Objectives :
The aim of this study is to find the therapeutic meaning of the Magnoliae Cortex in herbal medication.
Methods :
About the origin, the component, the processing the drug, the properties and tastes of drugs, the meridian tropism, the effects, the treating disease, the contraindication and the method of administration, I have researched 27 literatures to mention the Magnoliae Cortex in time sequence.
Results :
1. The source of Magnoliae Cortex is from the dried bark of branch, root of Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils. or M. officinallisRehd. et Wils. var. biloba Rehd. et Wils.. In Korea and Japan, the bark of M. ovobata Thunberg is used as a substitute. and In Korea, Machilus thunbergii is misused as Magnoliae Cortex.
2. The medicinal material is skined during April, May and June. Bark of branch and root are directly dried in shade and the dried bark is put in boiling water for a while and then piled in the wet shade. The crude one may be used or the prepared one with ginger juice is used.
3. The properties is bitter in taste and pungent in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the spleen, stomach, lung and intestine meridians.
4. Magnoliae Cortex has been used to treat stagnant qi in the spleen and stomach, focal distention of gastric cavity and vomiting and diarrhea, food accumulation and constipation, phlegm-fluid retention with cough and dyspnea, stagnation of dampness damaging the middle, abdominal distention and constipation because it is effective on transforming dampness and guides out stagnation, activates circulation of qi warming the middle, reduces phlegm and calms wheezing, drives qi downward and eliminates fullness.
5.Magnoliae Cortex is contraindicated in the weak and pregnant women and incompatible with Alismatis Rhizoma and Niter.
6. 4~12g is used in decoction for oral use.
7. Magnoliae Cortex will be useful to treat a cold, diseases of the digestive system, musculoskeletal diseases.
Conclusions :
This study showed that the Magnoliae Cortex will be useful to treat a cold, diseases of the digestive system, musculoskeletal diseases.

KeyWords : Magnoliae Cortex