Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi)

Botanical Name: Schisandra chinensis

Schisandra is considered one of the great longevity tonic herbs. It is famous as an adaptogen and anti-aging herb, with stamina building properties. It is also known to impart beauty and sexual endurance to those who use it regularly.

Remember to check with your doctor before trying new medicines or herbal remedies, especially if you are taking other medication where drug interactions are possible.

Below is an overview of schisandra, combining and interpreting the best of Western Science, Oriental Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Shamanism, Folklore, and a wide range of healing modalities. Gain a balanced and thorough understanding of the healing properties of schisandra.

Parts Most Frequently Used: Berries, Seeds, Leaves

Flavors/Temps: Sour, Sweet, Bitter, Salty, Pungent, Acrid, Warm

Caution: Very safe.

Key Constituents: Sesquicarene, Phytoestrogens, Deoxyschizandrin, Schizandrol, Stigmasterol. Two major lignans: Schisandrin and Gomisin A. Vitamins C and E. Tannins.

History/Folklore: Schisandra’s Chinese name, “Five Flavors,” derives from it being one of the few herbs to include the properties of all five Flavors (Sweet, Bitter, Salty, Sour and Pungent). Its main taste is sour and salty. Because it has five tastes it is considered to benefit all five yin organs; Liver, Lung, Heart, Kidneys and Spleen. Another way of considering their Five Flavors is to note that their shells are sweet, their meat sour, their seeds bitter and tart, and their extract salty.

Schisandra is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in Chinese Medicine and is also celebrated as a key tonic herb. It is even considered a substitute for ginseng. Schisandra is considered a sex tonic for both male and female organs.

Low doses of schisandra are said to stimulate the central nervous system, while higher doses are used to depress, or calm, the nervous system.

In the Far East regions of Russia the berries have been used by the native Nanai hunters to improve night vision and as a tonic to reduce hunger, thirst and exhaustion.

Schisandra has been used to help respiratory depression caused by morphine use.

Schisandra increases the livers ability to make the enzyme glutathione peroxidase. This compound deactivates several types of free radicals that attack the outer membrane of liver cells. It helps to counter the damage done to the liver by chronic viral hepatitis and HIV. Schisandra also contains lignans that are known to have a strong protective action on the liver. Schisandra also increases the flow of bile.

A study of 47 premenopausal and 49 postmenopausal women not using hormonal contraceptives and a second group using hormone replacement therapy (HRT), found a significant decrease in estrogen that might lead to breast cancer. Schisandra contains a phytoestrogen compound associated with lowering the risk of breast cancer.

It has been favored by the wealthy and especially the emperors and court ladies due to its reputation as a youth preserver, beautifier and powerful sexual tonic. In Oriental medicine it is considered both a Yin and a Yang tonic. It is famous for increasing the sexual power in men.

As the plant is not native to the west, it has little European historical usage, but with current growing scientific studies being made it is now being used more and more outside of China. Research done in Russia, led to the herb being one of the first to be identified as an “adaptogenic” herb. The term was created to describe the herbs ability to systemically promote health by countering the symptoms of stress, boost immunity, support organ and system functions, as well as build stamina and strength. Research has continued to confirm the herbs potent protective and rebalancing effects on the central nervous system, endocrine, immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems.

The young spring leaves can be boiled and enjoyed as a vegetable side dish.