How To Use Relora Supplements For Stress and Weight Loss - The Benefits Of Relora

Relora is a combination of two traditional herbal remedies thought to help support responses to anxiety and stress, help maintain better mood and tranquility, support the adrenal system, enhance sleep, and to help you maintain a healthy weight through supporting the control of appetite.

The Relora supplement contains tree barks from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense. The combination of these two ingredients is thought to support healthy levels of the cortisol hormone (and this natural cortisol blocker can help naturally reduce levels even better than Relora®). This can lead to improved mood states, especially relating to stress, tension, fatigue, impairment, confusion, vigor, and global mood [1].

Cortisol is a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal gland, which is located just above the kidney. Its main role is in dealing with the body’s response to stress and it also has roles in controlling glucose concentration in the blood, in bone and collagen formation, the immune system response, and in the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.

Healthy levels of cortisol have been reported to have major benefits with regards to sleep, stress [2], memory, mood, wound healing, blood pressure, and electrolyte balance. It is therefore not surprising that having a healthy balance of the cortisol hormone is essential for human health.

Magnolia Officinalis (Houpu Magnolia or Magnolia-Bark)

This plant is native to the mountains of China. Its bark is aromatic and is known as hou po in Chinese traditional medicine.

Magnolia officinalis is rich in the polyphenols magnolol and honokiol [3]. These compounds are agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (a receptor that plays a role in the storage of fatty acids and in glucose metabolism) and can also modulate the expression of GABA_A (and so play a role in neurotransmission in the central nervous system).

The magnolol compound is able to cross the blood brain barrier and is thus likely to have nootropic effects. 

In addition to these two active neolignans, the bark of houpu magnolia contains numerous other bioactive compounds such as alkaloids and glycosides. 

As a potential nootropic, its influence on neuron activity through GABA_A modulation is likely to have positive effects on feelings of anxiousness and to offer support during times of stress.

The use of magnolia bark has long been thought to have sedative effects and both of its major compounds may help support the duration of REM and non-REM sleep [4].

Studies in rats suggest that the addition of the neolignans magnolol or honokiol to the diet may help to support weight control through increasing the metabolic rate [5]. 

Further research in rats suggests that the same two neolignans found in Magnolia bark may help to support bone health through suppressing the action of RANKL expression. It is also reported to support the body’s response to oral bacteria infection in the mouth, and thus support dental health [6].

With regards to neuro health, magnolol and honokiol are able to modify (increase) the affinity of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors [7]. These receptors play important roles in many aspects of brain health involving neurotransmission. The two neolignans are also reported to support acetylcholine release [8] and to increase the number of GABA_A receptors in mice. They are therefore likely to have neuro-protective effects and be able to enhance sleep [9].

Phellodendron Amurense (Amur Cork Tree; Shikerebe-Ni)

The Phellodendron amurense Corktree is native to the East Asian countries of China, Japan, and Korea. It is considered one of fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.

Amur cork tree has been traditionally used as a tonic to support the response to inflammation, and for liver and bone health. 

When used in conjunction with Magnolia officinalis (Relora Supplement) it may help overweight people return to a healthier weight. 

The plant has many bioactive components such as Limonoids, Berberine, Palmatine, and Jatrorrhizine [10]. The alkaloid Berberine may help to support the inflammatory response and play a role in cardiovascular and heart health.

It may also help to support a healthier weight through supporting healthy levels of cholesterol and glucose production [11]. 

The compounds found in Phellodendron amurense are also thought to have antioxidant properties. They confer these properties through activation of the enzyme Glutathione S-Transferase [12]. 

Extracts from the plant are able to target agonists of beta2-adrenoceptor [13]. This suggests that the plant may have fat burning properties. 

The combination of Phellodendron amurense and Magnolia officinalis in the some Relora supplements is expected to prove ideal for people looking to maintain a healthy balance of their stress hormones. It appears to have significant benefits relating to sleep, weight control, mood, and energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Relora?

It is a combination of barks from the trees Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense. 

What is Relora used for?

One of its main uses is in the support of stress. It is also of benefit for people hoping to have better weight control and to improve sleep quality.

What is an adaptogen?

Herbaceous plants that are able to support the health of the adrenal gland and help to support a healthy response to stress are known as adaptogenic herbs. 

