Magical and Medicinal Uses of Magnolia

Gender: Feminine
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth
Powers: Abundance, Banishment, Fedility, Fertility, Growth, Self-Reliance, Tranquility, Wisdom
Magical Uses and History: Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus named the famously fragrant magnolia in 1737 in honor of the French botanist Pierre Magnol, who was one of the first to describe Magnolia virginiana, the American species of magnolia known throughout the South. The earliest record of the magnolia (Magnolia mexicana) in the West was Aztec illustrations of the flowers, which were commonly used as a flavoring for a chocolatey, foaming drink known as chocolatl. This gave the drink a spiced, ginger flavor which was often combined with chili to produce a truly warming drink.

Across the ocean in China, the magnolia was highly regarded as a traditional symbol of feminine beauty, purity, gentleness, and nobility due to its stately nature, elegant perfume, and luscious white blooms. During the Tang dynasty, magnolias were planted on the grounds of the emperor's palace and all magnolias were deemed the property of the emperor. To be gifted a magnolia by the emperor was a great honor and was believed to bring luck, prosperity, and happiness. As such, magnolia flowers can be used in glamour spells for beauty, to quell arguments, to promote confidence, to bring abundance, or to bring gentleness to spells and rituals. The flowers also make great offerings to feminine deities and ancestors. In Japan, the magnolia was often used in wedding bouquets, where they represented purity and strength of love while in Europe magnolias were given as a gift to make up for wronging a partner (cheating) to symbolize pure intentions. As such, magnolias are often associated with love and fidelity and can be used in spells and rituals to ensure your partner remains faithful or turned into a talisman to place under or over the bed to ensure marital happiness.

Apart from its symbolism, the magnolia has also been historically used for healing, especially in Chinese medicine where its bark, flowers, and resin were used to treat rheumatic problems, insomnia, anxiety, depression, cough, diarrhea, and a host of other ailments. As such, magnolia can be used in spells and rituals for health and wellness. Despite it traditionally being used medicinally, multiple cultures warn against sleeping under a magnolia, which was believed to bring death due to its powerful fragrance. Even placing a single flower blossom in a bedroom was thought to cause death overnight. Because of this, magnolia flowers and their accompanying scent have been associated with banishment. Use magnolia flowers or essential oil to remove unwanted energies from your home while replacing them with uplifting, loving ones or to hex/curse your enemies. 

Magnolia can be used in a number of spells including:

    Fidelity Spells
    Love Spells

    Glamour Magic
    Banishing Magic

    Abundance Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Magnolia bark contains magnolol and onochiol, two phenolic compounds that act as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. These phenolic compounds have also been shown to reduce stress, thus soothing anxiety and insomnia. The flower buds are natural emmenagogues, helping regulate menstruation and stimulate menstrual flow, and as such should not be used if you are pregnant or wishing to become pregnant. There are many species of magnolia and most, if not all, are edible and safe to use, but always check before use.

Preparation and Dosage: To create a magnolia bark tea, rinse and soak the bark for at least 30 minutes in cold water. Bring the water to a boil then reduce the heat to a simmer. cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink up to three times a day. If used as a sleep aid, drink 30 to 60 minutes before bed. As a tincture, take up to 2 milliliters a day. If making a tea from the flower petals, pour boiling water over fresh petals. Let steep for 10 minutes before straining. Drink up to three times a day.

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