Woman in her late 30s feeling supported, calm, and relaxed

Two Calming Traditional Secrets We Won’t Gatekeep

Medicinal plants have been some of the best-kept cultural secrets for thousands of years. In recent decades, the therapeutic blend of Magnolia bark with Passionflower found within NeuroCalm™ has emerged as an effective strategy to help settle a busy mind. We set out to learn more about this combination, which can help you respond calmly under stressful circumstances.  

Calming Magnolia Bark Builds Stress Resilience

Indigenous to China, Magnolia Bark culturally represents nobility, resilience, and grace. On a deeper level, Magnolia supports these qualities from the inside out. Studies show that Magnolia bark is rich in plant chemicals that protect the brain from stress. Through its protective abilities, Magnolia can limit the burden of stress on brain regions that help us calmly process stress, known scientifically as the frontal lobe.¹,²

“The frontal lobe allows our body to determine the true gravity of stress. It gives the body a moment to process whether the situation really needs a flood of stress hormones to go into battle or escape…. It’s like the brain double-checking with body before it activates the stress response.”

In summary, taking Magnolia can help us to effectively manage our brain's response to ongoing stress, ultimately building our confidence and resilience during challenging times.²,³

Magnolia Bark Supports Our Ability to Process Stress 

Natively, Magnolia thrives in colder climates, meaning that Magnolia bark is no stranger to uncomfortable conditions. Similarly, being in a constant state of stress can feel uncomfortable, whether it’s feeling mentally distracted, emotionally sensitive, or physically tense.

Our body is designed to handle acute stress, which comes and goes like the seasons. However, issues arise when stress becomes persistent. For example, our brain switches on 'fight or flight mode' to help us manage competing priorities and situations that require our focus and attention. But when this mode doesn't switch off, stress can become chronic, impairing our brain's ability to process stress effectively.


“When stress becomes chronic, it can accelerate cell damage within the frontal lobe, which can ‘shrink’ our parts of the brain that enable us to to process stress clearly.² Without the full ability to process stress, the brain can become more emotionally, physically and mentally reactive.”

This highlights the benefits of Magnolia bark to support our ability to process multiple forms of stress in a more balanced way.


Image of Magnolia tree

Passionflower Restores Inner Peace 

Native to South America, this striking flower is known for its speedy ability to settle a frazzled nervous system. Thanks to its soothing flavonoid compounds, passionflower can increase calming signals throughout the brain within 30 minutes.⁴ These compounds work by activating calming receptors, known scientifically as GABA receptors,⁵⁻⁷ allowing the body to relax mentally and physically.⁶⁻⁸ Researchers note that it can take the edge off intense stress, like going to the dentist when it feels scary.⁴,⁹

Two Calming Traditional Secrets to Soothe High Stress Levels

To support a healthy stress response, a combination of Magnolia bark with Passionflower found within NeuroCalm™ can provide health benefits to help you feel calm and collected. This is how they work together in the body:

  • Magnolia bark helps shield stress-regulating parts of the brain from being negatively impacted by stress. This ultimately helps us feel more balanced, mentally and emotionally.¹,³  
  • Passionflower helps balance signals that activate the body’s stress response. This allows the brain to feel calmer when it’s dealing with challenging situations.⁶⁹

To learn more about effective natural medicines to support a healthy stress response, click here to read about effective solutions. If you’re struggling with high levels of stress, we suggest reaching out to a Healthcare Practitioner who can guide you with a personalised plan.⁴⁻⁹

Support Resilience to Stress with Magnolia Bark and Passionflower

Stressful situations can happen anywhere, anytime. Whether it's dealing with a difficult conversation, facing a tight deadline, or feeling overwhelmed with daily responsibilities, Magnolia Bark and Passionflower can provide the support you need to soothe your stress response. By incorporating these plants into your routine, you can build resilience and find a sense of balance even in the most challenging times.

 

References

  1. Cheng J, Dong S, Yi L, Geng D, Liu Q. Magnolol abrogates chronic mild stress-induced depressive-like behaviors by inhibiting neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex of mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2018;59:61-67. doi:10.1016/j.intimp.2018.03.031
  2. McEwen BS, Gray J, Nasca C. Recognizing resilience: learning from the effects of stress on the brain. Neurobiol Stress. 2015;1:1-11. doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2014.09.001
  3. Woodbury A, Yu SP, Wei L, García P. Neuro-modulating effects of honokiol: a review. Front Neurol. 2013;4:130. Published 2013 Sep 11. doi:10.3389/fneur.2013.00130
  4. Dantas LP, de Oliveira-Ribeiro A, de Almeida-Souza LM, Groppo FC. Effects of Passiflora incarnata and midazolam for control of anxiety in patients undergoing dental extraction. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2017 Jan 1;22(1):e95-e101. doi: 10.4317/medoral.21140
  5. Appel K, Fiebich BL, Weiss G, Hoffmann C. Modulation of the y-aminobutric acid (GABA) system by Passiflora incarnate L. Phytotherapy Research. 2011; 25(6):838-843.
  6. Aslanargun P, Cuvas O, Dikmen B, Aslan E, Yuksel MU. Passiflora incarnata Linneaus as an anxiolytic before spinal anesthesia. J Anesth. 2012 Feb;26(1):39-44. doi: 10.1007/s00540-011-1265-6
  7. Savage K, Firth J, Stough C, Sarris J. GABA-modulating phytomedicines for anxiety: A systematic review of preclinical and clinical evidence. Phyto Res. 2018;32:3-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5940
  8. Ansseau M, Seidel L, Crosset A, Dierckxsens Y, Albert A. A dry extract of Passiflora incarnata L. (Sedanxio) as first intention treatment of patients consulting for anxiety problems in general practice. Acta Psychiatrica Belgica 2012;112(3):5-11.
  9. da Cunha RS, Amorim KS, Gercina AC, de Oliveira ACA, Dos Santos Menezes L, Groppo FC, Souza LMA. Herbal medicines as anxiolytics prior to third molar surgical extraction. A randomized controlled clinical trial. Clin Oral Investig. 2021 Mar;25(3):1579-1586. doi: 10.1007/s00784-020-03468-1
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