Nearly half of all cancer patients are experiencing unusually high levels of anxiety after their diagnosis. While anxiety is a normal reaction to a threat, it can lead to debilitating complications, such as nausea, irritability, insomnia and palpitations.
Doctors usually prescribe benzodiazepines to manage these complications by altering GABA receptors ?? parts of the brain that regulate mood, sleep and anxiety. The pills are quick and effective, but they are also associated with severe symptoms, including:
- cognitive impairment
- muscle weakness
- Confusion
- aggression
In some cases, benzodiazepines can even worsen insomnia or intensify depressive symptoms of a patient.
to avoid these side effects, some patients turn to natural health alternatives. One such alternative is magnolia bark, a powerful botanical that has long been a staple in Chinese medicine.
Magnolia Bark and Honokiol for anxiety
Magnolia bark is known for its anti-depressant, anti-nausea and anti-bacterial properties. Most of these benefits are attributed to honokiol, a woody substance found in the bark and cones magnolia grandiflora .
The bioactive compound is also an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) powerful agent. In one study, rats received daily injections of honokiol or diazepam (Valium) for seven consecutive days. Both treatments were equally effective in relieving anxiety rats. Interestingly, the honokiol dose was only half the dose of diazepam required to produce the same results.
Honokiol works by activating GABA receptors themselves some antianxiety drugs targets. Many naturopaths use of magnolia bark compounds to treat generalized anxiety disorder, anticipatory anxiety, panic disorder and similar conditions.
Studies also indicate that honokiol is less likely to cause negative side effects than prescription drugs anxiolytics. In a comparison of honokiol and diazepam, laboratory rats treated with diazepam known hyperactivity, learning disrupted, abnormal drowsiness and muscle relaxation. Honokiol treated rats do not experience any of these symptoms. The researchers of this study also suggest that honokiol was less likely than diazepam to induce dependence, amnesia or depression.
As an added bonus, some studies have shown that honokiol can induce programmed cell death in several cancers, such as lung cancer. In some cases this may even help to improve the patient's response to treatment. A Chinese study found that lung cancer patients who honokiol throughout their chemotherapy regime responded more positively to cisplatin in patients who were not taking the compound.
Honokiol and magnolia extract pills are available over the counter in many different forms. Honokiol is available on its own or as part of a general magnolia bark supplement. Magnolia bark is also one of the ingredients in Hange-koboku to Saiboku and to (all-natural remedies that combine five different herbs and 10, respectively). Although these remedies are available without prescription, patients should always consult a naturopath or oncologist before adding them to their treatment regimen.
Since your diagnosis, did you try all natural approaches to managing anxiety? Let us know on Facebook or in the comments below.
