History of Traditional Use of Schizandra
This plant is sometimes referred to as Chinese Magnolia Vine or Five Flavored Fruit. The five distinct flavors found in the berry correspond to the five phases or Elements of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Sour (Wood), Bitter (Fire), Sweet (Earth), Acrid (Metal) and Salty (Water). Hence it’s name Wu Wei Zi in Chinese. It is considered a Harmonizing Tonic or “King” remedy in Chinese Medicine because of its well balanced energetic nature. Other Herbs in this category include but are not limited to Licorice, Dong Quai, Panax Ginseng, Jujube Dates, and Bupleurum. It is included in every classic text on Traditional Chinese Medicine and has been used to support a healthy functioning endocrine system, digestive system, and to support normal liver function as well as a convalescent tonic herb when the kidney system is involved.
Bensky D, Gamble A. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Revised Edition. Seattle, WA: Eastland Press; 1993.
Hong YH. Oriental Materia Medica: A Concise Guide. Long Beach, CA: Oriental Healing Arts Institute; 1986.
Structure Function Claims
Supports Healthy Functions of the Liver.
Encourages Healthy Digestion and GI Functions.
Naturally Balances Endocrine Functions.
Mechanism of Therapeutic Action
Schizandra is classified as an Adaptogenic Herb. Russian Scientist Nicolai Lazarev discovered adaptogens in 1947 and defined them as such; 1)They are completely non-toxic to the human body and have almost no harmful effects no matter what amounts or how long they are used, 2)They catalyze responses in the body’s mental and physical performance as well as provide resistance to stressful insult at the cellular level, 3)Their effect is to balance and normalize the body’s systems leading to overall homeostasis and health. There has been a fair amount of research done on the extract and its isolated constituents. The major chemical constituents in Schizandra berry are; schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, schisanhenol, schizandrol, sesquicarene, citral, stigmasterol, and vitamins C and E. Much of the clinical research has focused on the effects of Schizandra on liver function, especially its effect on the production of various liver detoxifying enzymes and the activation of the CYP450 enzyme system, as well as the antioxidant activity of the extract. More research is needed to fully understand the exact biochemical activity of this tremendous plant.
Lu H, Liu GT. Effect of dibenzo[a,c]cyclootene lignans isolated from fructus Schizandrae on lipid peroxidation and anti-oxidative enzyme activity. Chem Biol Interact 1991;78:77-84.
Li XJ, Zhao BL, Liu GT, Xin WJ. Scavenging effects on active oxygen radicals by schizandrins with different structures and configurations. Free Radic Biol Med 1990;9:99-104.
Li XY. Bioactivity of neolignans from fructus Schizandrae. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 1991;86:31-37.
Liu KT, Lesca P. Pharmacological properties of dibenzo[a,c]cycloctene derivatives isolated from Fructus Schizandrae chinsesisIII. Inhibitory effects on carbon tetrachloride induced lipid peroxidation, metabolism and covalent binding of CCl4 to lipids. Chem Biol Interact 1982;41:39-47.
Liu GT. Pharmacological actions and clinical use of fructus Schizandrae. Chin Med J 1989;102:740-749.
Specific Differentiation of Gaia Herbs Product
Gaia Herbs tests all batches of Schizandra raw material for Heavy Metal contamination as part of its Standard Operating Procedures (SOP). The Liquid Extract is manufactured as a WholePlant Standardized extract, delivering 5mg/ml of Schizandrins. The chracteristic flavor, deep red color, and consistency of dose -to- dose therapeutic activity set this Schizandra Extract apart from any other commercially available extract. Gaia Herbs captures the essence of Natures Vitality
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