Magnolia Flower Essential Oil

Adam Michael has this to say “The fragrance journey of this magnolia flower essential oil is sublime. The opening is sweet sparkling champagne, peach juice, white florals and apple crispness. This follows with sweet tea notes, milk creaminess and lashings of white floral goodness and orange blossom sparkle. Tea rose, magnolias, freesias and green note surprises also await you. The longevity is wow and this material is a must for imparting warmth and fruit floral softness into both floral and oriental accords. We also offer both magnolia heart e.o and magnolia leaf e.o.

This magnolia flower essential oil is of Chinese origin and produced by steam distillation of the highly fragrant blossoms. It is of thin viscosity, orange-red in colour and the major chemical constituents are geraniol, citral, limonene, beta-pinene and methyl eugenol.

I do want to add that whilst the Michelia and Magnolia genus both belong to the dicotyledonous family called Magnoliaceae, the therapeutic uses are different.

It’s well documented magnolia species have been subject to phytochemical investigation with the aim to better understand, isolate and re-employ (so to speak) the biologically active feel good/human protection compounds into pharma applications. This is because for centuries across Asia, Magnolia species have been used in traditional medicines such as Wuu-Ji-San, Shimpi-to and Sai-boku. Whilst most are heavily reliant on the bark these traditional medicines have exceptional – sedative qualities, ability to – strengthen the functioning of the intestine and stomach, dissolving the stagnation of peripheral blood circulation in micro vessels, reducing oedema/dropsy and treating dry coughs.

To better understand this, we have to look at the secondary metabolic compounds found in the plant parts in question. When I talk about secondary metabolic compounds I’m referring in particular to a benzylisoquinoline alkaloid called magnocurarine which has a relaxing effect upon the skeletal muscles and is present in various magnolia species including M.obovata, M.kobus, M. grandiflora and M. denudata. Without over generalising the 40 or so akaloids are simply known for the positive physiological impact on humans and animals.

Then we have neolignans, generally neolignans are no great shakes as they are found in many plant families and have little chemotaxonomic value BUT that’s not the case with magnolol and honokiol neolignans which are found in several magnolia species. Many people maybe aware of a drug class called benzodiazepines which are known for the anxiolytic effect and thus used for treating anxiety, panic attacks, insomnia, depression, muscle relaxation and much more. The honokiol neolignan works by inhibition of several areas of the brain such as the hypothalamic and reticular formation ascending activating systems as well as the spinal cord. It has the same anxiolytic impact as benzodiazepines, yet it comes with heavily reduced (if any), benzodiazepine side effects. Magnol neolignan in studies has been shown to prevent stress induced gastric ulcers and it seems it does this by inhibiting secretion of hydrochloric acid. I would add if anyone wish to research further, maybe start by looking at the leaf of Magnolia obovata, this plant part contains 15 different akaloids and the bark of this plant is packed with neolignans, so quite the superstar material.”

Botanical Name: Michelia alba

Origin: China

Wholesale weights (all prices excluding vat): 50G = 190 Euros. 100G = 380 Euros.