegm, calms wheezing
Indications
- Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness, vomiting and diarrhoea
- Food and qi stagnation with distension and constipation
- Phlegm wheezing and cough with chest fullness
How to remember Hòu Pò
Aromatic, transform damp herbs are mostly warm or hot and acrid, and most enter the Stomach and Spleen channels.
- You can work these out
- Warm, Acrid, Spleen and Stomach channels: like most Aromatic, transform damp herbs
- Lung channel: from its action “Transforms Phlegm”
- Learn by heart
- Bitter: unusual for Aromatic, transform damp herbs (most are acrid)
- Large Intestine channel: nothing in its group or its actions points to it
Formulas containing Hòu Pò
Other Aromatic, transform damp herbs
Test yourself
What is the nature and flavour of Hòu Pò?
Hòu Pò is warm and bitter and acrid.
Which channels does Hòu Pò enter?
Hòu Pò enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung and Large Intestine channels.
What are the actions of Hòu Pò?
Dries Damp, moves qi, relieves fullness; Directs qi downward, reduces distension; Transforms Phlegm, calms wheezing.
What is Hòu Pò used for?
Damp obstructing Middle Jiao with fullness, vomiting and diarrhoea; food and qi stagnation with distension and constipation; Phlegm wheezing and cough with chest fullness.
Which formulas contain Hòu Pò?
Píng Wèi Sǎn, Sū Zǐ Jiàng Qì Tāng, Má Zǐ Rén Wán and Xiāng Rú Sǎn.
Practise Hòu Pò and the other 290 herbs
Recognise each herb from its picture, recall its nature, flavour, channels and actions, and review it again just before you would forget it.
Try the 5-question herb quizShen Study is a study tool. Doses and cautions are as taught in standard Chinese materia medica texts; they are not prescribing advice.