If you’re sleeping badly, there are many different solution that can help you sleep deeper. You might have to make some lifestyle changes so that you can sleep better. But there are also many different supplements available to increase your sleep quality. And today we’re going to discuss magnolia bark for sleep. It’s an extract from the bark of the magnolia tree and people have been taking this herbal supplement for more than hundreds of years.
In today’s article you’ll find out what exactly magnolia bark is, how it can help you sleep better and some of the additional benefits that you can reap when you start taking this supplement. Note: it’s an herbal supplement, which means that the effect is subtle. Don’t expect it to work in the same way as Valium, for instance – which knocks you out right away. Magnolia bark extract will give you a subtle edge in falling asleep and enhancing deeper sleep. You might not fully notice it in the moment, but take it for a t least 2 weeks, and then look back and see if your sleep quality has increased. You’ll be surprised!
Magnolia Bark for sleep – does it work?
Magnolia bark has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many years to improve sleep quality and reduce stress. It is only recently that modern medicine has started to uncover the scientific roots why this herb promotes restful sleep. You can take the bark as a nutritional supplement to reduce stress and promote a relaxed state. This can be beneficial in many different parts of your life, but it comes in especially handy if you’re looking for a supplement that can help you sleep better.
The way the magnolia bark induces this sleepy, relaxed state is because it influences the GABA receptors in your brain. As you might know, GABA is the ‘slowing down’ neurotransmitter in your brain. It acts as a counter to the more excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and is responsible for turning down activity in brain cells. And that is exactly what you need when you cannot fall asleep at night.
We recommend you to take magnolia bark for sleep around 1-2 hours before going to bed. A general supplement of about 400 mg will work perfectly fine. There are no known side effects, so feel free to try it out. If you don’t feel too much (which you shouldn’t – remember it’s a subtle effect), then you could take 2 dosages for a total of 800 mg.
There are more benefits to taking magnolia bark. take a look at the following list to see what else this bark extract can do for you.
4 benefits of taking Magnolia bark for sleep
#1 Helps reduce anxiety
Researchers have only recently found out that magnolia bark can have an effect in reducing your anxiety levels. You see, that GABA we spoke about before not only help to induce sleepiness, but it can also turn down the activity of the brain cells that are overactive. And that is exactly what happens in your brain if you’re excessively worrying. If you’re suffering from anxiety in your daily life, then it can be a good idea to add this herb to your daily regime. It might be just what you need to live a more calm and relaxed life. (l theanine is also very effective for this)
#2 Promotes deeper sleep
As we discussed before, taking magnolia bark for sleep will make you sleep deeper. Not only that, but an animal studie in 2012 has shown that magnolia bark works by letting GABA bind to receptors in your brain which decreases the time it takes for them to fall asleep. Of course, the ancient Chinese already knew everything about this, but it’s always a good thing to see science back up these claims.
#3 Decreases cortisol levels in your blood
A study in 2013 showed that magnolia bark extract can help with reducing cortisol in participants of the study. Cortisol is the stress hormone and responsible for the fight or flight reaction in your body. If you’re suffering from excess stress, then the chances are very high that you’re actually suffering from excess cortisol in your blood. Or try petting a cat to reduce it 😉
The hormone itself is vital in our bodies, but it only becomes a problem if it is elevated for a longer period of time. When your stress levels fall, your cortisol levels will fall too. And the other way around as well. So taking magnolia bark can help you experience less stress in your life.
#4 May reduce inflammation
Researchers have also shown that taking magnolia bark may reduce inflammation in your body – just like exercise. As you may know, inflammation is responsible for many different diseases and you’d do well to avoid as much inflammation as possible. Animal studies have shown that magnolia bark has the potential to reduce inflammation. Even though no definitive human studies have been done, it shows that there are many more reasons to take magnolia bark than just for improving sleep quality. (You can also get a new high quality mattress that makes you sleep comfortable.)
Where to order magnolia bark for sleep?
Interested in getting yourself some magnolia bark extra to increase your sleep quality after reading this article? it’s a cheap supplement that you can buy in most drug stores or in online shops. So you won’t have to go on a long journey to find it.
I’d recommend you try it out for a round 2 weeks (400 mg 1-2 hours before bed) in order to see if it works for you. Not only will you experience better sleep, but it can also reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Which will make you sleep even better. You can get the supplement in virtually every drug store. Or alternatively, you can order it online if that’s more convenient for you.
P.S. did you know magnolia bark has been used for more than thousands of years in ancient Chinese medicine? And you can now order this herbal supplement from Amazon and have it delivered straight to your door if you want to sleep better.
