Schisandra - Magnolia Vine

Common Names: Schisandra, Magnolia Vine, Magnolia Berry, Five-Flavor-Fruit, Wu Wei Zi, Chinese Magnolia-Vine, Magnolia-vine, Xi Wu Wei Zi, Wuhzi, Bac Ngu Vi Tu, Bei Wu Wei Zi, Chinese Mongolavine, Fruit aux Cinq Saveurs, Gomishi, Schisandra chinensis

Latin Name: Schisandra chinensis

Origin: Asia, Europe

Short Introduction

This plant is well adapted to continental climates and can withstand severe frosts down to -35°C. Nevertheless, it is sometimes damaged by spring frosts at the start of the growing season. For cultivation, it is advisable to delay the vegetative period by covering the plant during winter. The simplest way to cultivate Schisandra is through vegetative propagation from root suckers, which the mother plant produces in abundance. Schisandra can also be propagated by seeds, though the process is more demanding. Seeds should be stored at room temperature for 3–4 months, then for about 2 months in sand at a reduced temperature near 5°C (sometimes directly in a refrigerator is recommended). Young seedlings grow quite slowly at first, by just a few centimeters annually.

In temperate regions, such as the Czech Republic, the plant begins to grow actively around the third year, when it can reach lengths over 10 meters. Schisandra has a delicate root system and thrives best in locations with adequate moisture. It does not tolerate impermeable, clay soils, preferring moist, irrigated, and well-draining soil types. As a climbing vine, optimal growth is achieved by providing a support structure for the plant to climb. A warm, sunny site, preferably on the southern side, is recommended.

Detailed Description

Looking for longevity or healthy liver support? Schisandra is the right choice!

Botanical Information

Schisandra, also known as Schisandra chinensis, is a woody, right-twining vine that can grow beyond 10 meters in length. Its leaves are light green, 5–8 cm long, 2–6 cm wide, deciduous, thin, serrated or toothed, wedge-shaped, pointed, and oval to elliptical. The stems gradually become woody. Schisandra's flowers are unisexual, composed of up to 9 petals, fragrant, and appear on young shoots. The perianth is white to pink. The fruit clusters are grape-like, each made up of pink to red berries, 5–8 mm long.

Origin and Distribution

Schisandra's native range is in the deciduous forests of the Far East, specifically northern to northeastern Asia. It is now found growing wild throughout Asia, especially in northeast China (Manchuria), the provinces of Shanxi, Hebei, and others, in Mongolia, Korea, eastern Russia, and northern Japan. The plant flourishes in continental climates and can even withstand severe frosts down to -35°C, making it suitable for cultivation throughout much of Europe, including the Czech Republic.

Usage / Dosage

Also known as "magnolia berry" or "five-flavor-fruit," Schisandra is cultivated for its health-promoting fruit as well as for ornamental use. In East Asia and Russia, Schisandra berries are used commercially to prepare juices, wines, extracts, and sweets. The berries are edible and have a sour-bitter taste, which some may find intense. In Korea, where the berry is called omija, it is made into tea and lemonade. In Japan, the berries are used both for culinary and other purposes. Among the Ainu, Schisandra berries are given as a remedy for colds and nausea.

The fruit’s bioactive compounds exhibit strong antioxidant effects, due in part to their vitamin C and E content, and support detoxification pathways in the liver. This detoxification may help promote both mental and physical well-being. Numerous studies support Schisandra’s reputational ability to support digestion, detoxification, and normal liver function. Compounds in Schisandra are also known for their ability to cleanse the liver and repair damaged liver tissue following inflammation.

The vitamin C present in Schisandra aids and accelerates the healing process after surgery and boosts immune response. A wealth of scientific studies has described Schisandra’s positive effect in treating certain inflammatory processes, credited to its antioxidant activity. Schisandra suppresses pro-inflammatory arachidonic acid and the synthesis of other inflammation markers like leukotrienes, while promoting macrophage activity.

