Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis) Herb

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Schizandra (Schisandra chinensis)

Schizandra (or schisandra) is major tonic herb in

Chinese medicine, long prized by everyone from

emperors to family herbalists for its ability to

prolong youth, increase stamina, and prevent fatigue.

Schizandra products are derived from the small, bright

red, berry-like fruit of a hardy vine of the magnolia

family. Schizandra is native to China as well as parts

of Japan, Korea, and Russia. Two dozen additional

species of schizandra also exist, all indigenous to

Asia with the exception of a relatively rare

schizandra vine native to woody areas of North

Carolina and neighboring states. The Chinese refer to

dried schizandra berries as wu-wei-zi.

Traditional uses

Schizandra was mentioned in early medical texts of

China as one of the " superior herbs, " capable of

promoting overall well-being and enhancing bodily

vitality. Some hunting tribes of Northern China would

take supplies of the dried berries whenever they went

on long hunting trips during cold weather. Eating the

schizandra berries helped them to stoke their internal

fires and renew flagging strength. The Chinese have

long considered schizandra ideal for lack of energy

and for nervous exhaustion from stress. Schizandra has

also traditionally been taken to beautify the skin,

strengthen the sex organs, and promote mental

function. Among the ailments it was used to treat are

night sweats, asthma, cough, and insomnia. Schizandra

was used topically for skin sores. It is a traditional

Russian folk remedy for diabetes.

Modern uses

Schizandra is gaining in popularity as a tonic or

adaptogen that can balance bodily functions and

improve the body's response to stress. It is taken to

nourish the liver and kidneys, prevent the adverse

side effects of chemotherapy and radiation treatments,

and promote recovery after surgery. In Russia

schizandra is a registered medicine for vision

difficulties. Recent animal studies by Chinese

researchers and others indicate that schizandra may

improve aerobic capacity. Other studies suggest that

schizandra is a smart herb capable of promoting mental

function and benefiting some aspects of learning and

memory. Schizandra may also boost mood. A study

published in 1996 isolated a compound from schizandra

that showed anti-HIV activity. Schizandra may also

help to prevent or treat:

Recent findings

Scientists in Hong Kong who treated rats with a

lignan-enriched extract of schizandra fruit found that

it protected the animals' livers against a strain of

aflatoxin. The researchers concluded that the

protective mechanism may involve promotion of both

antioxidant and detoxification processes in the liver.

A traditional Chinese formula consisting of schizandra

and two other herbs was found to protect rats' hearts

against induced injuries. A pretreatment study

suggested that the major heart-protective component in

the formula was the schizandra lignans. Researchers

determined that a schizandra extract caused a

statistically significant increase in the working

capacity of mice, as measured by extensions in the

times the animals were able to run on a treadmill and

to swim.

Do scientists know how it works?

Among schizandra's main chemical constituents are

compounds known as lignans, which are concentrated in

the berries' seeds. More than two dozen lignans have

been identified with the prominent ones being

schizandrin, gomisins such as gomisin A, and wuweizisu

C. Lignans stimulate the immune system, protect and

regenerate the liver, and increase the body's ability

to handle stress. They may also have mild sedative

effects. Other chemical constituents in schizandra,

such as an essential oil, acids, vitamins, and

minerals, may contribute to the herb's tonic effects

by increasing cells' ability to create and use energy

and to process wastes or by delivering more oxygen to

the body's cells. They may also help to detoxify blood

and tissues and provide nutrients crucial to bodily

processes.

Safety

The Chinese say that schizandra berries have all five

flavors (sweet, sour, bitter, hot, salty) and have

long consumed them as a food. Average doses of herbal

preparations are considered safe and nontoxic. Mild

side effects may include indigestion and skin rash.

Schizandra may promote contractions of the uterine

muscles and thus should not be used by pregnant women

http://www.herbmed.com/bsxpinfo.html

Tonic, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, mild stimulant, deep

immune activator, antioxidant.

Common Use: Schizandra fruits or berries contain

various lignans, mainly schizandrins, these lignans

have been found to prevent liver damage, stimulate

liver repair, and stimulate normal liver functioning.

These properties appear to be related to the various

antioxidant abilities of the various schizandrins.

Schizandra also helps in digestion, regulating gastric

acid release. Other studies have shown that extracts

of schizandra are stimulating to the central nervous

system and are cholinergic. There have been numerous

reports on schizandra's ability to quicken reflexes,

increase work efficiency, control anger and combat

neurasthenias (headaches, insomnia, dizziness,

palpitations). Other reports have mentioned increased

cognitive function and increased memory. A recent

study concluded that schizandra may be a useful herb

to reverse depression, particularly that due to

adrenergic exhaustion. Recent research studies have

indicated that schizandra has numerous biological

activities, including: anti-bacterial, mild stimulant,

liver protective, anti-depressant, antioxidant,

adaptogen and cardiac tonic. In Oriental Medicine,

schizandra is recommended for the lungs, liver and

kidneys, including as an aphrodisiac ( kidney

element). Schizandra is also a registered medicine in

Russia for vision problems since the herb has been

found to prevent eye fatigue and increase acuity.