Schisandra Berry and Powder Profile
Also known as
Schisandra chinensis, Schizadra, Wu Wei Zi, Magnolia vine, Gomishi, Kita-Gomishi
Introduction
Chinese folklore says that Schisandra can "calm the heart and quiet the spirit", and it has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Schisandra, also known as Magnolia vine due to its ability to grow upwards in a creeping fashion, is a native to Northern China, Russia, and parts of Korea. An ornamental plant found in many fine gardens throughout the world, schisandra is a woody vine with oval pink leaves and bright red berries. The most popular use can be recorded in China and Russia, where it is widely used as a Male tonic and adaptogenic. Its Chinese name is wu-wei-zi, which means five taste fruit. Schisandra has a usually sour, sweet, bitter, warm, and salty taste, hence the name "five taste". Traditional Chinese Medicine has also used it as a lung astringent, coughs, and asthma, as well as the vines and roots for painful joints and rheumatism. It is also said to help with wei chi, the defense energy of the body, helping to build resistance to infection. Russian hunters have consumed it for centuries as a tea to help with fatigue.
Constituents
Up to 19% of the fruits weight consists of lignans.
Parts Used
The whole berry or powdered berry.
Typical Preparations
Asian users take 1 teaspoon a day and it makes a lovely infusion in fruit juice. Pour ½ cup to a 1-gallon pitcher of a dark fruit juice and allow it to soak for 1 day. Strain and drink as necessary. Schisandra can also be added to tea decoctions, herbal brews (soft simmer) and is effective as a liquid herbal extract and herbal capsule. One can also make an effective Schisandra syrup by allowing the berries to soak in Glycerin for 1 month. For convenience it may be taken as a capsule or extract.
Summary
Most research has been conducted in China where double blind studies suggest that Schisandra has the ability to help those that suffer from Hepatitis. The lignans in the berry appear to protect the liver by stimulating cells that produce much needed antioxidants. Because of its adaptogenic properties, it has been applied next to some herbal medicines like Ginseng as a stimulator for the central nervous system, increased brain efficiency, improved reflexes, and an accelerated rate of endurance. Because schisandra is a mild sedative, it may help increase the efficacy of prescription tranquilizers thereby allowing patients to take lower doses.
Precautions
Botanical safety research in China, Russia, and the U.S. showed that Schisandra might cause gastrointestinal upset in some individuals, though rare. Schisandra should not be used by pregnant women as it is a uterine stimulant.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
