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Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) is a unique-looking vine with
small reddish berries that grows naturally in regions of Northern
China. In ancient China, schizandra was a common food product for
the hunting and gathering tribes. As a traditional Chinese medicine,
schizandra, also known as Wu-wei-tzu, has been employed as an
astringent for dry cough, asthma, night sweats, nocturnal seminal
emissions, and chronic diarrhea. Some Chinese also use schizandra as
a tonic for alleviating chronic fatigue.
During the mid
1980's, doctors in China began to research schizandra for use in
connection with forms of hepatitis. Schizandra is now a recognized
"adaptogen," capable of increasing the body's ability to resist both
disease and stress. In many Asian countries, this adaptogenic
property is believed to stimulate immune defenses, balance body
function, normalize body systems, boost recovery after surgery,
protect against radiation, minimize the negative effects of sugar,
optimize energy in times of stress, increase stamina, protect
against motion sickness, normalize blood sugar and blood pressure,
reduce abnormally high cholesterol levels, protect against
infection, improve the health of the adrenals, help RNA-DNA
molecules to maintain cells, and produce energy comparable to that
of a young athlete.
Herbalists outside of Asian regularly
recommend Schizandra for the lungs, liver, and kidneys, and to use
in connection with depression caused by adrenergic exhaustion. In
Russia, schizandra is used to for eye fatigue and to increase mental
acuity.
Schizandra should not be used by pregnant women and
should be avoided by individuals suffering from peptic ulcers,
epilepsy, or high blood pressure.
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