Schisandra is
a plant. The fruit is used as food and also to make
medicine.
Schisandra is used as an "adaptogen" for
increasing resistance to disease and stress, increasing energy, and
increasing physical performance and endurance.
Schisandra is
also used for preventing early aging and increasing lifespan,
normalizing blood
sugar
and
blood
pressure,
stimulating the immune
system,
and speeding recovery after surgery.
It is also used for
treating liver
disease (hepatitis)
and protecting the liver
from
poisons. The Chinese have developed a liver-protecting drug called
DBD that is made from schizandrin, one of the chemicals in
schisandra.
Other uses for schisandra include treatment of high
cholesterol,
pneumonia,
coughs,
asthma,
sleep
problems
(insomnia),
tiredness and irritability associated with emotional disturbance
(neurasthenia), premenstrual
syndrome (PMS),
chronic diarrhea,
dysentery, night
sweats,
spontaneous sweating,
involuntary discharge of semen, thirst erectile
dysfunction (ED),
physical exhaustion, excessive urination, depression,
irritability, and memory
loss.
It is also used in children to reduce the frequency and severity of
attacks of fever associated with an inherited disease called familial
Mediterranean fever.
Some
people use schisandra for improving muscular activity, protecting
against radiation,
preventing motion
sickness,
preventing infection, boosting energy at the cellular level, and
improving the health of the adrenal glands.
Schisandra fruit is
eaten as a food.
How does it work ?
The chemicals in schisandra improve liver function by stimulating enzymes (proteins that speed up biochemical reactions) in the liver and promoting liver cell growth.
Mental performance. Taking schisandra fruit extract bymouth, alone or in combination with rhodiola and Siberian ginseng, seems to improve concentration, attention, and speed of thinking.
Hepatitis. Schisandra fruit extracts reduce blood levels of an enzyme called glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) in people with hepatitis. SGPT level is a marker for liver damage. A higher S GPT level means more damage; a lower SGPT means less damage.
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a plant whose deep red berries have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. Schisandra is a deciduous climbing vine native to China and Russia that thrives in almost all types of soils.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), schisandra is considered an "adaptogen," meaning a plant or herb that balances the body's functions and maintains homeostasis.
The berry itself is often called "five-flavor berry" because it possesses all five of the basic flavors of Chinese herbal medicine: salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter. Having these flavors means that it can benefit all five yin organs: the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys, and spleen.
Schisandra berries are referred to as wu wei zi in traditional Chinese medicine and omicha in Korea. In the West, the plant is better known as magnolia vine, even though it is not closely related to true magnolias
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, schisandra is revered for its anti-aging properties and is used to promote physical, emotional, and even sexual stamina. The berries or seeds may be used to treat cough, asthma, indigestion, diarrhea, flu, insomnia, skin allergy, heart palpitations, insulin resistance, and premenstrual syndrome, among other conditions.
Schisandra has been used as herbal therapy for centuries in Eastern cultures. However, the health benefits have yet to be extensively studied from a Western clinical perspective. Here is what some of the current research says:
A number of recent studies have suggested that schisandra extracts may play a beneficial role in treating certain respiratory disorders, including asthma.
The study supported earlier research in which schisandra was shown to reduce coughing and lung inflammation in guinea pigs exposed to cigarette smoke.
In Korean medicine, schisandra is sometimes used to treat cardiovascular symptoms associated with menopause.
Schisandra contains compounds that alleviate oxidative stress on the liver and improve liver function. Much of this is attributed to flavonoids in schisandra—particularly quercetin and hesperetin—that function as antioxidants, ridding the body of free radicals that cause long-term cell damage. Recent research supported these claims.
Studies have shown that schisandra lowers another type of liver enzyme, known as SGPT, which is a marker of liver damage.
On top of all this, the suppression of nitric oxide inhibits an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2). This is the same enzyme that drugs like (celecoxib) target to relieve pain and inflammation, benefiting not only the liver but the entire body.
One of the central benefits of schisandra, according to TCM practitioners, is its ability to increase endurance and mental performance. Recent research suggests that the claims may have some basis in science.
A 2009 review of studies from Sweden reported that schisandra is able to stimulate the adrenal glan and the production of hormones like epinephrine, increasing heart rate, muscle strength, blood pressure, and sugar metabolism.
These physiological changes translate to increased mental alertness, energy, stamina, and feelings of well-being. This, in turn, can enhance libido (sex drive) simply by the fact that you feel stronger and are more energized.
A number of other herbs have been found to possess similar properties, including rhodiola,ginseng, and ashwagandha.
Schisandra berries are safe to consume and have an unusual flavor reminiscent of a red currant crossed with a slightly salty goji berry. The seeds can also be swallowed and are believed to aid in digestion. In some people, schisandra has been known to cause heartburn, upset stomach, decreased appetite, and stomach pain. Itching and skin rashes are uncommon but can occur.
You should not use schisandra if you have uncontrolled gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as it may trigger reflux symptoms. Pregnant women, nursing women, and children should also avoid schisandra given the lack of research into their long-term safety.
Alternative medicines should never be used as a substitute for standard care. Self-treating a medical condition and delaying the standard course of treatment may have serious consequences.
In the United States, schisandra is most often found in capsule, tablet, extract, or powder formulations. The dried berries can be purchased online and eaten as you would dried goji berries. Schisandra powder, berries, and seeds can all be used to make medicinal tonics and teas. Fresh berries are not readily available.
There are no universal guidelines directing the appropriate use of schisandra remedies. As a rule of thumb, never exceed the dose recommended by the product manufacturer. Most commercial extracts can be safely consumed at doses of between 500 and 2,000 milligrams daily. Schizandra supplements are generally prescribed at a daily dose of 500 to 1,000 milligrams.
Source:
Schisandra: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions (verywellhealth.com)