Herb module

Xin Yi Hua

Magnolia FlowerMagnoliae lilliflorae

Fuzzy magnolia buds, picked before they open, are traditionally used to clear the nose and expel Wind-Cold.

★ Chief herb in Lung MeridianAlso inAllergy Relief · Atsáli

Xin Yi Hua is the flower bud of the magnolia tree. It has a special affinity for the Lung meridian and the nasal passages. It is traditionally used to expel Wind-Cold and open a stuffy nose. Zoi uses it in both Allergy Relief | Atsáli™ and Lung Meridian™ to help the breath move freely through the head and chest.

Best functions

Traditionally used to expel Wind-Cold
Unblocks and opens the nasal passages
Used to ease head discomfort around the sinuses
Has a specific action on the Lung meridian and the nasal openings

Fascinating facts

The part used is the unopened flower bud, gathered in late winter or early spring. Each bud is wrapped in soft, silky gray hairs that make it look a little like a small fuzzy brush.
Noa's herb notes remember Xin Yi Hua as 'the magnolia bud that opens the nose.' In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known for its special connection to the nasal passages.
Magnolias are among the oldest flowering plants on Earth. They appeared before bees did and were originally pollinated by beetles.
Zoi’s Lung Meridian™ fact sheet points to laboratory studies showing magnolia flower has antihistamine activity, and research suggests its aromatic oils may calm mast cells, the immune cells that release histamine.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine

Xin Yi Hua is slightly warm, with a pungent flavor, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is a Wind-dispelling herb.

Go deeperDownload the fact sheet on the Lung Meridian page

Biomedical deep dive

Xin Yi Hua Magnolia Flower

From the Zoi Medicinals fact sheets’ Biomedical Details, with lines from Noa’s herb notes marked “Noa’s notes”.

On the fact sheet

Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower, Magnoliae lilliflorae) is slightly warm and enters the LU and ST meridians; expels Wind-Cold and unblocks the nasal passages. Allergy Relief | Atsáli · Lung Meridian sheets

Key active constituents

Magnolin, a magnolia flower compound named in a cited allergy study (Atsáli sheet references).

Pharmacology and mechanisms

The Atsáli sheet says magnolia flower has activities directly related to the allergic response.
Magnolia flower has antihistamine activity through mast cell modulation (calming the cells that release histamine).
It has been shown to modulate allergic reactions and mast cell degranulation, the release of histamine.
The Lung Meridian sheet lists Magnoliae among herbs with strong anti-inflammatory action specific to the respiratory tract.
The Lung Meridian sheet says Magnoliae showed broad antimicrobial activity against Listeria, E. coli, Staph aureus, RSV, flu, SARS and other microbes.
Its volatile oils have antihistamine action; they inhibit IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (histamine release). · Noa’s notes
Antimicrobial against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus. Noa’s notes
Anti-inflammatory: inhibits PGE2 and nitric oxide synthesis in macrophages (immune clean-up cells). Noa’s notes

What the research says

In a clinical trial of 148 adults with asthma, magnolia flower extract alongside inhaled corticosteroids helped symptom control, quality of life and sleep (Park et al., Korean J Intern Med 2012).
Several Flos Magnoliae species inhibited histamine release from rat mast cells (Shen et al., Phytomedicine 2008).
Magnolin inhibited IgE-driven allergic reactions in lab and animal studies (Ma et al., Int Immunopharmacol 2019).

Safety, interactions and cautions

Every Zoi fact sheet: do not use if pregnant or breastfeeding unless directed by your health care practitioner.

In these Zoi formulas

★ Lung Meridian (#3 on the fact sheet)
Allergy Relief | Atsáli (#5 on the fact sheet)

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.