Schisandra

Schisandra

Latin Name: Schisandra chinensis
Family: Schisandraceae

Part used: Berries.
Energetics: All 5 flavours: sweet, pungent, bitter, sour and salty tastes.
Iris: Hematogenic.
Interactions: Please check with your Healthcare Provider.

Safe alongside Herb
  • Diazepam
  • Paracetamol
  • Talinolol
Unsure alongside Herb
  • Ketoconazole
  • Mycophenolate mofetil
  • Mycophenolate sodium
  • Mycophenolic acid
  • Oestradiol, estradiol

CONTRA-INDICATIONS

Pregnancy and Lactation. Epilepsy. Gall stones. Peptic ulcer. Raised intercranial pressure.

ACTIONS

  • Adaptogen
  • Astringent tonic
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-viral
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Anti-tussive
  • Anti-diarrhoeal
  • Antidepressant
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Expectorant
  • Renal tonic
  • Aphrodisiac for men and women
  • Cholagogue
  • Parturient
  • Anxiolytic
  • Immune tonic
  • Hypoglycaemic
  • Sedative
  • CNS restorative
  • Nootropic
  • Nervine and brain tonic
  • Analgesic
  • Anti-venomous
  • Radiation damage.

Main Constituents

  • Volatile oil (up to 3%)
  • Schisandrin A (detoxifier), Schisandrin B (hepatoprotective), Schisandrin C (nephroprotective)
  • Enhances cytochrome P-450
  • Lignans: Gomisins, Schizandrol, Stigmasterol, Sesquicarene, Oleic/ Linoleic / Linolenic and Palmitic acid
  • Triterpenes
  • Resin
  • Vitamins: A, C, E
  • Minerals: Cr, Mg, P

Main Uses

Adaptogen and Nervine
Improves memory, concentration, hearing and vision, Chemical liver damage and liver inflammation including Hepatitis C, Vaginal discharge / Leucorrhoea, Stimulates the uterus, Anxiety, Depression, Fatigue, Increases endurance, Sex tonic for men and women. Improves fine motor coordination in Parkinson’s Disease. The berries increase energy, endurance and resilience to stress. Frequent urination, urinary incontinence and premature ejaculation.

Infections:
Bacteria: E. coli, Propionibacterium acnes
Viruses: Hepatitis C, SARS-CoV-2

More About Schisandra

Schisandra berries are used in traditional Chinese medicine and the berries have been eaten for centuries in China, to improve liver function and help incases of chronic hepatitis.
In Korean, the berries are known as omija or ‘five flavours’, referring to it being one of the few plants that encompasses all five tastes that represent the five elements. and the cordial drink made from them is called omija-cha, meaning "omija tea". In Japanese, they are called gomishi. The Ainu people used Schisandra as a remedy for colds and sea-sickness.
The chemical constituents include the lignans schisandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin. These help to balance male oestrogen / testosterone levels and inhibit the alpha 5-reductase enzymes that convert testosterone to DHT. It reduces DHT levels which enhance prostate health and maintain testosterone levels.
When crushed, the leaves release a lemony smell and can be used as a vegetable.
Schisandra Chinensis is a unique nootropic that has been shown to have antidepressant-like activity.
It is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for its anti-fatigue, antistress effects.
It increases levels of dopamine metabolites and BDNF expression in the brain.
Schisandra can be very useful on a spiritual level for people discovering balance within themselves and can speed up homeostasis after profound change or healing experiences.
Schisandra works best when used consistently for at least two to three weeks before assessing overall effectiveness, with the dose increasing after 4-5 days if no benefit is felt.
Schisandra is perfect for those who awake frequently in the night to urinate and help to lessen night sweats.

Recipes:


Schisandra Berry Tea

Ingredients:

  • 1-2 teaspoons dried schisandra berries
  • 236ml of boiling water
  • Optional: Honey or lemon for flavour

Instructions:

  • Bring 236ml of water to a boil in a kettle or on the stove.
  • Measure out the dried schisandra berries.
  • Place the schisandra berries in a teapot or heat resistant mug.
  • Pour the boiling water over the schisandra berries.
  • Cover the teapot or mug with a lid or saucer and let the schisandra berries steep for about 10-15 minutes.
  • If desired, sweeten the tea with honey or add a squeeze of lemon for flavour.
  • After steeping, strain the tea to remove the schisandra berries.
  • Sip the schisandra berry tea while it's still warm. It has a tart and slightly sweet flavour.
Schisandra Berry Tincture

Ingredients:

  • 42g of dried schisandra berries
  • 236ml of high-proof alcohol (such as 40% vodka)
  • Glass jar with a tight-fitting lid
  • Cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer
  • Amber glass tincture bottles with droppers (for storage)

Instructions:

  • Measure out the dried schisandra berries.
  • Place the dried schisandra berries in a glass jar.
  • Pour the high-proof alcohol over the schisandra berries, ensuring they are fully submerged.
  • Seal the glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  • Shake the jar gently to mix the ingredients.
  • Store the jar in a cool, dark place for about 4-6 weeks, shaking it daily to aid in the extraction process.
  • After the steeping period, strain the tincture through cheesecloth or a fine-mesh strainer into amber glass tincture bottles.
  • Label the bottles with the contents and date.
  • Store the Schisandra Berry tincture in a cool, dark place. It can last for several years if stored properly.

Dose: Take 1-3ml of the tincture 3 x daily

References

Neuroprotective, antioxidation, suppressed apoptosis, anti-inflammation, BDNF

Schisandra chinensis Fructus and Its Active Ingredients as Promising Resources for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases.
The key neuroprotective mechanisms of SCF and its active ingredients have been demonstrated to include antioxidation, suppression of apoptosis, anti-inflammation, regulation of neurotransmitters, and modulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) related pathways. This paper summarizes studies of the role of SCF and its active ingredients in protecting against NDs, and highlights them as promising resources for future treatment.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29986408/

Adaptogenic effects, central nervous system stimulation, hepatoprotective effects

Schisandra chinensis and its phytotherapeutical applications.
The lignans of schisandra are genus-specific. Their activity has been investigated in hundreds of studies that have confirmed adaptogenic effects, central nervous system stimulation, hepatoprotective effects and potential anticancer potential.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31431019/

Acute ethanol-induced liver injury, oxidative stress

Protective effect of acidic polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis on acute ethanol-induced liver injury through reducing CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress.
SCAP has a protective effect on ethanol-induced liver injury in mice and cells, and the mechanism underlying may be via inhibiting the expression of CYP2E1 protein and then alleviating oxidative stress injury induced by ethanol.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29902864/

Depressive mood/disorder, anti-inflammation

Schisandra chinensis ameliorates depressive-like behaviors by regulating microbiota-gut-brain axis via its anti-inflammation activity.
All results suggested that lignans is the effective fraction of S.chinensis to ameliorating depressive disorders, which its anti-inflammation activity possibly involved in the bidirectional connection between gut microbiota and brain.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32761702/

Cardiac hypertrophy, oxidative stress

Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides prevent cardiac hypertrophy by dissociating thioredoxin-interacting protein/thioredoxin-1 complex and inhibiting oxidative stress.
In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that the potential use of SCP as a TXNIP inhibitor to attenuate oxidative stress, suggesting that TXNIP might represent a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiac hypertrophy.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34243612/

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