Common nameWu-wei-zi
Botanical name
Botanical name
Schisandra chinensis
Parts used and where grown
Schisandra is a woody vine with numerous clusters of tiny, bright red berries. It is distributed throughout northern and northeast China and the adjacent regions of Russia and Korea.1 The fully ripe, sun-dried fruit is used medicinally. It is purported to have sour, sweet, salty, hot, and bitter tastes. This unusual combination of flavors is reflected in schisandra’s Chinese name wu-wei-zi, meaning “five taste fruit.”
Schisandra has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Science Ratings - Health Concerns
** - Irritable bowel syndrome (Chinese herbal combination formula containing wormwood, ginger, bupleurum, schisandra, dan shen, and other extracts)
* - Common cold/sore throat
* - Fatigue
* - Hay fever (Sho-seiryu-to: contains licorice, cassia bark, schisandra, ma huang [ephedra], ginger, peony root, pinellia, and asiasarum root)
* - Hepatitis
* - Infection
* - Liver support
* - Stress
*** - Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Parts used and where grown
Schisandra is a woody vine with numerous clusters of tiny, bright red berries. It is distributed throughout northern and northeast China and the adjacent regions of Russia and Korea.1 The fully ripe, sun-dried fruit is used medicinally. It is purported to have sour, sweet, salty, hot, and bitter tastes. This unusual combination of flavors is reflected in schisandra’s Chinese name wu-wei-zi, meaning “five taste fruit.”
Schisandra has been used in connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
Science Ratings - Health Concerns
** - Irritable bowel syndrome (Chinese herbal combination formula containing wormwood, ginger, bupleurum, schisandra, dan shen, and other extracts)
* - Common cold/sore throat
* - Fatigue
* - Hay fever (Sho-seiryu-to: contains licorice, cassia bark, schisandra, ma huang [ephedra], ginger, peony root, pinellia, and asiasarum root)
* - Hepatitis
* - Infection
* - Liver support
* - Stress
*** - Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
** - Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
* - For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support and/or minimal health benefit.
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)
A classical treatise on Chinese herbal medicine, Shen Nung Pen Tsao Ching, describes schisandra as a high-grade herbal drug useful for a wide variety of medical conditions—especially as a kidney tonic and lung astringent. In addition, other textbooks on Traditional Chinese Medicine note that schisandra is useful for coughs, night sweats, insomnia, thirst, and physical exhaustion.2 Adaptogenic herbs, like schisandra, have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve the ability of the body to respond to stress.
Active constituents
The major constituents in schisandra are lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin) found in the seeds of the fruit. Modern Chinese research suggests these lignans have a protective effect on the liver and an immunomodulating effect. Two human trials completed in China (one double-blind and the other preliminary) have shown that schisandra may help people with chronic viral hepatitis.3 4 Schisandra lignans appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes in liver cells that produce glutathione, an important antioxidant substance.5
Schisandra fruit may also have an adaptogenic action, much like the herb Asian ginseng, but with weaker effects. Laboratory work suggests that schisandra may improve work performance, build strength, and help to reduce fatigue.6
How much is usually taken?
Use of schisandra fruit ranges from 1.5–15 grams per day.7 The tincture, 2–4 ml three times per day, can also be used.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Side effects involving schisandra are uncommon but may include abdominal upset, decreased appetite, and skin rash.8
Historical or traditional use (may or may not be supported by scientific studies)
A classical treatise on Chinese herbal medicine, Shen Nung Pen Tsao Ching, describes schisandra as a high-grade herbal drug useful for a wide variety of medical conditions—especially as a kidney tonic and lung astringent. In addition, other textbooks on Traditional Chinese Medicine note that schisandra is useful for coughs, night sweats, insomnia, thirst, and physical exhaustion.2 Adaptogenic herbs, like schisandra, have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to improve the ability of the body to respond to stress.
Active constituents
The major constituents in schisandra are lignans (schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin) found in the seeds of the fruit. Modern Chinese research suggests these lignans have a protective effect on the liver and an immunomodulating effect. Two human trials completed in China (one double-blind and the other preliminary) have shown that schisandra may help people with chronic viral hepatitis.3 4 Schisandra lignans appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes in liver cells that produce glutathione, an important antioxidant substance.5
Schisandra fruit may also have an adaptogenic action, much like the herb Asian ginseng, but with weaker effects. Laboratory work suggests that schisandra may improve work performance, build strength, and help to reduce fatigue.6
How much is usually taken?
Use of schisandra fruit ranges from 1.5–15 grams per day.7 The tincture, 2–4 ml three times per day, can also be used.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Side effects involving schisandra are uncommon but may include abdominal upset, decreased appetite, and skin rash.8
Drug Interactions
Certain medicines interact with schisandra: Some interactions may increase the need for schisandra (+), other interactions may be negative (-) and indicate schisandra should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist, others may require further explanation (?). Refer to the individual drug article for specific details about an interaction.
Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines index.
Acetaminophen (?)
Acetaminophen with Codeine (?)
Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen (?)
Certain medicines interact with schisandra: Some interactions may increase the need for schisandra (+), other interactions may be negative (-) and indicate schisandra should not be taken without first speaking with your physician or pharmacist, others may require further explanation (?). Refer to the individual drug article for specific details about an interaction.
Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines index.
Acetaminophen (?)
Acetaminophen with Codeine (?)
Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen (?)
Source: www.cncahealth.com