She may have been the oldest Magnolia I ever saw, she was quite magnificent! But, Did you know? that Magnolias evolved on Earth as far back as 95 million years ago during the Cretaceous period. Magnolias evolved very early in the plant family tree, much earlier than our native flowering trees. They are native to areas such as North, Central and South America, as well as Sri Lanka parts of India, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Japan and Korea. They are considered to be among the oldest of the flowering plants The magnolia tree evolved before bees and butterflies did so her petals are unusually thick, tough enough for the large flightless beetle pollinators that were around at the time. The Magnolia flowers are relatively simple when compared to other flowers. Pollen structures are arranged so that insects searching for a nectar reward will haphazardly bump into them and subsequently spread pollen as they amble from flower to flower.
It is thought that the name of the flower was proposed by Charles Plumier in honor of Pierre Magnol, a 17th century French botanist who helped to determine that plants came in families and not just species.
Did you know that Magnolia petals are edible?
The Buds, flowers, and leaves in various stages of growth have edible uses. Both petals and magnolia 'pineapples' (the centre of the flowers) can be used for flavoring.
The surprising flavor of the petals can be described as floral, cardamon, cucumber, citrus, mild chilli and ginger notes. Generally speaking the darker pinks and mix of white and pink will have the strongest flavors. The white petals have the weakest flavor.
There are many ways to use this plant in the kitchen;
Herbal tea
Salad
Pickle
Dried as a spice
Simple syrup
In Asian cuisine after removing the calyxes, the buds are pickled and used to flavor rice, and to scent tea. In Japan, the young leaves and flower buds are broiled and eaten as a vegetable. Older leaves are made into a powder and used as seasoning; dried, whole leaves are placed on a charcoal brazier and filled with miso, leeks, daikon, and shiitake, and broiled. There is a type of miso which is seasoned with Magnolia, hoba miso.
Magnolia Petal Tea
Pop a few petals in a teapot, pour on boiling water and leave to brew for 10 minutes. The flavor is subtle but tasty.
Magnolia as a Spice
Drying magnolia petals is another way of preserving the flavor and bringing out its subtle tastes. Though the flavor also changes in time and will vary depending on the species of magnolia. I love to add this flavor to my rice.
Magnolia Syrup
The first thing you need to do is remove the petals from the central ovaries with their attached stamens, those parts are bitter tasting. Once you picked your magnolia petals from the tree they have a very short shelf life before they begin to turn.
You’ll need
4 cups of Magnolia Petals
2 cups of sugar ( I use raw cane sugar but I do loose the subtle color of the Magnolia as the sugar is darker- you could use a white sugar)
2 cups of water
Combine the water and sugar in a large pot with a heavy bottom and bring to a boil. Add the flower petals and turn the heat down to a low simmer.Simmer for 20 minutes.Turn off heat and steep for 5 minutes. Strain.
Now the fun part, what to do with your syrup?
Pour over pancakes/waffles/ice cream. Bake with it Muffins/Scones. Use as a drizzle over a cake. Add to seltzer for a magnolia soda or make Magnolia Cocktails.
My Favorite Magnolia Cocktail
1 1/2 oz of a botanical gin
1 oz of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1oz of Magnolia Syrup
+ a couple of drops of your favorite “Bitters” blend
Shake over ice, and top of with seltzer
ADD Rabbithole: Rita Angus is New Zealand’s most famous female painter, I discovered her when trying to learn about one woman artist from every country of the world. (More coming on this project soon). A committed feminist, and a pacifist, Angus’ work was deeply entwined with her view of the world. In 1955, Rita Angus bought a house in the inner-city Wellington suburb of Thorndon. It was a quiet, private place, tucked away down a narrow path and set in an overgrown garden. A magnolia tree grew beside the front veranda. This magnolia tree can be seen in the background of the self portrait above.
Magnolia is also Medicinal
Many magnolia species are an important ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine. There are over 200 species in the Magnolia genus; the whitebark magnolia (M. obovata) is most used today in China for patent medicines. Magnolia as medicine has been well-studied.
Traditionally, the bark of the tree was used to treat dampness (or sluggishness) and constipation of the digestive tract. It was also recommended for relieving menstrual cramps, bloating, nausea, and indigestion. In some cases, magnolia was a suggested remedy for coughs and asthma.
