Schizandra berry (Schizandra chinensis) information

Source:
A berry-like fruit of the family Schizandraceae, it grows on a thorny creeping bush that is native to Northern China. The Schizandra plant reaches a height of up to 25 ft (7.5 m) and has pink flowers. Schizandra fruit is fully ripened in the fall and appears as numerous spikes of tiny, bright red berries. The berries have sweet, sour, hot, salty, and bitter tastes hence the Chinese name for Schisandra, "Wu Wei Zi" (five-flavored herb).











Traditional uses:
In ancient China, Schizandra was used as a staple food for hunting and gathering tribes.  In Beng Cao Cang Mu, a great book on pharmacy written by Li Schizheng in the 16th century, Schisandra is listed in the highest ranks. Schizandra is said to increase energy, replenish and nourish the viscera (internal abdominal organs such as intestines, The lungs are not located in the abdominal ), improve vision, boost muscular activity and sooth both coughs and digestive problems, rejuvenates skin, and improve sexual endurance. The herb is also used as a tonic for the treatment of chronic fatigue.

Schizandra seems to have been made into a famous tonic consumed by  Chinese royalty and by Daoist masters. The herb is said to contain the ”three treasures”

1) Sexual enhancer – helps to produce increased sexual fluids and sexual endurance and overall strength.

2) Beauty enhancement – the herb has been used for centuries a youth preserver making skin supple, moist and radiant.

3) Memory improvement – used in China for centuries as a memory enhancement and promoting a generalized feeling of well being.

Physiology: Schizandra is known for its ability to increase levels of nitric oxide which is an important component of erection physiology. In a cascade of events that starts with erotic thoughts and/or physical sensations  nitric oxide is release from nerve endings in the penis. Nitric oxide act as a relaxant that allows blood vessels to dilate, supplying increased blood flow and swelling of the tissues. This increase in the flow of blood also creates an increased tension on the blood vessel wall which activates the release of more nitric oxide. The increase release of nitric oxide further allows the blood within the penis to dilate, increasing both the length and girth of the penis.

Clinical Studies:
Research has indicated that the supplemental use of Schizandra increases the nitric oxide in the circulation. In a recent study published in Phytomedicine 1999 Mar;6(1):17-26, standardized extracts from Schizandra and Bryonia alba roots were applied to several groups of athletes in a placebo controlled double blind study.  The study revealed that those individuals treated with Schizandra chinensis and Bryonia alba extracts increased the concentration of nitric oxide and cortisol in blood plasma and saliva. As mentioned above nitric oxide is an important chemical in erection physiology.

Modern day uses:
Today, Schizandra is prescribed by physicians and herbal specialist for the following:

Impotence – secondary to Schisandras ability to dilate blood vessels men report improve erections.

Anti-hepatotoxic –Schisandra contains lignans that are known to have liver protective qualities including liver regeneration properties. Lignans also interfere with a compound known as platelet activating factor that is responsible for some properties of inflammation.

Antioxidant – the herb also has some other antioxidant properties other than just Vitamin E.

Adaptogenic properties – helps the body adapt to changes associated with stress from physical, mental, chemical and environmental sources.

Cardiovascular system - the herb is also responsible for dilating the blood vessels, hence, improving circulation, lowering blood pressure and improving heart function.

Respiratory system – the herb acts as an expectorant (promoting the clearing of lung mucus), and cough-suppressant.

Precautions and/or adverse effects:
Individuals with preexisting medical conditions should consult with their physician particularly if they are taking prescription or over-the-counter-medications or supplements. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding and children should also consult with there physician prior to taking any new supplements. Schisandra is very safe for long-term use, there have been very few side effects reported at the time of this writing. The few uncommon side effects include decreased appetite, upset stomach, heartburn, and possibly a skin rash (return to homepage).