TENDER MAGNOLIA

Latin name: Magnolia officinalis

Family: Magnoliaceae

Useful parts:

• dried bark
• root-bark
• branch-bark
• flowers
• seeds

Native to North and Central America, the Himalayas and eastern Asia.

Magnolia has large and fragrant white, yellow, pink or purple flowers and beautiful leaves and cone like fruits. Leaves are evergreen and smooth-margined. The flowers are located at the branch tips and have three sepals, 6 to 12 petals and many spirally arranged stamens. Flower of magnolia has pleasant scent that resembles the smell of tropical fruit.

The flowers can be used to make essential oil. Magnolia essential oil is sometimes used to calm nerves . The bark and flower buds are used in China. 

Magnolia tea recipe

Ingredients

1 cup (250 milliliters) water

1 magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) flower

Bring the water to a boil. Place the magnolia in a cup and pour the hot water over it. Cover and leave to brew for half an hour.