Relora is a natural stress reliever available in capsule form. Relora is made from Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense, a patent-pending mixture. Relora is said to be able to help individuals relax and to regulate negative stress-related behaviors such as compulsive eating.
A study published in the April 2008 "Nutrition Journal" listed some benefits to individuals using Relora for short-term anxiety and stress. Unfortunately, the benefits were not the same for individuals with higher stress levels or stress-related behaviors. These individuals received no relief when taking Relora.
Relora is still patent-pending, and is not regulated by the FDA. Consult a physician prior to beginning any herbal treatment to discuss potential side effects or contraindications with other medications.
Magnolia Officinalis
According to the "Sheng Nong Ben Cao Chien" translated as "The Herbal Classic of the Divine Plowman,", written in approximately 100 BC and China's earliest known pharmacopoeia, Magnolia officinalis is a common Chinese herbal remedy. It has been prescribed as a cough remedy and to lower blood pressure. The leaves and bark are added to soups and teas to be sipped throughout the day.
Flora, a herbal company, lists Magnolia officinalis as an anti-stress remedy, stating that its chemical properties control the levels of cortisone, the body's stress hormone. Its bark is full of two biphenol compounds, magnolol and honokiol, thought to be the main components of magnolia's stress-relieving properties.
Philodendron Amurense
Phellodendron amurense is a tree native to Asia, especially China and Japan. It is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, known by Huang Bai, as an antibacterial remedy for urinary system ailments and vaginal infections. Considered safe by holistic practitioners, Phellodendron amurense comprises phytochemicals with healthy benefits such as palmatine which is added to Relora as a vasodilator, or blood vessel relaxer.
Other Ingredients
Relora comes in pill form, and the remaining ingredients listed are inactive and used for tableting and formulary purposes. Gelatin, glycerin and water are used to form the soft gel capsules, and depending on the manufacturer of Relora, additional ingredients may be added to form the capsule. Some of the additional ingredients may include cellulose or magnesium stearate, or silica to provide shape and structure to the soft gel capsules.
