To Your Health

By Margery Bastian

SCHISANDRA - An adaptogen

SCHISANDRA (Magnolia Vine) is a genus of shrub. It is a hardy deciduous climber which thrives in most any soil. All but one of the more than 20 schisandra species are native to eastern Asia. There is one, that is a seldom-seen vine that grows in the SE United States and is cultivated as an ornamental. You may start new plants by taking cuttings of half-matured shoots in August.

plant In Asia, the leaves and berries are consumed as food. The fruit is dried and used as medicine. In China schisandra is called wu wei zi, which translates as "five flavor fruit". This is because in Chinese herbal medicine they have all five basic flavors, salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter. It is used as a remedy to resist infections, increase skin health, and combat insomnia, coughing and thirst. In Chinese medical research suggest that schisandra and other lignans have a protective effect on the liver and an immunomodulating effect. They appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes that produce glutathione. They are used in dried form, and boiled to make a tea.

plant Some therapeutic uses are for hepatitis, paralysis, parkinson's disease, psychosis, and stroke. Also, Ataxia (a muscular disorder with jerky irregular movements), cancer, chemotherapy, colds, depression, fatigue, labor and senility.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physicians recomment schisandra in the same way as they recommend ginseng, as a general tonic and adaptogen that seems to normalize whatever is out of order in the body.

In TCM, schisandra chinensis is believed to astringe the Lung Qi and nourish the kidneys. It also stops diarrhea in astringing the kidneys. It stops excessive sweating from Yin or Yang deficiency. It tonifies the heart and kidney, therefore calms the spirit. It generates body fluids and controls thirst.

Use of schisandra ranges from 1.5-15 grams per day. The tincture, 2-4 ml three times per day. Side effects involving schisandra are uncommon but may include abdominal upset, decreased appetite, and skin rash. Pay attention to the dosages. It should not be used by pregnant women.

Medical treatments should always include the advice of a licensed medical practitioner.