For decades, research on Schisandra chinensis’s active substances has shown positive results in the prevention and treatment of stress. The consensus is that these compounds provide a protective effect under extreme conditions. They demonstrate proven neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, gastroprotective, and antioxidant effects, reduce the impact of external stressors, and even help prevent atherosclerosis. Animal studies have proven an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effect in several tests, and there is evidence of anti-stress effects and mental health support. Some clinical studies corroborate positive impacts on mental performance, work capacity, and the ability to handle stressful situations in both healthy volunteers and patients.

Enhanced psychological performance has been directly associated with Schisandra’s bioactive compounds. Their use is linked to mental relief and easier coping with stressful situations. These active compounds have demonstrated a central stimulant effect, function as a tonic, and enhance mood. Importantly, Schisandra acts as a potent stimulant, providing hours of wakefulness without unpleasant side effects.

Schisandra is a valuable adaptogen—a non-addictive stimulant with potent detoxifying properties. Its compounds may support the nervous system, mental and physical activity, and endurance, improve mood, and reduce fatigue. Schisandra’s adaptogens increase resistance to stress and environmental challenges. Many in vivo tests describe the stimulating effect of Schisandra in demanding situations, reporting improved work performance and physical stamina. Extracts and fruit intake are linked to a stimulating effect and increased work capacity. Clinical studies have confirmed adaptogenic benefits: healthy volunteers and physically stressed individuals have shown improved work capacity, physical endurance, and attention when taking Schisandra.

Other compounds, including lignans and saponins (such as schizandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyschizandrin, and gamma-schizandrin), significantly reduced cough in both animal and human studies. These substances also lowered the infiltration of neutrophils and other inflammatory markers in the airways, promoting smoother muscle recovery and reducing interleukins and TNF-alpha concentrations in respiratory tissue. Clinical research confirms that Schisandra’s components improve respiratory function and support normal breathing.

Folk Medicine

Traditional uses of Schisandra advocate 1–3 g of berries to help reduce fatigue and boost performance. Schisandra is well tolerated, with no adverse effects and a gentle overall effect. Folk wisdom encourages Schisandra’s use for premature aging prevention, optimizing blood sugar and pressure levels.

Schisandra is among the most widely used herbs in traditional Chinese medicine. Used as a stimulant during tiredness, sports, or demanding journeys, it is often included in formulations for asthma, insomnia, chronic diarrhea, night sweats, erectile dysfunction, frequent urination, and memory impairment. Some use Schisandra to improve vision, guard against radiation, prevent infections, increase energy, and support the adrenal glands.

Active Compounds

Schisandra berries contain a wealth of mucilaginous compounds, resins, saponins, tannins, organic acids (malic, citric, tartaric, tetradecanoic, anwuweizic, argolic, ascorbic acid—vitamin C), essential oils (alpha-pinene, camphene, myrcene, limonene, terpinen, cymene, linalool, terpineol, borneol, citronellol, alpha-caryophyllene, santalol), and lignans (including schisandrin and others). Other constituents are deoxyschisandrin, schizandrin, gomisin, beta-sitosterol, gomisin N, daucosterol, beta-carotene, chamigrenal, epigomisin, gomisin, niacin, riboflavin, schisantherin, sesquicarene, thiamine, tigloylgomisin, and related compounds. Minerals present include copper, manganese, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, and silver.

Traditional Dosage

There are no precise dosing protocols for fresh or dried Schisandra berries across all uses. For extracts, dosing should follow amounts used in clinical studies. An extract with 20 mg of lignans (approximately equivalent to 1.5 grams of dried berries) was given once daily for hepatitis in studies. For improved mental and physical performance, 0.5–2.0 grams of berry extract or 1.5–6 grams of dried Schisandra fruit were given twice daily. Effective dosages will vary depending on lignan content. In traditional use, around 5 grams of dried, crushed berries steeped in cold water are used for various purposes. In Korean medicine, a spoonful of a solution prepared by infusing 10 grams of crushed berries in about 200 ml of boiling water, then steeped, is taken twice daily.