Schisandra

Other Names:

Wu-wei-zi, Magnolia vine

What is Schisandra?

Schisandra is a red-purple berry that can be found in China, Japan, Korea and Russia. It has a wide array of health benefits, and has been long used in traditional medicine treat a variety of illnesses such as respiratory disease, asthma, insomnia, kidney problems and diarrhoea. It is also considered an adaptogen, used to combat fatigue and increase endurance.

Health Benefits:

Could provide relief from stress & anxiety

The adaptogenic qualities of Schisandra mean that is can reduce both mental and physical stress, applying a balancing effect across the body. Research suggests it has the ability to boost moods through improving mental performance and reducing stress levels. It has also been found to reduce cortisol levels in the body and can control the changes in serotonin and adrenaline caused by stress.

Positive effects for Alzheimer’s

Multiple studies have shown that Schisandrin B found in Schisandra has a beneficial effect on Alzheimer’s disease. Schisandrin has the ability to block the growth of excess amyloid beta peptides in the brain, which are responsible for forming amyloid plaque – a substance found in the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers. Another study suggests that due to its anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective effect on microglial cells in the brain, Schisandra may be effective against both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

History:

In Chinese Traditional Medicine, Schisandra is called ‘Five Flavoured Fruit’ or Wu Wei Zi in Chinese, with the five flavours corresponding to the five phases of TCM: sour (wood), bitter (fire), sweet (Earth), acrid (metal) and salty (water). It is thought to be a harmonising tonic or ‘King’ remedy in Chinese Medicine due to its balanced nature.

Typical Uses:

We suggest taking 1 to 3 capsules or 500mg to 2000mg of powder spread out during the day, or as directed by a healthcare practitioner.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20374974/