What herb reduces cortisol?

In addition to Relora, other herbs thought to help block levels of cortisol hormone include Ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea, Ginseng, and Holy Basil (Adaptogens). Many of these are also available for sale from VitaMonk.

Any known side effects? What about Relora and Hair Loss?

For details on the potential side effects of this supplement blend we recommend reading the following article on WebMD [www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-188-MAGNOLIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=188&activeIngredientName=MAGNOLIA]. It is not recommended to take Relora if you are pregnant.

What is magnolia bark used for?

To support mood, to help maintain a tranquil state, support the response to anxiety, and to promote sleep.

What about Phellodendron amurense bark extract for skin?

The evidence for the use of Phellodendron bark as an effective skin tonic is very vague.

Does it support weight loss?

It has been reported in a study to help curb appetite compared to placebo, and it may therefore help in the support of a healthy weight.

Further Reading

Health Direct

• The role of cortisol in the body {https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/the-role-of-cortisol-in-the-body}

WebMD

• [1] Guide to Magnolia. {http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-188-MAGNOLIA.aspx?activeIngredientId=188&activeIngredientName=MAGNOLIA}
• [2] What are the side effects for Phellodendron?  {http://answers.webmd.com/answers/1188803/what-are-the-side-effects-for}

Drugs.com

• Magnolia bark extract uses, dosages/ doses and clinical pharmaceuticals interactions {https://www.drugs.com/npp/magnolia-bark-extract.html}

Livestrong

• Stress Reducing Techniques {http://www.livestrong.com/slideshow/1011067-15-stressreducing-techniques/}

Reddit

• Discussion and Reply: I Started Relora this week. It works for me {https://www.reddit.com/r/keto/comments/2y0310/started_relora_this_week_works_for_me/}

Scientific Research Citations, Reviews, Abstract Snippets, and References

[1] Talbott et al. Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora®) on cortisol and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition201310:37

DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-10-37

[2] Ranabir and Reetu. Stress and hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan-Mar; 15(1): 18–22. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.77573

[3] Wang et al. Isolation and purification of honokiol and magnolol from cortex Magnoliae officinalis by high-speed counter-current chromatography. J Chromatogr A. 2004 May 21;1036(2):171-5.

[4] Lin et al. Differential inhibitory effects of honokiol and magnolol on excitatory amino acid-evoked cation signals and NMDA-induced seizures. Neuropharmacology. 2005 Sep;49(4):542-50. 

[5] Kim et al. Long-term supplementation of honokiol and magnolol ameliorates body fat accumulation, insulin resistance, and adipose inflammation in high-fat fed mice. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2013 Nov;57(11):1988-98. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201300113.

[6] Ho et al. Antimicrobial activity of honokiol and magnolol isolated from Magnolia officinalis. Phytother Res. 2001 Mar;15(2):139-41.

[7] Tsai et al. Effects of honokiol and magnolol on acetylcholine release from rat hippocampal slices. Planta Med. 1995 Oct;61(5):477-9. 

[8] Matsui et al. Magnolol and honokiol prevent learning and memory impairment and cholinergic deficit in SAMP8 mice. Brain Res. 2009 Dec 11;1305:108-17. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2009.09.107.

[9] Chen et al. Magnolol, a major bioactive constituent of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, induces sleep via the benzodiazepine site of GABA(A) receptor in mice. Neuropharmacology. 2012 Nov;63(6):1191-9. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2012.06.031. 

[10] Zhang et al. Simultaneous determination of jatrorrhizine, palmatine, berberine, and obacunone in Phellodendri Amurensis Cortex by RP-HPLC. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2010 Aug;35(16):2061-4.

[11] Derosa et al. Effects of berberine on lipid profile in subjects with low cardiovascular risk. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2013 Apr;13(4):475-82. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2013.776037. 

[12] Lee et al. Isolation and characterization of a novel glutathione S-transferase-activating peptide from the oriental medicinal plant Phellodendron amurense. Peptides. 2006 Sep;27(9):2069-74. 

[13] Wang et al. A system for screening agonists targeting beta2-adrenoceptor from Chinese medicinal herbs. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B. 2009 Apr;10(4):243-50. doi: 10.1631/jzus.B0820340.