Unusual Herbs: Schisandra

Many North American gardeners may never have heard of this native of China; however, the Chinese have used schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) as a medicinal herb for centuries. [For more about Chinese medicine, see my overview of Traditional Chinese Medicine.] In China, it is known as wu-wei-zi, which means "five-taste berry." It is the taste that is very important, too, in its use by Chinese herbalists.

Schisandra is a deciduous vine that is usually found in northeastern and north central China. It can grow to be 20-feet long and will produce clusters of bright red berries. Most herbs used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are often used for particular ailments based upon the taste of the herb. Schisandra is unusual in the fact that it has all five tastes; i.e., sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and pungent. As a result, it is used to balance other herbal medications and/or to bring the patient's body back into balance, usually by treating fatigue and improving the overall health. It turns out that schisandra does have adaptogenic properties [see Herbal Medicine: What Some of Some of Those Terms Actually Mean] and is a useful herb for counteracting fatigue. It can also give one an overall feeling of better health and general well-being. (Note: Schisandra is not as potent an adaptogen as ginger.)

Schisandra has also been used to treat respiratory ailments; i.e., coughs, allergies, and asthma. It turns out that it inhibits the release of mast cells and pro-inflammatory compounds, which are those cells and substances that trigger an allergic reaction or an asthma attack. In addition, the berries have been used to also treat insomnia. Recent studies have shown that schisandra can actually counteract the effects of caffeine, which probably accounts for its use as a sleep aid.

Even more recent studies have shown that schisandra might be useful as a treatment for both cancer and Alzheimer's. Such studies have shown that it kills cancer cells; however, it is still early in the research process and the verdict is still out. In terms of schisandra being a possible treatment for Alzheimer's, it has been shown to improve memory. It has also been discovered that it can reduce the damage caused to the brain by amyloid-beta peptide, the protein that is part of the development of Alzheimer's. As if these hopeful signs were not enough, schisandra can also promote the regeneration of liver cells, thus offering help to those suffering from liver damage.

While schisandra is not commonly grown in the United States, it can be easily grown in North America. It is not picky about its soil, but it does prefer shade. Seeds should be sown in the spring. It flowers usually from April to May followed by the red berries. Harvest the berries in the fall and allow to sun-dry. You can also take cuttings in the late summer to start new plants. If you cannot find any seeds locally, search reputable seed companies online.

References:

Castleman, Michael. The New Healing Herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Inc., 2009.