Schisandra chinensis (schisandra) – a natural way to boost energy and reduce stress
For thousands of years, the Chinese have used Asian Schisandra berries in traditional Chinese medicine to revitalise and strengthen the body. Thanks to its remarkable effect on improving physical and mental well-being, Chinese magnolia vine is one of the increasingly popular adaptogens in the world of science and healthy eating promotion. What is worth knowing about the properties of Schisandra, and is its use really effective in improving health?
Schisandra - what is it?
Schisandra Chinensis, or Chinese magnolia vine, is a climbing plant from the Schisandraceae family. Schisandra berries grow mainly in north-eastern Asia, especially in China and Russia. It is in the history of these two countries that we find most of the traditional literature describing the use of Chinese magnolia vine in herbal medicine.
In addition to its edible fruit, the plant has been used for hundreds of years to treat stomach, respiratory and cardiovascular disorders. Schisandra can grow up to eight metres tall and produces pink flowers and red, plump berries. It is the Schisandra berries that are known for their wealth of health benefits. Schisandra berries - full of health and exotic flavour
Schisandra berries are also called ‘five-flavour berries’ and ‘Wu Wei Zi’ because they have a unique, distinctive taste. When eating the berries, we can taste a variety of flavours, ranging from sweet, salty and spicy to bitter and sour.
Schizandra berries belong to a very select category of plants called adaptogens. Schisandra berries are known for their remarkable ability to adapt to any type of stress, reducing its negative effects on the human body. Due to their taste and range of properties, the berries can be an interesting addition to breakfasts, porridge or shakes.
The remarkable properties of the superfruit - schisandra berries
What are Schizandra berries recommended for and what do they help with? Their effects are useful for, among other things:
- Reducing stressful stress
- Toning the body
- Calming the nerves, maintaining mental and physical calm
- Treating insomnia and mild depression
- Counteracting chronic fatigue;
- Improving clarity of thought
- Detoxifying the body
- Regulating blood glucose levels
- Fighting viral and bacterial infections
- Oxygenating the blood, improving memory
Schizandra – how does it affect the human body?
Chinese magnolia vine supports the body in many situations. Traditional and modern uses of Schizandra have shown that the berries of the plant affect the human body in the following ways:
- Anti-diabetic effect – the pulp of the berries inhibits alpha-glucosidase and alpha-amylase enzymes in the blood. Their main role is to ensure that carbohydrates in the diet are absorbed by the digestive tract, thereby increasing the risk of hyperglycaemia or exacerbating diabetes. Schisandra berries reduce blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, factors that have a noticeable effect on diabetes prevention.
- Antimicrobial activity – the oils contained in the berries have antimicrobial properties. They show significant activity in boosting the immune system, helping to fight foodborne bacteria, such as Salmonella and Listeria
- Increased physical and mental performance – studies show that citron berries have a positive effect on mental abilities, improving concentration, reflexes and memory. The fruit also reduces signs of fatigue and enables faster recovery in stressful situations, such as competitive sports.
- Improvement of the cardiovascular system – the flavonoids contained in the fruit have a cleansing effect on the blood vessels. They remove calcium deposits and protect the body against the dangerous effects of progressive atherosclerosis.
- Aphrodisiac effect – according to traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra berries increase libido in both men and women. They not only increase the desire for love, but also improve impaired potency by promoting better blood circulation in the genital area.
- Improved skin health – Schisandra has a rejuvenating effect not only from the inside, but also from the outside. It helps to retain moisture in the skin, preventing it from drying out and giving it a youthful freshness. The antioxidant effect of Schisandra extracts protects the skin from free radicals and improves circulation in the blood vessels of the skin layers.
How does Schisandra protect the liver from harmful substances?
The hepatoprotective effect of Schisandra berries deserves special attention. Schisandra fruits have a protective effect on the liver, positively influencing the prevention of hepatitis. In addition to its purely protective effect, it also supports the regeneration of liver cells.
This effect is due to the lignans contained in Schisandra berries, of which about 30 have been identified to date. Lignans probably activate liver enzymes that produce glutathione in cells. This molecule is an extremely important antioxidant that protects the liver from the harmful effects of free radicals. In addition, it supports liver detoxification after consuming heavy meals or large amounts of alcohol.
