MAGNOLIA: A GIFT FROM NATURE!

Dr. Riccardo Matera, Research and Department

There Magnolia officinalis is one of tree species belonging to the family of Magnoliaceae , native to Asian countries, such as China, Thailand, Korea and Japan.
From the bark and from his pine cones (or strobili) extracts are obtained used in medicinal preparations of oriental medicine. In particular, the bark of Magnolia, in the form of decoction or herbal tea, is used by more than 2000 years in the Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of various disorders, such as cough, asthma and problems with the gastrointestinal or urinary system. An oriental herbal preparation that includes the Magnolia , called “Saiboku-to”, is still used today for improve asthma symptoms and at the same time relieve states of anxiety and nervous tension.

Properties of the Magnolia

Its properties are due to the presence of phenolic compounds (allyl-phenols), in particular the magnololo And the honochiole.

They have been attributed different pharmacological activities to Magnolia, including anti-platelet, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and, recently, also anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor properties.
THE bioactive components from the Magnolia (especially the honokiol) have also received great attention from the scientific community which has studied their pharmacological effects in the treatment of stress, anxiety and of depression. Other activities demonstrated in scientific studies should be considered antioxidant properties , anti-inflammatory And liver protectors.

The important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Magnolia they have also been explored in the cosmetic field. Very recently, great interest has been directed at antimicrobial properties in products for topical use, in fact, in young skin shows beneficial effects in limit the activity of bacteria connected to juvenile acne. Recent studies have also shown that magnolol and honochiol are able to influence the cellular activity of microbes, conferring an anti-cariogenic action. into products oral-care.

Thanks to such antibacterial properties the bark extract Magnolia It has important cosmetic applications and is like new natural preservative and organic both as an ingredient from antiseptic properties And dermo-hygienic , useful in prevent infections of the skin. There Magnolia officinalis could represent a valid alternative to preservatives already in use in cosmetic formulations with the advantage of also being a functional active ingredient on the skin, i.e. performing a doubly useful and precious action.

Magnolia: a precious ingredient in the BeC lines

For these reasons, we have included Magnolia extract in numerous products of the traditional BeC line.

Particularly in the Nuova Maschera and in the Pasta Idrogel, where it plays an important role skin purifying action and in the VelvÈ lenitive cream, where the magnolol and honochiol and the active ingredients present in Magnolia, they act synergistically to counteract cellular aging, alleviate states of irritation and help limit oxidative processes affecting the skin.

Thanks to its "clean" preparation process ed eco-sustainable , approved by eco-bio certifying bodies such as Ecocert, it was also possible to use the extract of Magnolia in our new BIO Terra biocare line, in a formulation specially designed for the treatment of impure but delicate skin, the new organic face cream PuraBi.

In conclusion, the bark of Magnolia with his synergistic properties confirms itself as a gift of nature: traditionally used for centuries for relaxing and calming properties , recently revealed valuable antioxidant, antimicrobial and dermohygienic properties used wisely in natural cosmetics.