*Eligible for Helping Hand Program

We grow schisandra chinensis on trellises attached to the SHo farmhouse. Our tincture is made from these pure permaculture-grown berries, soaked in organic grape alcohol. The tincture can be taken directly, or used as a flavoring in cocktails or creative no/low-alcohol drinks. Schisandra is an adaptogen and liver support berry, possessing a unique flavor profile—bitter, sweet, sour, spicey, pungent.

Shisandra is often taken by those treating and recovering from Lyme disease. As an adaptogen, it boosts one’s ability to deal with stress. We can confirm its effects from our own direct experience and struggles with lyme. It’s also taken by those dealing with chronic illnesses, including cancer, to enable liver detoxification.

INFORMATIVE LINKS

From Herb Rally:
Herbal Actions: Chinese tonic, adaptogen, sour astringent, hepatoprotectant (hepatoprotectant principles found in the seeds are not soluble in water), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, trophorestorative, expectorant, antitussive, immune tonic, nervine, sedative, strong vital stimulant, aphrodisiac, blood pressure regulator, emmenagogue, oxytocic, anhydrotic

Constituents: Lignans (schizandrin, schisandrols, schisantherins, deoxyschizandrin, gomisin), triterpenes, phytosterols, stigmasterol, organic acids (citric and malice acids), volatile oil, vitamins A, C and E, minerals (phosphorous, manganese, silicon), tannins, resin, sitosterol, saccharides, pectin

Energetics: Balanced energetics due to it possessing all five flavors. Rising, restoring, and stabilizing (Holmes). I have seen Schisandra listed with a wide array of energetics: cooling and moistening, warm and dry, etc.

Tissue states: Astringent, moistening, tonifying

Meridians/organs affected: Lungs, heart, kidneys, liver, spleen/pancreas, bladder, nerves and brain, stomach, intestines

Medicinal uses: Schisandra is a tonic herb acting throughout the body by strengthening and toning many organs in the body, benefiting Qi. Extensive pharmacological and clinical studies have been conducted in Russia/USSR and China for its adaptogenic and hepatoprotective abilities, respectively. Pharmacokinetic findings are specific to lignans schizandrin, schisandrol A, and gomisin A.

Liver protection (Liver and Adrenal Yin deficiencies) – Schisandra has been shown to support the liver with its detoxification process of binding endogenous and exogenous waste and toxins and eliminating them from the body. Much of this activity is due to an apparent strong antioxidant activity, specifically enhancing the hepatic glutathione antioxidant system, and a reported ability to induce liver microsomal cytochrome P-450 and stimulate biosynthesis of protein and liver glycogen (Liu 1991). It helps protect the liver from the damage caused by toxins in the diet and from the environment, improves the overall functioning of the liver, and stimulates the growth of new liver cells. (1)

In 1986, researchers Chang and But reported that more than 5000 cases of various types of hepatitis have been treated with Schisandra preparations, resulting in the reduction of elevated liver enzymes. (1)

Respiratory health (Lung and Kidney Yang deficiency) – Schisandra is well known in Chinese medicine as a respiratory restorative, expectorant, oxygenator, and antitussive. It is indicated for chronic coughing, wheezing, asthma, low respiratory capacity (shortness of breath), altitude sickness, tissue hypoxia, and respiratory infections.

Balancing fluid levels (Kidney Qi deficiency)  – Schisandra is used to tone and strengthen Kidney function and to help the body balance fluid levels. This is useful for the person struggling with night sweats, excessive daytime sweating, and frequent urination.

Sexual health (Kidney Qi deficiency) – as a sexual tonic for men and women, Schisandra increases the secretion of sexual fluids by increasing the “Water Qi” in sex organs. Its astringent action conserves sexual fluids until the appropriate time for release. It is said to increase warmth and sensation in female genital organs.

It is famous for its ability to relieve sexual fatigue and improves stamina. It is an ingredient in a vast majority of sexual tonics for men in Asian herbalism, often combined with Goji, Cistanche, Deer Antler, Cnidium, and Epimedium.

Central Nervous System trophorestorative (Kidney Essence deficiency) – indicated for cerebral and nervous deficiencies including memory loss, loss of concentration, headache dizziness, chronic physical and mental fatigue, insomnia, sleep disorders, nervous breakdown, psychosis, paralysis, cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuritis, myelitis, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Menière’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Guillian-Barré syndrome.

Schisandra is showing relevance as a restorative to the brain and nervous system, specifically stimulating nerve cells, thereby increasing intellectual activity, coordination, and sense perception. This action has been applied to a wide range of neurological conditions ranging from a headache to neuro-degenerative diseases, and neuro-disorders like psychosis. All of the symptoms associated with the conditions listed above seem to respond positively to tonification of the Kidney Essence.

Combat stress (Liver and Adrenal Yin deficiencies) – Schisandra’s traditional use as a tonifier in Chinese medicine was another reason that led the Russians to research this effect. There is a significant amount of evidence, in conjunction with its long-standing traditional use as a tonic, that as an adaptogen, it is effective. The majority of this earlier adaptogenic research is marred with poor study design and insufficient data. Though generally not an accepted category of therapeutic substances in modern medicine, adaptogens are substances believed to reinforce the nonspecific resistance of the body against physical, chemical, or biological stressors. Primarily they are considered to enhance the body’s general physiological adaptive responses (Wagner 1995).

Schisandra is most well-known in the West as an adaptogen facilitating a response to unproductive stress by modulating endocrine and immune functions. By tonifying the adrenal cortex and liver, Schisandra addresses metabolic deficient conditions such as fatigue, endurance, frequent infections, and blood sugar swings. As an adrenal-corticol restorative, Schisandra overcomes chronic loss of stamina, fatigue, stress, over-work and chronic illness.

Many resources cite that Schisandra may be taken daily for long periods of time. According to some schools of thought, this is not advised for herbs classified as adaptogens, as extended use can tax the adrenals without lifestyle changes. Similarly, it is often recommended to take a break with long-term use of tonic herbs. However, this advice as absent in my readings about Schisandra.

Endurance and performance enhancer – Between the1940 and the early 1960’s, the Russians were particularly interested in Schisandra to increase endurance, stamina, and stress-protective effects against an array of environmental factors including, heat, frostbite, skin burns, heavy metal intoxication. In healthy subjects, Schisandra was shown to increase endurance and accuracy of movement, mental performance and working capacity.

The Role of an Herbal Supplement in Lowering Biomarkers for Breast Cancer