4 Benefits of Phellodendron Bark Extract (for Dopamine, Skin?)

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Table of Contents


What are the benefits of Phellodendron Bark?

The following are some benefits of Phellodendron bark:

  1. Antifungal activity: Studies show that Phellodendron bark extract causes significant inhibition of Candida Albicans and other strains of candida. The study suggests its use as a potential antifungal agent. 
  2. Anti-inflammatory activity: Animal studies show that Phellodendron bark extract reduces airway inflammation in mice suggesting that it can be used in the treatment of infectious pulmonary diseases.  
  3. Blood sugar management: Studies performed in mice show that treatment with the bark extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels and inhibited the development of diabetes-related kidney damage. 
  4. Anti-tumor effects: Phellodendron exhibits anti-tumor activity by inhibiting cell replication making it a potential suppressor of tumor growth. 

In the video below, Health Expert Karlene Karst gives a professional supplement review on Phellodendron Amurense, whose bark can be used to help illnesses like abdominal pain, diarrhea, and infections of the lung and urinary tract.

This is our recommended Phellodendron supplement (Amazon’s Choice):

Huang Bo Alcohol-Free Liquid Extract, Huang Bo, Huang Bai, Amur Cork Tree (Phellodendron Chinense) Bark Glycerite Hawaii Pharm Natural Herbal Supplement 2 oz

Does Phellodendron Bark affect Dopamine levels?

Phellodendron bark helps maintain or increase levels of dopamine by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down.

Dopamine is released into the brain and plays an essential role in various cognitive functions. However, an enzyme, monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) breaks it down reducing its level in the brain. Phellodendron bark extract has been identified as a potent MAO-B inhibitor even at very low concentrations. 

Another study confirming the above findings concluded that Phellodendron bark extract can be potentially used to create molecules to treat neurodegenerative diseases. 


What are the benefits of Phellodendron Amurense bark Extract for the Skin?

The following are some benefits of Phellodendron Amurense bark extract for the skin:

  • Antioxidant effect: It can protect the skin from free radical damage caused due to UV exposure.
  • May reduce acne: Studies show that Phellodendron amurense extract exerts an anti-acne activity and can be potentially used in cosmetics. 
  • Antibacterial activity: It possesses a mild antibacterial activity against the skin flora and can prevent possible skin infections. 
  • Can prevent Eczema: Studies on mice shows that after 14-day treatment with the aqueous extract of Phellodendron amurense bark, the skin returned to normal and also decreased the concentration of antibodies. 
  • Keeps skin hydrated: Phellodendron amurense bark extract helps keep skin moisturized and prevents dryness.

What are the benefits of using Magnolia Officinalis and Phellodendron Amurense together?

The following are some benefits of using Magnolia Officinalis and Phellodendron Amurense:

  • Can help manage weight: In a study, when overweight adult women were supplemented with Magnolia Officinalis and Phellodendron extract, the treatment group did not gain any weight during the treatment. The study was carried out for 6 weeks and it concluded that the treatment can decrease stress-induced eating, helping to manage weight. 
  • Decreases stress levels:  A study was carried out on 56 subjects who were given magnolia and Phellodendron extract, the study found that the treatment significantly reduced levels of cortisol as compared to the placebo group. The treatment group also showed an improvement in mood-related parameters. 

Can Phellodendron Amurense help with Anxiety?

Phellodendron Amurense can help decrease anxiety because it reduces the level of stress hormones. Consuming Phellodendron amurense extract also improves mood-related parameters. 

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of consuming Phellodendron amurense and magnolia extract on moderately stressed individuals. The study was conducted on 56 subjects who were stressed due to an intense exercise routine. The subjects were supplemented with the extract for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, researchers found significantly lower levels of cortisol in the treatment group as compared to the placebo group. Also, the subjects from the treatment group reported a marked improvement in mood-related parameters such as a reduction in fatigue, stress, and anxiety. 

Another study conducted on premenopausal women also found it helpful in reducing anxiety in the subjects. 

The researchers suggest that Phellodendron can be used as a natural therapy for treating anxiety and stress.  


What are the side effects of Phellodendron?

The following are some side effects of Phellodendron:

  • Heartburn
  • Shaking hands
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Thyroid dysfunction

The side effects were reported in only a few subjects undergoing studies. The short-term use of Phellodendron is safe, however, its side effects beyond 6 weeks of usage are unknown.

Supplementation with Phellodendron in pregnant and breastfeeding women is not recommended because one of its constituents, berberine, can cross the placenta and may affect fetus development. 


Is Phellodendron helpful for Sleep?

Phellodendron can be helpful for sleep because it reduces stress hormones and improves mood. Higher levels of cortisol can affect sleep and increase stress. Studies show that Phellodendron decreases cortisol levels, hence supplementation with Phellodendron can be useful to improve sleep.  

A study was conducted on prostate cancer patients to evaluate the effectiveness of Phellodendron to improve sleep quality and other effects. The trial was conducted on 45 to 75-year-old male patients for 6 months. After the study, the researchers reported improvement in sleep quality in the group consuming Phellodendron as compared to the placebo group.


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Sources

This article makes use of information from the U.S. National Library of Medicine under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

  1. Mazzio E, Deiab S, Park K, Soliman KF. High throughput screening to identify natural human monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Phytother Res. 2013 Jun;27(6):818-28. doi: 10.1002/ptr.4795. Epub 2012 Aug 8. PMID: 22887993; PMCID: PMC3521852.
  2. Park KS, Kang KC, Kim JH, Adams DJ, Johng TN, Paik YK. Differential inhibitory effects of protoberberines on sterol and chitin biosyntheses in Candida albicans. J Antimicrob Chemother. 1999 May;43(5):667-74. doi: 10.1093/jac/43.5.667. PMID: 10382888.
  3. Kim HJ, Kong MK, Kim YC. Beneficial effects of Phellodendri Cortex extract on hyperglycemia and diabetic nephropathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. BMB Rep. 2008 Oct 31;41(10):710-5. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2008.41.10.710. PMID: 18959817.
  4. Garrison R, Chambliss WG. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on weight management: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Altern Ther Health Med. 2006 Jan-Feb;12(1):50-4. PMID: 16454147.
  5. Talbott SM, Talbott JA, Pugh M. Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora®) on cortisol and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013 Aug 7;10(1):37. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-37. PMID: 23924268; PMCID: PMC3750820.
  6. Kalman DS, Feldman S, Feldman R, Schwartz HI, Krieger DR, Garrison R. Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutr J. 2008 Apr 21;7:11. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-7-11. PMID: 18426577; PMCID: PMC2359758.
4 Benefits of Phellodendron Bark Extract (for Dopamine, Skin?)
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