Description
Source: Mountain Rose Herbs
Organic Kosher
Origin: China
COMMON NAME
Standardized: schisandra
Other: northern schisandra, schizandra
BOTANICAL NAME
Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.
Plant Family: Schisandraceae
OVERVIEW
Chinese folklore says that Schisandra can “calm the heart and quiet the spirit”, and it has a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Schisandra, also known as Magnolia vine due to its ability to grow upwards in a creeping fashion, is a native to Northern China, Russia, and parts of Korea. An ornamental plant found in many fine gardens throughout the world, schisandra is a woody vine with oval pink leaves and bright red berries. The most popular use can be recorded in China and Russia. Its Chinese name is wu-wei-zi, which means five taste fruit. Schisandra has a usually sour, sweet, bitter, warm, and salty taste, hence the name “five taste”. Russian hunters have consumed it for centuries as a tea to help with fatigue.
PARTS USED
Whole fruit.
TYPICAL PREPARATIONS
Some users take 1 teaspoon a day and it makes a lovely infusion in fruit juice. Pour ½ cup to a 1-gallon pitcher of a dark fruit juice and allow it to soak for 1 day. Strain and drink as necessary. Schisandra can also be added to tea decoctions, herbal brews (soft simmer), and is effective as a liquid herbal extract. One can also make an effective schisandra syrup by allowing the berries to soak in Glycerin for 1 month.
PRECAUTIONS
The white film on these berries is the crystallization of sucrose from the berry. Consult a qualified healthcare practitioner before taking with medications. Not for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.