Chinese magnolia vine – what are its distinctive properties?
Chinese magnolia vine consists of a wide range of active compounds that provide a multitude of therapeutic benefits. The most important active compounds of Schisandra include:
- Lignans – in particular schizandrin and gomisin
- Flavonoids – with rich antioxidant properties
- Terpenoids
- Polysaccharides
- Phenolic acids
- Vitamins – such as B6, C and E
- Trace elements – selenium and zinc
Thanks to the above ingredients, Schisandra berries are distinguished by their adaptogenic, blood-purifying, hepatoprotective and aphrodisiac properties. What is more, they regenerate and rejuvenate the skin and hair, which is why the active ingredients of Schisandra are successfully used in anti-ageing products due to their revitalising properties.
Schisandra chinensis – a health-promoting adaptogen from the Far East
Adaptogens are substances whose health-promoting effects have been scientifically and historically documented throughout history. These substances strengthen the body against biological, physical or chemical attacks, providing effective help in protecting the body. Schisandra is credited with several effects typical of adaptogens:
- Enhances overall well-being
- Reduces feelings of anxiety and stress
- Stimulates the immune system
These effects, including the noticeable stimulating sensations, are probably achieved by increasing dopamine levels in the central nervous system. Dopamine, acting as a happiness hormone, stimulates the mind while balancing the body's disturbed homeostasis. The individual components of Schisandra seem to work together, making Schisandra berries a truly effective adaptogen.
Schisandra in tablets – is it effective?
Schisandra berries can be consumed in the form of fresh berries, extract, powder or tea. In addition to these, one of the more innovative forms of Schisandra supplementation are tablets containing the pure essence of the plant, free of chemical additives.
The tablets usually contain between 100 and 400 mg of powdered Schisandra berries. For optimal results, it is recommended to take one capsule three times a day. They can be taken before meals and before training to improve overall physical performance.
Bibliography
‘Schisandrin B protects against solar irradiation-induced oxidative stress in rat skin tissue’ – P. Y. Lam et al., Fitoterapia scientific journal, Elsevier, 2011.
‘Lignans from Schisandra chinensis ameliorate cognition deficits and attenuate brain oxidative damage induced by D-galactose in rats’ – T. Yan et al., scientific journal Metabolic Drain Disease, Springer, 2016.
‘Evidence-based efficacy of adaptogens in fatigue, and molecular mechanisms related to their stress-protective activity’ – A. Panossian, G. Wikman, scientific journal Current Clinical Pharmacology, BenthamScience, 2009.
‘An immunostimulatory polysaccharide (SCP-IIa) from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill’ – Y. Chen et al., scientific journal International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Elsevier, 2012.
‘Potential of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. in Human Health and Nutrition: A Review of Current Knowledge and Therapeutic Perspectives’ – A. Nowak et al., scientific journal Nutrients, MDPI, 2019. ‘In vitro and in vivo anti-hyperglycaemic effects of Omija (Schizandra chinensis) fruit’ – S. H. Jo et al., International Journal of Molecular Sciences, MDPI, 2011. ‘Antidiabetic Effect of Schisandrae Chinensis Fructus Involves Inhibition of the Sodium Glucose Cotransporter’ – Y. Qu et al., scientific journal Drug Development Research, Wiley, 2015.
‘Schisandrin B regulates lipid metabolism in subcutaneous adipocytes’ – H. Y. Kwan et al., Scientific Reports, Nature Publishing Group, 2017.
Schisandra chinensis Prevents Alcohol-Induced Fatty Liver Disease in Rats – H. J. Park et al., Journal of Medicinal Food, Mary Ann Liebert, 2014.
‘Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schisandra spp. selectively inhibit the growth of the intracellular bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia trachomatis’ – E. Hakala et al., scientific journal The Journal of Antibiotics, Nature Publishing Group, 2015.
‘Total Lignans of Schisandra chinensis Ameliorates Aβ1-42-Induced Neurodegeneration with Cognitive Impairment in Mice and Primary Mouse Neuronal Cells’ – X. Zhao et al., PLoS One scientific journal, PLoS, 2016.
‘Improvement of liver function in humans using a mixture of schisandra fruit extract and sesamin’ – H. F. Chiu et al., scientific journal Phytotherapy Research, Wiley, 2013.