---
title: "Hou Po"
url: "https://books.drcassone.com/21/traditional-medicines-of-east-asia/513/hou-po"
---

 ![huo po, magnoliae officinalis cortex.jpg](/u/huo-po-magnoliae-officinalis-cortex-KTwtrb.jpg) 

# Hou Po

### Magnolia Bark

_acrid, bitter, warm_

#### PRIMARY FUNCTION:

**_Aromatic Herb that Transforms Dampness_**

CLASSICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
- Food stagnation
- Chest fullness
- Abdominal distention
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Wheezing
- Cough

Hou Po is bitter to detoxify and drain, acrid to break up and
disperse, and warm to treat cold patterns. It enters the large
intestine, spleen, stomach, and lung systems to treat conditions
involving dampness.

Hou Po’s effect on the lungs allows it to treat cough and wheeze
with phlegm.

**Channels:** lung, stomach, large intestine, spleen

COMMON APPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL
POSSIBILITIES:
- Pulmonary disorders
 - Pneumonia
 - Bronchitis
 - Asthma
 - Wheeze
 - Dyspnea
- Intestinal disorders
 - Diarrhea
 - Constipation
 - Dysentery

**Formulas:**
- Ban Xia Hou Po Tang
- Bao Chan Wu You Fang
- Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San
- Da Cheng Qi Tang
- Gui Zhi Jia Hou Po Xing Zi Tang
- Hou Po Wen Zhong Tang
- Huang Long Tang
- Huo Po Xia Ling Tang
- Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
- Ju He Wan
- Lian Po Yin
- Ma Zi Ren Wan
- Mu Xiang Liu Qi Yin
- Ping Wei San
- San Ren Tang
- Shi Pi Yin
- Si Wu Ma Zi Ren Wan
- Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
- Wei Ling Tang
- Wu Ji San
- Xiang Sha Yang Wei Tang
- Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
- Yi Jia Jian Zheng Qi San
- Zhi Shi Gua Lou Gui Zhi Tang
- Zhi Shi Xiao Pi Wan
- Zhi Shi Xie Bai Gui Zhi Tang
- Zhi Zi Hou Po Tang

**Contraindications:** prescribe Hou Po cautiously to pregnant
patients

**Zoo Image:** a skunk with a distended middle is carrying a burger and a
phlegm filled walking stick, he’s wheezing, qi rocks slide

[Cassone Wellness](https://cassonewellness.com/)