Schisandra
(Schisandra
chinensis)
Schisandra is also known as Magnolia vine with its ability to grow upwards in a creeping fashion. An ornamental plant found in many fine gardens throughout the world, but native to Asian countries with the largest exporting country being China. Its most popular use can be recorded in these same Asian producing countries as a widely used Male tonic and adaptogenic. Its Chinese name is wu-wei-zi, which means five taste fruit. Schisandra has an usually sour, sweet, bitter, warm, and salty taste, hence the name "five taste".
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.
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.
Precautions
Botanical safety research in China,
Russia, and the U.S. showed that Schisandra might cause
gastrointestinal upset in some individuals.
