schisandra

What is schisandra and what is it used for?

The schisandra or schisandra (schisandra chinensis) is one of the great tonic and stimulant plants of the Chinese traditional medicine.

His vernacular name, Wu Wei Zimeans “the fruit of the five flavors“: sour, sweet, slightly salty, spicy and very bitter, which we will successively experience as soon as we put one of these berries in our mouths, and which is parallel to the five elements and flavors of traditional Chinese medicine.

The schisandra is a very aromatic vine, of woody stems, which reaches 8 meters high. It has lanceolate leaves and pink flowers, grouped in terminal spikes.

for medicinal purposes the berries are usedred when fresh, harvested when ripe in late summer or early fall.

Is native to north and northeast Chinaas well as the bordering areas in Russia and Korea, but today its cultivation has spread to other parts of the world and in Europe it is common in parks and gardens.

Medicinal properties

The schisandra contains lignans such as schizandrin, phytosterols, vitamins C and E, and essential oil. This composition gives it its adaptogenic properties, among others.

For the liver: Recent studies have confirmed that the lignans contained in its seeds have the ability to regenerate damaged tissues in the liver due to the action of viruses, as in the case of viral hepatitis, the incidence of toxins or excessive alcohol consumption. That’s why I know It is used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and alcoholism, and in general, in liver dysfunctions.For stress, anxiety and convalescence: Its virtue as an adaptogenic plant, similar to ginseng, has also been proven, which makes it very useful for coping with stress and anxiety situations, as well as for regaining strength after a long convalescence, since it has a toning and repairing effect about the organism.For the brain: Schisandra has been recommended as a psychic stimulant, to improve the ability to concentrateintellectual performance, strengthen memory and reduce nervous irritability.Sex tonic: Traditional Chinese medicine attributes to it the ability to maintain balance in the levels of the different fluids in the body, normalizing the rhythm in the emission of urine, reducing night sweats and increasing the secretion of sexual fluids. For this reason it is recommended as an interesting support to improve sexual stamina in man.Other indications: This plant is also indicated against respiratory conditionswith cough and breathing difficulties, against digestive disorderswith diarrhea, and even as a natural remedy to improve the view.

how to take

It is common to find schisandra in the form of supplements, but it can also be taken as an infusion or by salivating the seeds for different purposes:

Tea to increase defenses: This infusion is prepared with a level dessert spoon of schisandra seeds per glass of water. It is boiled for 2 minutes and taken in the morning. Avoid doing it at night, as it could cause insomnia.As a stimulating tonic: A simple way to capture the tonic and stimulating potential of this plant is by taking 3 or 4 seeds and salivating them until they melt in your mouth.Invigorating infusion for men. For this purpose, a decoction of 5 grams of schisandra berries is recommended –which will have been kept in maceration all night– per 1/4 liter of water. Let it rest for 10 minutes and take a daily dose. Tradition states that consumption must be prolonged for one hundred days to appreciate its effects.

Presentation

Schisandra is taken as a fresh and dried berry, in decoction and tincture.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J. Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”