Schisandra chinensis is a seasonal vine that grows naturally in the lands of the Far East, and particularly in the forests of Manchuria and the Russian Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krai.
Schisandra is a typical woody plant that prefers shady, moist areas. Although a wild plant in China and Russia, Schisandra is cultivated like grapes. Schisandra berries have been used traditionally as performance enhancers and as an adaptogen. Schisandra appears to also reduce anxiety and cortisol.
Schisandra is also rich in anthocyanins, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Studies indicate that the antioxidant rating of Schisandra is superior to that of vitamin C and has high activity according to the ORAC method.
Schisandra has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, as it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. In vitro studies confirm the powerful antioxidant properties of the fruit of Schisandra to effectively neutralize free radicals.
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What Is Schisandra Chinensis
Schisandra chinensis is a seasonal vine that grows naturally in the lands of the Far East, and particularly in the forests of Manchuria and the Russian Primorsky and Khabarovsk Krai.
Schisandra is a typical woody plant that prefers shady, moist areas. Although a wild plant in China and Russia, Schisandra is cultivated like grapes. It's growing in Russia is especially widely spread, where tons of fruits are used for fruit juices, wines, sweets, and herbal extracts.
The most valuable part of the plant is the berries that are red in color. They are used for culinary and medicinal purposes. The berries of Schisandra have their own unique taste.
Not surprisingly, in China Schisandra goes by the popular name “five-flavor-fruit" because it combines salty, sweet, bitter, spicy and sour. Schisandra is commercially advertised as a herb and superfood.
A number of traders and specialists put Schisandra alongside superfoods like goji berry and acai berry. It often comes in the form of fresh or dried fruits. Others categorize Schisandra, its extracts in particular, as an adaptogenic herb, because some of its potential benefits are associated with counteracting stress.
How Does Schisandra Act
The berries of Schisandra are rich in a number of nutrients. The most valuable and supposed medicinal properties are the lignans. It is believed that the concentration of lignans in the berries may reach up to 19-20%.
The two most concentrated lignans in the berries are schisandrin and gomisin A. Other powerful lignans are schisandrol A, schisantherin A, terpinene, and pregomisin.
Schisandra is also rich in anthocyanins, which have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Studies indicate that the antioxidant rating of Schisandra is superior to that of vitamin C and has high activity according to the ORAC method.
Use in Traditional Medicine
Schisandra has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine, as it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs. Chinese folklore says that Schisandra calms the heart and spirit.
Schisandra is used mainly in the form of wine or herbal tea. It is alleged that it stimulates the "chi" in the lungs and kidneys, purifies the kidneys, improves the water balance and quenches the thirst, helps with diarrhea and regulates increased sweating.
Russian scientists have found that Schisandra has been traditionally used by the Nanai hunters to improve their night vision. They have also used it as a vital tonic and regulator of appetite, thirst, and fatigue.
According to the claims of local tribes, Schisandra allows one to "hunt a sable all day without food." Russian studies in the 20th century were the ones that rediscovered Schisandra as a powerful adaptogen, which has served the local hunters for centuries.
Not surprisingly, in China Schisandra has the popular name 'five-flavor-fruit" because it combines salty, sweet, bitter, spicy, and sour.
