Cortex Magnoliae

Cortex Magnoliae

(Tianmu Zhi Zhi, Zhejiang)

[source] the bark of Liriodendron, a Magnoliaceae plant.

[plant morphology] Liriodendron, also known as Liriodendron chinense, shuangpiaoshu.

Deciduous trees, up to 15 m high. Bark dark brown, longitudinal crack. The leaves are alternate, 4-18 cm long and 5-20 cm wide, with flat or slightly concave top, round or shallow heart-shaped base, 2 lobes formed in the middle of each edge, apex of lobes pointed or obtuse; petiole thin, 4-8 cm long. Flowers solitary at the top of branches, cup-shaped, green outside, yellow inside; sepals 3, spreading; petals 6, erect, 3-4 cm long; stamens numerous, filaments about 5 mm long, anthers extroversive; carpels numerous, imbricate arranged on the fusiform receptacle. The aggregate fruit is yellowish brown, ovoid and long conic, 7-9 cm long. It is composed of winged nutlets with 1-2 seeds. The flowering period is May. The fruit period is from September to October.

Wild in the valley forest or shady slope ditch side; or cultivated for ornamental. It is distributed in Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Hubei, Sichuan and other places.

The root of this plant (Liriodendron chinense L.) is also used for medicine. Please refer to the special section for details.

[function indications] it is used to treat cough, shortness of breath, thirst and slight floating of limbs caused by water dampness and wind cold. Take one or two dried bark, coriander, yam (yinxingcao) for five to six yuan each, three pieces of ginger for three yuan, fried in water, brown sugar, once in the morning and once before dinner.