Schisandra

Common names: Schisandra also is known as schizandra; gomishi, hoku-gomishi, kita-gomishi (Japanese); and wu-wei-zu (Chinese.)

Efficacy-safety rating:

●●...Ethno or other evidence of efficacy.

Safety rating:

What is Schisandra?

The family Schisandraceae comprises 2 genera (Schisandra and Kadsura). Schisandra spp. are climbing, aromatic trees, with white, pink, yellow, or reddish male or female flowers. The fruits are globular and red with several kidney-shaped seeds. The fruit is harvested in autumn when fully ripened. S. chinensis is native to northeastern and north central China and is found in eastern Russia.

What is Schisandra used for?

Schisandra is one of the many traditional Chinese herbs recommended for coughs and various nonspecific pulmonary diseases. It has been studied extensively in Chinese and Japanese literature. Schisandra had been used for healing purposes for more than 2,000 years. The Chinese name for the plant, “wu-wei-zu,” means “5-flavored herb,” because of the flavor of the 5 main “elemental energies” of the plant. Its fruit has a salty, sour taste.

Besides serving as a tonic and restorative, schisandra has other reported uses, such as liver protection, respiratory treatment, GI therapy, adaptogenic properties, and others. Schisandra is a nervous system stimulant, increasing reflex responses and improving mental alertness. In China, the berries are used to treat mental illnesses such as depression. It also is used for irritability and memory loss. Schisandra has been evaluated for its inhibitory effects on the CNS as well. In Chinese medicine, it is used as a sedative for insomnia.

While there are some animal studies indicating possible benefits from schisandra, research reveals no clinical data regarding the use of schisandra for the nervous system, liver, GI tract, or respiratory system.

What is the dosage of Schisandra?

Schisandra fruit is used as an adaptogen at doses of 1.5 to 6 g/day. A standardized extract containing 3.4% schisandrin has been used in a clinical trial for improved athletic performance at 91 mg/day of extract.

Is Schisandra safe?

Contraindications have not yet been identified.

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Because of its documented effects on hepatic and gastric enzyme activity, it is possible that schisandra may interfere with the metabolism of other concurrently administered drugs.

Research does not report any incidence of side effects.

Schisandra has the ability to produce profound CNS depression.

References

Copyright © 2006 Wolters Kluwer Health

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