The bark contains the chemicals honokiol and magnolol, which are believed to be the reason for its effectiveness. Honokiol appears to be a super effective muscle relaxer and useful for alleviating anxiety, with no apparent side effects (that’s herbalism for you) and Magnolol shows anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activity, and also appears to support the body’s natural production of adrenal steroids. Together this means that magnolia bark may act as an effective anti-inflammatory, help with blood sugar control, and support brain health. Of course I do not recommend products which standardize these constituents rather consulting with a holistic herbalist and using whole plant medicine.
Here in North American herbalism there isn’t much of a market for magnolia bark. Almost all of the bark in the herb market is cultivated in the Zhejiang province of China, where it’s known as hou pu. Most of the demand is domestic, with only small amounts of bark exported to the United States, specifically for immigrant populations who still use it, mostly in the form of patent medicines.
Most herbal suppliers in the U.S. don’t offer magnolia, even though we have our own supply of the trees.
Spiritual healing w/ Magnolia Essence
I recommend spending the afternoon connecting with a Magnolia tree, sitting under it back against its spine and breathing deeply, and journalling. To deepen this experience you could take a few drops of a Magnolia flower essence. I have long used magnolia essence as a way to build resilience and endure/overcome external forces. I find it blends well with a few drops of Dandelion Flower essence. (you’ll often find dandelions blooming in May around the Magnolia trees) I also find a few drops of magnolia flower essence helps connect us to the now. If you don’t have the flower essence simply sip on the tea, or put a few of her petals into your water bottle.
I love what Green Hope Farm says about the use of Magnolia Flower Essence as a support around birth be it birth of a baby being or birth of a new creative project
Magnolia eases the stress newborns experience during birth and helps them merge body and soul fully, something that usually happens for the first time at birth. It is helpful for the mother to take before and during delivery and for the baby to receive right after birth and then for several weeks post-partum. Putting a drop on a baby's forehead is all that is necessary.
-Supports the birth of any creative endeavor.
-Helps ground the new in our lives.
-Offers a different but equally supportive midwife energy at death.
-Can be used to help us let go of anything that, for our well
-being and growth, must die in our lives.
The endurance and strength of the magnolia trees and flowers have made them a symbol of everlasting connections, which is why Magnolia flowers are common in wedding bouquets, although each flower color also has its own symbolism
White magnolia flowers: purity and perfection
Pink magnolia flowers: youth, innocence, and joy
Purple magnolia flowers: good luck and health
Green magnolia flowers: joy, health, luck, and good fortune
In the Southern States especially in Georgia, people used to plant a magnolia trees in every garden bed because it was said it bought luck and economic stability. The magnolia tree is the state tree of Mississippi as well as its state flower. The magnolia flower is also the state flower of Louisiana.
Around the world the magnolia represents different things in China it represents purity and nobility and Japan it is called “Hanakotoba” and represents a love for nature, nobility, perseverance, dignity.
The wood of the Magnolia has also been used for house building or furniture construction.
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Next week the paid subscribers will be receiving a special post on “Early Spring Medicine Plants”
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Spring and Summer Classes Round up:
Featured event
Sat May 4th May Day Craft Fair at Blazing Star Herbal School
Sun May 5th New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill Boyleston MA
Intro to Cyanotype workshop (sold out)
Wed-Thurs May 15-16th Provincetown Art Museum
Fri May 17th Provincetown Art Museum
Intro to Cyanotype Photography: Printing from a Digital Negative
Sun May 19th-May 23rd Snow Farm, Williamsburg MA Guest teacher
Books in the Woods Retreat (Handmade Book Club event) (sold out)
Wed June 12 Westborough, MA Library
Intro to Eco-printing(free)
Fri June 21 Shepherd Maudsleigh Studio, Newton MA
Daylong Eco-Printing Intensive
Sat June 22 Shepherd Maudsleigh Studio, Newton MA
Day long Artist Book Making w/ecoprinted papers
Sat June 29th Creative Retreat in the Garden, Cyanotype, Conway MA
Sun June 30th New England Botanical Garden at Tower Hill
Intro to Eco Printing workshop
Wed July 10th Westborough, MA Library (Free)
Artist Book Making demo(free)
Sat Aug 24th Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University, Boston
Intro to Eco Printing (free)
Fri August 30th Creative Retreat in the Garden, Eco Printing with Flowers on Paper Conway MA