Schisandra

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Schisandra
Scientific classification
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Genus:
Schisandra
Species

Schisandra (Magnolia Vine) is a genus of shrub commonly grown in gardens. It is a hardy deciduous climber which thrives in virtually any soil; its preferred position is on a sheltered shady wall. It may be propagated by taking cuttings of half-matured shoots in August. Species include S. chinensis, S. glaucescens, S. rubriflora and S. rubrifolia.

Description

Flowers of Schisandra rubriflora at Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK

Schisandra is native to East Asia, and its dried fruit is used medicinally. The berries of S. chinensis are given the name wu wei zi in Chinese (; pinyin: wǔ wèi zi), which translates as "five flavor fruit" because they possess all five basic flavors in Chinese herbal medicine: salty, sweet, sour, pungent (spicy), and bitter. In traditional Chinese medicine it is used as a remedy for many ailments: to resist infections, increase skin health, and combat insomnia, coughing, and thirst[citation needed].

Species

Over 19 species of the genus are said to be used in Chinese medicine, mostly as sedatives and tonic agents. Schisandra may also aid in the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) when combined with wormwood, ginger, buplerum, and Codonopsis pilosula. However, there is insufficient evidence to support this claim at this time.

Pharmacology

Two human trials in China (one double-blind and the other preliminary) have shown that Schisandra[vague] may help people with chronic viral hepatitis reports Liu KT from Studies on fructus Schizandre cinensis.[citation needed] Schisandra lignans appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes that produce glutathione.[citation needed]

Recently, the extract of S. rubriflora, a native of the Yunnan province, was found to contain complex and highly oxygenated nortriterpenoids called rubriflorins A-C. [1]

See also

References

  1. ^ Xiao, W.-L. et al.. J. Nat. Prod. 2007, Web release : May 10th.

External links

  • Panossian A., Wikman G. Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: An overview of Russian research and uses in medicine . Journal of Ethnopharmacology. Vol 118/2 pp 183-212. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.020
  • Schisandraceae [sensu stricto] in the [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=10803 Flora of North America