Thick magnolia flower, also known as diao gou flower, is mentioned in the book "New Reference for Herbal Medicine". It refers to the dried flower buds of the Magnolia officinalis Rehd.et Wils. or the Magnolia officinalis Rehd.et Wils. Var.biloba Rehd.et Wils, which are plants of the Magnoliaceae family. The flower buds are harvested in late spring, summer, and autumn before the flowers bloom. They are slightly steamed, dried, or low-temperature dried.
Processing method:
1. Thick magnolia flower: Take the original medicinal material, remove impurities and residual branches and stems, and sift away the ashes.
2. Ginger thick magnolia flower: Take clean thick magnolia flower, mix it with ginger juice, stir-fry it over low heat in a pot, remove it, and dry it.
3. Steamed thick magnolia flower: Wash the thick magnolia flower, place it in a container, steam for half an hour, remove it, and dry it.
Appearance:
The thick magnolia flower is conical in shape, with a brownish-red or brownish-brown surface. The flower stalk is blackish-green or dark brown. It is brittle and fragile, with a fragrant aroma and a mild taste. The ginger thick magnolia flower has the same shape as the thick magnolia flower but without a stalk. The color is darker and has a slight ginger aroma. The steamed thick magnolia flower has a darker color.
Quality requirements:
The thick magnolia flower should contain a total amount of honokiol (C18H18O2) and magnolol (C18H18O2) not less than 0.20%.
Processing effects:
The thick magnolia flower has a bitter and pungent taste, and it is warm in nature. It belongs to the spleen, stomach, and lung meridians. It has the functions of promoting Qi circulation, regulating the middle, and resolving dampness. It is used for liver and stomach Qi stagnation, chest and epigastric distention, poor appetite, loss of fragrance in food intake, cold and cough, etc. For example, if thick magnolia flower is used, decocted in water and taken orally, it can treat plum pit Qi (Zhejiang Medicinal Plants).
