Origin & tradition
Houpu (厚朴, Magnolia officinalis bark) moves qi, dries dampness, and relieves fullness in TCM. It is a key herb in Banxia Houpu Tang (半夏厚朴汤), the classic formula for plum-pit qi (anxiety/throat tightness).
Eastern tradition · Tonic Herbs
Honokiol (Houpu) 厚朴酚 / 厚朴
A neolignan from Magnolia bark that directly activates SIRT3, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and shows anxiolytic and anti-tumor effects.
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Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Honokiol & magnolol (neolignans from Magnolia officinalis bark).
Honokiol is a direct SIRT3 activator — enhancing mitochondrial deacetylase activity and reducing oxidative stress in cardiac tissue. It crosses the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers. It also inhibits mTOR and activates AMPK in cancer models. Human trials are limited to small anxiolytic/sleep studies, but preclinical aging data (SIRT3, senescence) is compelling.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anxiety / stress | Decreases | Moderate | C |
| SIRT3 / mitochondrial activity — Preclinical data; limited human RCTs | Increases | Minor | C |
| Inflammation markers | Decreases | Minor | C |
| Sleep quality | Increases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Honokiol (Houpu) is typically used
- Typical dose
- 10–40 mg/day
- Form
- capsule (magnolia bark extract standardized to honokiol)
- Timing
- evening preferred — mild sedating effect
Honokiol crosses the blood-brain barrier readily. Activates SIRT3 in mitochondria and has anxiolytic effects similar to benzodiazepines (GABA-A modulation) without dependence. Found in magnolia bark (厚朴, houpu). Often combined with berberine for metabolic effects.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
70Evidence confidence
Extensive human-trial evidence60 randomized controlled trials · 60 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Strong preclinical (SIRT3, mTOR); small human trials in anxiety and sleep
Honokiol is a direct SIRT3 activator — enhancing mitochondrial deacetylase activity and reducing oxidative stress in cardiac tissue. It crosses the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers. It also inhibits mTOR and activates AMPK in cancer models. Human trials are limited to small anxiolytic/sleep studies, but preclinical aging data (SIRT3, senescence) is compelling.
14registered clinical trials reference this intervention
0selected peer-reviewed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Honokiol & magnolol (neolignans from Magnolia officinalis bark) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-06-12. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Honokiol (Houpu) appears in
Compare the evidence
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