The invention provides methods for treating medical conditions caused by abnormal
chloride ion flux with compositions containing active ingredients isolated from
the traditional Chinese medicine Bao-Ji-Wan (BJW). The compositions comprise any
one, two, or three of the following: magnolol, honokiol, imperatorin, isoimperatorin
or only magnolol, honokiol, imperatorin, isoimperatorin and a physiologically acceptable
carrier. In preferred embodiments, the medical conditions include disorders of
the gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea and constipation.
