Schizandra Facts and Information
Schizandra (Schizandra chinensis) is a unique-looking vine with small reddish berries that grows naturally in regions of Northern China. In ancient China, schizandra was a common food product for the hunting and gathering tribes. As a traditional Chinese medicine, schizandra, also known as Wu-wei-tzu, has been employed as an astringent for dry cough, asthma, night sweats, nocturnal seminal emissions, and chronic diarrhea. Some Chinese also use schizandra as a tonic for alleviating chronic fatigue.
During the mid 1980's, doctors in China began to research schizandra for use in connection with forms of hepatitis. Schizandra is now a recognized adaptogen, capable of increasing the body's ability to resist both disease and stress. In many Asian countries, this adaptogenic property is believed to stimulate immune defenses, balance body function, normalize body systems, boost recovery after surgery, protect against radiation, minimize the negative effects of sugar, optimize energy in times of stress, increase stamina, protect against motion sickness, normalize blood sugar and blood pressure, reduce abnormally high cholesterol levels, protect against infection, improve the health of the adrenals, help RNA-DNA molecules to maintain cells, and produce energy comparable to that of a young athlete.
Herbalists outside of Asian regularly recommend Schizandra for the lungs, liver, and kidneys, and to use in connection with depression caused by adrenergic exhaustion. In Russia, schizandra is used to for eye fatigue and to increase mental acuity.
Schizandra should not be used by pregnant women and should be avoided by individuals suffering from peptic ulcers, epilepsy, or high blood pressure.