Proven and Potential Benefits for Humans
- Several in vitro studies have demonstrated that the lignans in Schisandra (gomisin B, gomisin G, and gomisin K3) exhibit strong activity against antigens of the hepatitis B;
- The intake of Schisandra reduces the blood concentration of the enzyme glutamate-pyruvate transaminase-(SGPT) in patients suffering from hepatitis. The high levels of this enzyme are a sign of liver damage. A permanent regulation of the levels of the enzyme in chronic hepatitis is noted;
- In vitro studies confirm the powerful antioxidant properties of the fruit of Schisandra to effectively neutralize free radicals. They have been highly effective against one of the most potent free radicals such as superoxide;
- The lignan gomisin H decreases proteins that occur in hepatic carcinoma, suggesting a potential the anti-cancer properties of Schisandra. At this stage, the studies are limited to only in vitro;
- Traditionally Schisandra has been used as an adaptogenic herb and stimulator of energy and stamina. One study on humans has shown that the combination of Schisandra, eleuthero, and Rhodiola demonstrates an increase of the concentration, observation, speed, and accuracy in stressful tasks;
- Schisandra has potential benefits for the boosting of energy, stamina, and regulation of fatigue during exercises. In practice, the herb has been recognized, but there is insufficient scientific evidence for the benefits thereof;
- There are numerous observations on the effects of Schisandra on sight. Old Russian research suggests that Schisandra improves the night vision. According to others, Schisandra improves the vision in the initial manifestation of myopia in children, but is not effective in progressive myopia;
- The combination of Rhodiola, eleuthero, and Schisandra improves the condition of pneumonia within 14-15 days and precludes the need for antibiotics;
- Observations on humans have shown that taking Schisandra may improve Mediterranean fever;
- In vitro studies have shown that Schisandra has the ability to lower blood glucose and to improve insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetes. This may be due to the high content of anthocyanins and the potent antioxidant activity.
Side Effects
It is considered that there are no noticeable side effects. However, some individuals are not tolerant of the fruit and exhibit side effects such as nausea and mild diarrhea. These effects might also be manifested in the case of tolerance if a large amount of Schisandra is taken at once.
Because it increases the acids in the stomach, the herb is not recommended for a case of colitis and ulcers. Some of the lignans in Schisandra stimulate the uterine and may cause contractions in the uterus.
The intake of Schisandra is not recommended for pregnant women because it can cause premature birth. There is insufficient information on possible side effects during lactation, so experts recommend avoiding the use.
Not recommended is the intake by sufferers from epilepsy because of Schisandra’s properties to stimulate the nervous system. So far there is not enough scientific information on possible side effects of epilepsy.
What to Combine Schisandra With
It has been found that the use of Schisandra with certain drugs may decrease dramatically their effectiveness. The concomitant intake of Schisandra with tacrolimus and warfarin because it accelerates their decay and decreases their effectiveness.
Because of the detoxification properties of Schisandra, its intake is not recommended with drugs such as diclofenac, ibuprofen, and tamoxifen.
It should be emphasized that the experts do not recommend coadministration, which means that the use of Schisandra after medication can help purify the body from unwanted residues.
Schisandra can be combined successfully with other nutritional supplements, but their selection depends on the goals. Schisandra can be used as an adaptogen to regulate stress and fatigue.
In such a case a successful combination with other proven adaptogens as Rhodiola, ginseng, and eleuthero, ashwagandha can be made. Schisandra can be used for more energy and tone during the day as the combination of green tea and ginseng is appropriate.
From a health point of view, Schisandra has promising benefits as a liver detoxifier. It can be successfully combined with other substances such as turmeric, N-acetyl cysteine, and milk thistle.
Schisandra has potential benefits in sports supplementation. It is successfully used as a power engineer before training, as it is appropriate for stimulating both the strength training and the aerobic workouts.
To increase stamina the combining of Schisandra with ginseng, Rhodiola, l-carnitine, and beta-alanine are recommended. For an increase of the focus and energy during anaerobic exercises the combination with Rhodiola, caffeine, tyrosine, beta-alanine, DMAE, and arginine is recommended.
Recommended Doses
Schisandra can be taken as raw extract raw or dried fruit and tea. It has been found that 2,000 mg of extract and 15,000 mg of raw fruit per day are completely safe.
For improvement of hepatitis 2,000 mg of fruit or 500 mg of the extract can be used.
For improvement of the mental and physical health between 500 mg and 2000 mg of extract, up to 6000 mg of fruit and up to 15 000 mg fruit for making tea can be used.
How Can We Find Schisandra
Schisandra is not popular as a dietary supplement, but it is offered by some manufacturers, especially the ones specializing in herbal extracts and Eastern medicine
More often is Schisandra available as organic food in the form of dried berries or powder.
Today Schisandra is used in some popular formula s like Controlled Labs White Flood Reborn, Universal Animal Rage, Ronnie Coleman MyoBlitz, and Ronnie Coleman Beta-Stim. Schisandra is also available in the form of tea, but it not so popular on the market.
