The Effects and Benefits of Schisandra and Precautions for Its Use

Schisandra is the ripe fruit of a deciduous climbing plant in the Magnoliaceae family, and it is also a commonly used traditional Chinese medicinal herb. Although its fruit is small, it can taste sour, sweet, bitter, pungent and salty all at once, which is how Schisandra got its name; the dried product mostly appears as shriveled little red or purplish-red fruits. Depending on the source and place of origin, Schisandra on the market is often divided into two types, northern Schisandra and southern Schisandra, among which northern Schisandra is mainly produced in Northeast China and other areas and is traditionally considered to be of better quality.

In the traditional understanding of Chinese medicine, Schisandra is sour in flavor and warm in nature, entering the lung, heart and kidney meridians, and is said to astringe and consolidate, boost qi and promote fluid production, and tonify the kidney and calm the heart; it often appears in formula combinations for lingering cough with deficient wheezing, fluid damage with thirst, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, and palpitations and insomnia. Modern research has focused on the fact that it contains various components such as lignans, and there has been much discussion around directions such as liver protection and antioxidation, but most of these effects are still at the research stage and cannot simply be equated with confirmed clinical effects.

In daily use, Schisandra is often used to steep in water, brew as tea, infuse in liquor or add to soups and meals, and some people also use it in combination with other medicinal herbs. Because its medicinal nature tends toward astringency, the dosage generally should not be too large; those trying it for the first time can start with a small amount and observe how their body adapts.

It should also be noted that Schisandra is a medicinal herb rather than an ordinary food, and it is not suitable to take it on one's own in large amounts over the long term. People in the early stage of an external-contraction fever, those with excess stomach acid or stomach discomfort should use it with caution, and pregnant women, children and those with chronic diseases had best consult a doctor or pharmacist before use. In addition, products without relevant certification may not arbitrarily claim health-care or therapeutic effects; when purchasing, one should view various promotional claims rationally and avoid being misled by exaggerated statements.