Schizandra

This genus of some 25 species of deciduous and evergreen climbers occurs in woodland in E Asia, with one species in SE USA. Schisandra chinensis was introduced to Western botanical gardens in the late 1850s. It is a large handsome climber with scented flowers and brightly colored berries on female plants. It was first mentioned in Chinese medical texts during the late Han dynasty (CE25-220). Different schisandras are used in N and S China; these were first differentiated in 1596 by Li Shi Zhen in his Compendium of Materia Medica. Schisandra chinensis is used by both men and women as a tonic for sexual energy, and is popular with women because of its reputation for improving the complexion. The Chinese name means "five flavor fruit", because it has sweet and sour flavors in the peel and pulp, and acrid, bitter, and salty flavors in the seeds. The red-flowered S. sphenanthera (southern schisandra), which grows farther south and west, is used in the same ways as S. chinensis but is seldom exported. Schisandra is from the Greek schizo, "to divide", and andreios, "male", and refers to the split anther cells.

Deciduous,woody climber with red shoots and glossy, elliptic to obovate, pointed leaves, 6-14cm (2½-5½in) long. Solitary, cream to pink, fragrant flowers, 2cm (¾in) across, are borne in late spring, followed on female plants by pendent clusters, 10-15cm (4-6in) long, of fleshy, scarlet fruits.


Common Name:
Schizandra
Other Names:
Magnolia Vine, Oh Mi Cha, Wu Wei Zi, Schisandra.
Botanical Name:
Schisandra chinensis
Genus:
Schisandra
Family:
Schisandraceae
Cultivation:
Rich, well-drained, moist soil in sun or partial shade. Both male and female plants must be grown for successful fruiting. Leaves and young growths may be damaged by aphids. Remove unwanted shoots in late winter from plants trained against a wall or fence.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe, or in spring after soaking overnight; by greenwood or semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:
Fruits are collected after the first frosts and sun-dried for use in decoctions, powders, and tinctures.
Native Location:
NE China, Japan
Height:
8m (25ft)
Hardiness:
Z5-8
History:
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the healing properties of therapeutic herbs are described in four key ways. One of those ways is by the herb's "taste". Herbs may be sweet (or neutral), sour, spicy, salty, or bitter. Furthermore, an herb's taste is related directly to how it targets and heals specific organs. For instance, sweet herbs target the spleen and stomach, sour herbs the gallbladder and liver, spicy herbs the large intestines and lungs, salty herbs the bladder and kidneys, and bitter herbs the small intestine and heart. Translated to Western herbalism, this paradigm still holds. For example, plantain, a "sweet" herb, is famous for soothing the stomach. Among the "bitter herbs", burdock stimulates blood circulation and helps rid the body and the blood of toxic wastes; turmeric, another "bitter" herb, is a fine digestive aid.
What does this mini-lesson in TCM have to do with schizandra? Everything!. Schizandra is unique among Chinese—and Western—medicinal herbs (it has been cultivated in the West since the mid-nineteenth century) because it contains all five tastes. In fact, its Chinese name, wu wei zi, means "five flavors fruit". This unique characteristic is why schizandra is one of Chinese medicine's super tonic herbs, in the same rank as ginseng and dong quai. In ancient China, schizandra was prized in royal households as a youth preserver, a sexual tonic, and a female aphrodisiac—and is still used for those purposes today. But researchers studying schizandra over the last two decades have discovered more significant and far-reaching therapeutic effects.
Parts Used:
Berries, Fruits (wu wei zi)
Properties:
A sweet and sour, astringent, warming herb that regulates secretion of body fluids, controls coughing, and moistens dry and irritated tissues. It acts as a tonic for the nervous system, and kidney and heart energies.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, involuntary ejaculation, chronic and early morning diarrhea, (associated with kidney weakness), palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, hyperacidity, hepatitis, and diabetes. Externally for irritating and allergic skin conditions. Combine with Ophiopogon japonicus (See, Lilyturf) and Panax ginseng (See, Ginseng) as an injectable drug for shock.
Research suggests that schizandra is an alterative tonic—or, more precisely, an adaptogen. Adaptogens are herbs that balance and boost general health throughout the body and in all the body's organs and connective tissue. Clinical studies indicate that schizandra both normalizes and stimulates the central nervous system, gastrointestinal system, immune system, heart and circulatory system, adrenal gland, kidneys, liver, and lungs. It also helps the body and brain utilize oxygen more efficiently. Regular use of the herb may boost the body's metabolism; improve memory, concentration, and eyesight; stabilize the emotions and elevate mood; repair the damage of chronic stress; increase the reaction time and reflexes; reduce the incidence of viral and bacterial infections; strengthen sexual stamina and increase sexual desire; retard the aging process; and beautify the skin.
Traditionally, schizandra has been prescribed for asthma, coughs, depression, diabetes, diarrhea, heart palpitations, hepatitis, high blood pressure, night sweats, and premature ejaculation.
Before you go running out to by a bag of schizandra berries— and who wouldn't benefit from this seemingly extraordinary herb?&mdash:a caution (and we can't say this enough): Herbs are medicine, and any medicine as powerful as schizandra is best taken under the guidance of a qualified medical practitioner. This is especially true if you are feeling generally run down and weak. A medical checkup for any underlying illness or disorder is always a good idea.
Preparation:
Schizandra is available as dried herb (berries) and in capsules, decoctions, and tinctures. To make a decoction, place 3 tablespoons of dried berries in 2 cups of cold water and let soak for 3 to 5 hours. After soaking, bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes; mixture should be reduced to about 1 cup. Strain, but reserve the berries in a container and cover with 2 cups of cold water. (The berries may be reused until they lose their color.) Drink up to 3 cups a day.
Caution:
No serious effects are associated with using schizandra. The herb does contain tannin, which may upset the stomach in some individuals. Presoaking the berries in cold water (see Preparation) usually takes care of this problem. Chinese medicine practioners also advise against taking the herb if you have a fever or an early-stage, nonproductive cough. Do not take schizandra if you are pregnant or trying to conceive. And a final warning: Avoid commercially prepared "stimulants" and "weight-reducing" products that advertise schizandra as one of the ingredients. The real stimulating ingredients in such products are often the herbs guarana and/or ma huang (also called ephedra, for the chemical ephedrine), both of which are associated with serious and sometimes life threatening side effects.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown. Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 363
The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 16-18