Food for Health
Food for Health
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra spenanthera)
Ingredients

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra spenanthera)

Explore the available health information, treatment context, and integrative evidence for Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis, Schisandra spenanthera).

Background
  • Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), also spelled schizandra, is a vining shrub native to northern and northeast China, as well as areas of Korea and Russia.
  • Schisandra berries are called wu wei zi in Chinese, translated as "five-flavor fruit," based on their salty, sweet, sour, pungent, and bitter flavors. The dried fruit is formed into powder, tinctures, and wine, and used in capsules and teas either as a single ingredient or in a combination herbal product.
  • The berries of schisandra have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to increase the body's resistance to stress, for liver protection, immune system effects, and as a "harmonizing agent" in herbal formulas. In Russia it has been used for increasing attention, concentration, coordination, endurance, and strength.
References
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  • Chang, J and Xie, J. [Total synthesis of schizandrin, the main active ingredient isolated from the Chinese herbal medicine fructus schizandrae]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1998;33(6):424-428.
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  • Chen, J and Tian, G. [Ecological investigation on Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. of the Changbai Mountain]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 1992;17(4):204-5, 255.
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  • Cyong, JC, Ki, SM, Iijima, K, et al. Clinical and pharmacological studies on liver diseases treated with Kampo herbal medicine. Am J Chin Med 2000;28(3-4):351-360.
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  • Iwata, H, Tezuka, Y, Kadota, S, et al. Identification and characterization of potent CYP3A4 inhibitors in Schisandra fruit extract. Drug Metab Dispos. 2004;32(12):1351-1358.
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  • Kim, BH, Lee, YS, and Kang, KS. The mechanism of retinol-induced irritation and its application to anti-irritant development. Toxicol Lett. 12-15-2003;146(1):65-73.
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  • Li, Y, Xu, C, Zhang, Q, et al. In vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori action of 30 Chinese herbal medicines used to treat ulcer diseases. J Ethnopharmacol. 4-26-2005;98(3):329-333.
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  • Melhem, A, Stern, M, Shibolet, O, et al. Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection via antioxidants: results of a phase I clinical trial. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2005;39(8):737-742.
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  • Panossian, A and Wikman, G. Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 7-23-2008;118(2):183-212.
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  • Ram, VJ. Herbal preparations as a source of hepatoprotective agents. Drug News Perspect. 2001;14(6):353-363.
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  • Wang, K, Tong, YY, and Song, WZ. [Determination of the active ingredients in Chinese drug wuweizi (Schisandra chinensis) by TLC-densitometry]. Yao Xue Xue Bao. 1990;25(1):49-53.
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  • Wang, YH, Gao, JP, and Chen, DF. [Determination of lignans of Schisandra medicinal plants by HPLC]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003;28(12):1155-1160.
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  • Xin, HW, Wu, XC, Li, Q, et al. Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in healthy volunteers. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2007;64(4):469-475.
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