Where Does Authentic Famous Chinese Herb Schisandra Come From? A Detailed Guide to Its Benefits and How to Eat It

Schisandra is also known as mountain Sichuan pepper, Xuanji, Wuwei, Diaoliu and so on. It is a relatively famous medicinal herb in China, possessing five medicinal flavors: sweet, sour, sweet, salty and pungent. Regular consumption can be good for the liver. So where does authentic Schisandra come from? What benefits does it have? Can it be eaten directly?

Where does authentic Schisandra come from?

Schisandra is the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, a plant in the Magnoliaceae family. It is a perennial deciduous vine. The plant can be grown for ornamental purposes, and the fruit is customarily called “North Schisandra” and used medicinally. It grows wild or is cultivated in Northeast China, North China and other regions. The quality of that produced in Liaoning Province is the best, and it is known as “Liao Schisandra.” It is also produced in the Soviet Union, Korea and Japan. Tang et al.’s Newly Revised Materia Medica records that “the skin and flesh of Schisandra are sweet and sour, the kernel is pungent and bitter, and all have a salty taste,” hence the name Schisandra (five-flavor fruit). There are about 20 species of Schisandra plants in China. The fruit of Schisandra sphenanthera produced in central China is also used medicinally and is called “South Schisandra.”

Benefits and effects:

1. Protects the liver and regenerates liver tissue

Schisandra can promote the liver’s detoxification process, protect the liver from toxins, and regenerate liver tissue damaged by alcohol abuse, medication or hepatitis.

Human test results show that Schisandra is especially effective for those suffering from chronic hepatitis caused by viruses (including types A, B, C, D and E). In fact, according to a clinical trial report from China, it has a 76% success rate in treating hepatitis patients, and without any side effects.

2. Protects and enhances heart function

Schisandra is beneficial for oxygen exchange in tissue cells, and in some cases of hypoxia and myocardial damage, it has been proven to have a protective effect on heart tissue. It can also slow heart rate and relieve high blood pressure.

3. Nourishes yin and consolidates essence, suitable for both men and women

Schisandra is one of the most effective yin-nourishing and essence-consolidating supplements, suitable for both men and women. It can promote sexual endurance and enhance women’s sensitivity of the external genitalia. It can activate the production of nitric oxide (NO), thereby enhancing men’s physical strength and endurance.

4. Improves intelligence and mental soundness

Schisandra can activate the nervous system, promote reaction ability, mental concentration and coordination, and enhance clarity of thinking. Despite its activating effect, it does not have the restless side effects of caffeine. This small berry is sometimes also used to treat depression, and helps improve irritability and forgetfulness.

5. Enhances physical endurance

Schisandra can enhance endurance and strength and accelerate physical recovery. In Russia, research results using factory workers and children as test subjects showed that Schisandra can improve endurance, enhance physical strength and reduce illness.

6. Fights against free radical damage

Free radicals are the main cause of atherosclerosis, cancer, coronary heart disease and insufficient immunity, and are also the culprit behind the accelerated aging process. The lignans contained in Schisandra are powerful antioxidants that can inhibit free radicals and increase the level of the antioxidant glutathione in the liver.

7. Delays the aging process

Research reports show that Schisandra is often used as a supplement for anti-aging and boosting vitality, and recent research results have further elucidated this principle. Studies have found that the lignans contained in Schisandra can enhance the energy production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) or mitochondria (the cell’s energy reservoir), while protecting mitochondria from oxidative stress. These effects are sufficient to explain why Schisandra can slow the aging process and delay the onset of age-related diseases such as heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

8. Nourishes and enhances kidney function

From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra is often used to nourish the kidneys and promote fluid production, helping to treat night sweats, excessive thirst and frequent urination, and it is also very helpful in treating urinary incontinence and premature ejaculation.

9. Powerful adaptogen, able to combat stress and emergencies

Schisandra is one of the most effective plant adaptogens, able to improve intelligence, physical and sensory function, and enhance resistance to stress. In short, it can help the human body withstand stress factors such as cold, heat, noise and emotional overload, thus helping to improve work performance, enhance endurance and reduce fatigue.

10. Other benefits:

Improves vision (including night vision), improves hearing ability, strengthens the lungs, relieves respiratory system infections (such as chronic cough, shortness of breath and wheezing sounds when breathing), enhances human immunity and resistance to disease, accelerates post-illness recovery, restores energy depleted by prolonged fatigue, enhances muscle activity during exercise, and resolves skin problems (including hives and eczema).

Can it be eaten directly?

Yes. There is no difference in function between fresh Schisandra and sun-dried Schisandra. Both can be eaten. The dosage of fresh Schisandra is larger than that of sun-dried Schisandra, and fresh Schisandra spoils easily, so pharmacies all use sun-dried ones.

How to eat Schisandra:

1. Schisandra congee: Wash Schisandra clean, then decoct it in boiling water, and keep the medicinal liquid; add japonica rice to the Schisandra liquid and cook it into congee, and take it after the congee is done. This recipe can very well treat the disease of cirrhosis, not only can it maintain health, but it can also keep the body away from the troubles of disease.

2. Put equal amounts of Schisandra and longan together into a pot, add clean water and decoct twice, controlling the time of each to one hour; then mix the two medicinal liquids together, add an equal amount of honey and continue to simmer over low heat, finally making it into a paste. It is recommended to take it twice a day, which can very well treat conditions of qi deficiency and insufficient blood in the body as well as poor sleep quality. In addition, if symptoms of dizziness, head distension and palpitations occur, this traditional Chinese medicine can also be taken, with very good results.

3. Wash Schisandra clean and dry off the water, then put it together into a pot and stir-fry over low heat. After it is slightly charred, brew it together with green tea and honey using boiling water, and after five minutes the lid can be removed and it can be taken. This method of making Schisandra tea is not difficult, but it has many benefits for the body. It not only has the effect of refreshing the mind, but its effects on the kidneys and liver are also very obvious.