Schisandra is a vine native to East Asia that produces small red berries with medicinal properties. The plant is easy to grow and is used to treat a variety of ailments, including liver damage, stress, and impotence. However, it should be avoided by pregnant women and those with certain medical conditions.
Schisandra is a deciduous perennial vine native to East Asia that produces small red berries valued for their medicinal properties. Other names for the plant include magnolia vine or its Chinese name, Wu Wei Zi, which translates to “five flavor fruit” or “five flavor berry.” The Chinese gave the plant this name because its berries consist of the five flavors recognized in traditional Chinese herbal medicine: salty, sweet, bitter, sour, and spicy.
Reaching up to 25 feet (7.62 meters) in length, schisandra has attractive oval leaves, delicate pink flowers, and, of course, spikes of red berries beloved by herbalists for their many healing benefits. The berries are most often dried for use in herbal remedies. Gardeners in temperate climates around the world cultivate the easy-to-grow vine for ornamental or medicinal purposes. The plant prefers partial shade, moist but well-drained soil, and about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) of supplemental water per week. The berries can be harvested in mid to late summer when they are reddish brown.
The small red berries are a traditional herbal remedy used to treat a variety of ailments, including asthma, colds, coughs, and excessive thirst. Chinese doctors often prescribe schisandra as a tonic to improve general health and restore balance to the body and mind. The lignans contained in the plant also encourage the reactivation of liver cells, making the herb an important natural treatment for liver damage caused by alcoholism or hepatitis. In addition, the plant contains phytochemicals that improve reflexes, improve coordination and concentration, and increase physical resistance.
Popular uses of the schisandra herb include promoting smooth skin and treating diarrhea, impotence, excessive urination, fatigue, and stress. The plant is believed to increase sexual stamina in men and relieve sexual fatigue in both men and women. It is calming and has mild pain-relieving properties, which may contribute to its use as a stress reliever. The herb is found in numerous sports endurance and weight loss products, likely due to its reputation for increasing physical stamina. It purifies the blood, rejuvenates the body, protects the skin against environmental toxins, improves vision and hearing, and supports a carefree mind.
Schisandra is available as a dietary supplement in extract, tincture, and capsule forms, and in multiple herbal formulas. The recommended dose of the herb is ½ to 2 ½ teaspoons (2.46 to 12.32 milliliters) of a liquid extract or ½ to 1 teaspoon (2.46 to 4.93 milliliters) of liquid tincture each day. The dosage of the capsules varies between manufacturers, but should not exceed 1,000 milligrams (1 gram) per day.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners often use the dried berries to make tea by steeping them in boiling water. To make schisandra tea, steep 1/2 teaspoon (2.46 milliliters) of the dried berries in 1 cup (236.59 milliliters) of boiling water for at least 15 minutes, strain, sweeten with honey, and drink immediately. Fresh berries can be used instead of dried, but double the amount should be used. The recommended dose is 1 cup (236.59 milliliters) of tea per day.
Because schisandra increases the flow of bile from the body, people with gallbladder disease, gallstones, or bile duct blockages should not consume the herb in any form. The plant also stimulates the uterus and can induce labor, so it should be avoided by pregnant women. People with high blood pressure, peptic ulcers, or epilepsy should also avoid taking the herb. Mild side effects of schisandra include indigestion, itchy skin, and poor appetite.
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