37101

Submitted by admin on Mon, 02/28/2022 - 09:29
Top Product Attributes

  • Common Name

    Schizandra, Wu Wei Zi

  • Botanical Name

    Schisandra chinensis

  • Part Used

    Fruit

  • Clinical Summary

    Click here

  • Monograph

    Click here

  • Alcohol

    45%

  • Dose

    25 to 60mL weekly

Schizandra is treasured in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is becoming increasingly popular in Western herbalism where it is known as hepatoprotective, useful for acute or chronic liver disease, chemical liver damage, poor liver function and improving the detoxifying ability of the liver. It is also used as an antioxidant, adaptogen, nervine tonic and mild antidepressant helpful for improving mental and physical performance, endurance and adaptation to stress. It is used for chronic cough and asthma due to its antitussive effects and can be used to assist childbirth due to its oxytocic effects. 

Main Product Attributes
A guide to Schizandra and its properties

  • Traditional Use

    Schizandra has been used and revered in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The ancient Chinese classified the herb in many ways - as a stimulant, tonic, antiseptic, relaxant and astringent. Schizandra has traditionally been used to treat a wide range of different ailments including coughs, fatigue, impotence, memory loss and nervous complaints. It has perhaps been most acclaimed for promoting longevity and increasing physical and mental stamina. Schizandra’s Chinese pin yin name ‘Wu Wei Zi’ translates to five taste fruit, giving it a special place in TCM due to the importance of the relationship between taste and herbal action. In herbal TCM theory this means that schizandra contains the qualities and benefits of all five flavours pungent, salty, sour, bitter and sweet.

  • Actions

    Antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, adaptogen, immune modulating, hepatoprotective, antitussive, astringent, nervine, sedative

  • Indications

    •    Mental and physical stress
    •    Oxidative stress, inflammatory disorders
    •    Liver toxicity, hepatitis and compromised liver function
    •    Hypercholesterolaemia
    •    Lowered immunity and cancer
    •    Memory impairment, Alzheimer's disease
    •    Insomnia
    •    Gastrointestinal disorders including ulcers and gastritis

  • Energetics

    Warming

  • Use in Pregnancy

    Use in pregnancy is best avoided, though it is often used in late pregnancy to facilitate labour.

  • Contraindications & Cautions

    None known

  • Drug Interactions

    Avoid with sirolimus (selective immune-suppressing drug) and tacrolimus (immunosuppressive drug). Caution with benzodiazepines (e.g. midazolam), phenobarbital and warfarin.

  • Dietary Information

    Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free

  • Substitutes

    Astragalus, Reishi, Siberian Ginseng, Rhodiola, Codonopsis, Withania, Korean Ginseng