Schisandra chinensis is a Chinese berry named wu-wei-zu, meaning “5 flavored fruit” and is associated with sweet, sour, bitter, hot, and salty flavors. Schisandra has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years. In TCM, it is believed that a combination of both energetic characteristics and tastes of the herbs influence the balance of the body systems, the body’s yin and yang energy patterns, and organ health. Schisandra‘s five flavors allows it to conform to the body systems that are in need of balancing. Salty and sour tastes are believed to have effects on the liver and testicles, the bitter and hot (astringent) properties beneficial to the heart and lungs, and the sweet component support for the stomach.
Known as an adaptogen, Schisandra is a completely safe, nontoxic substance that increases the body’s ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning. This stress can be physical, emotional, biological/physiological, or environmental. By adapting to stress, the body regulates stress hormone production, restores internal balance, and performs healthy metabolic functions.
For over 40 years it has been used as a pharmacological agent in Russia. Numerous studies show that Schisandra exerts an effect on the central nervous, sympathetic, endocrine, immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, reproductive and gastrointestinal systems.. Schisandra increases endurance and accuracy of movement, mental performance and working capacity.
Benefits of Schisandra
Fresh, new studies further confirm Schisandra’s broad influence to help support health.
- Exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activity
- Prevents obesity, and reduces serum glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol levels in mice on a high fat diet.
- Possesses antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities to prevent and reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Relieves chronic fatigue syndrome by enhancing metabolic metabolism
- Might protect against cognitive deficits and neurodegeneration of Alzheimer’s disease by reducing protein deposits in the brain.
- Used as a safe and effective complementary medicine for menopausal symptoms, especially for hot flashes, sweating, and heart palpitations.
- Helpful agent for acne therapy and photo-aging prevention.
- Affects gut microbiota. Increases beneficial gut bacteria and decreases harmful gut bacteria. When used on obese patients, a greater decrease in waist circumference, fat mass, fasting blood glucose, and triglycerides are observed.
- Fungal control in plants
Schisandra can be purchased alone as a supplement, or also be found mixed with other herbs that work together to increase overall vitality. Our office carries a variety of Schisandra products that can be custom to your particular condition. Be sure to seek your doctor’s advice if you are pregnant or currently taking medications before starting any supplemental program.
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