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The herb that does almost everything. Schizandra develops the primary energies of life and is thus of great use to any one who consumes it. Schizandra generates vitality and radiant beauty when used regularly for some time. It is a safe and powerful tonic herb which is mildly calming and possessing pain-alleviating properties. If used for 100 days successively, Schizandra is said to purify the blood, sharpen the mind, improve memory, rejuvenate the Kidney energy (especially the sexual energy and functions in both men and women), and cause the skin to become radiantly beautiful.

This delicious fruit is very widely used throughout Asia as a superb Yin essence and blood tonic. Regular consumption of Lycium is traditionally believed to lead to a long, vigorous and happy life. Lycium has long been used as a longevity herb. It is one of the premier anti-aging herbs of Asian herbalism and is believed to fortify the system against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles. And it is said that prolonged consumption of Lycium will promote cheerfulness and brighten the Spirit. Lycium is also said to brighten the eyes and improve vision. Lycium strengthens the legs and has long been a favorite herb of Chinese martial artists and athletes. Lycium fruit is widely believed to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility. Lycium is a quintessential tonic herb.

See "More Information" for considerably more detail on these two herbs.

Primary Traditional Functions
Tonifies all three treasures (Jing, Qi and Shen), tonifies all five elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal) and tonifies all 12 organ systems. It has particular influence on the Kidneys, Liver and Lungs. These herbs are both considered to be highly beneficial to sexual functions of both men and women.

Typical Usage
1 or 2 squeezes of the dropper (~35 - 70 drops), 1 -3 times per day, or as desired

There are two primary varieties of Lycium. The first is called Ning Xia Lycium. This Lycium is the preferred herb of herbal connoisseurs. It is big, has thick fruit meat, has few seeds and its taste is sweet and exquisite. Ning Xia Lycium is further graded according to size, larger ones selling for considerably more than smaller ones. The larger ones tend to be sweeter, and have a juicier texture. The best Ning Xia Lycium, ironically, now comes from Xinjiang Autonomous Region at the very west of China, at the foot of the Mountain of Heaven, a mountain range the nearly equals the Himalayan mountain peaks. The pure snow runnoff is the only water used to grow the Lycium in this region.

Fresh Ning Xia Lycium has the highest content of beta-carotene among all foods on earth. Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes. Therefore, vitamin A ultimately plays a major influence in Lycium’s actions. Lycium’s function on the eyes is related to this factor. Lycium’s vitamin B1 and B2 contents are significant and the vitamin C content of freeze-dried Lycium has been measured to be 73 mg / 100 grams.

Lycium contains a range of immunologically active polysaccharides (LBP). 5–8% of the fruit is polysaccharide. These LBP have been found to have selective pharmacological effects on lymphocytes and have been shown to be able to regulate immunity. Lycium has been shown to have a double direction, regulatory effect on T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in test animals.

Regular consumption of Lycium fruit is believed to regulate sugar metabolism.

Lycium fruit has long been used to strengthen sexual function and to treat sexual impotence. Chinese studies have shown that by taking Lycium fruit orally in the form of an alcohol extract, could markedly increase androgen (free testosterone) levels in the blood, increasing libido in test subjects.

The fruit also contains vitamin C, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%). Lycium contains 18 kinds of amino acids, of which 8 are indispensable amino acids for the human body (such as isoleucine and tryptophan). 50% of Lycium’s amino acids are free amino acid. Lycium contains numerous trace elements, of which the main ones are zinc, iron and copper. Mature fruits contain about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams.

Lycium contains a substance called betaine which protects the liver and which can reduce the phospholipid level and total cholesterol level in laboratory animal’s liver. Betaine has been shown to have no toxicity.

Lycium is rich in trace minerals. It contains significant amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron, germanium, selenium and zinc, plus small quantities of many others.

Lycium contains flavonoids which protect cell membranes.

An iron-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been isolated from Lycium fruit. SOD is a powerful and critical antioxidant found in humans.

Lycium is non-toxic.

History:

Lycium has been considered a major antiaging herb for over 2500 hundred years. It was described as a superior herb in the Spirit Farmer’s Herbal. Tao Hong Jing (456-536 AD), a Daoist master and physician, wrote in his famous herbal classic "Commentary on the Spirit Farmer’s Herbal," that "Lycium tonifies Jing and Qi and strengthens the Yin Dao within a human."

There is an incredible Chinese story in which Lycium plays a major role. The very widespread knowledge of this story in Asia has made Lycium even more popular in China in the past century. One man, Li Qing Yuen, is said to have lived to be 252 years old. His life span has been verified by modern scholars. Born in 1678 in the mountainous southwest of China, he ran away from home at the age of eleven with three travelers. These travelers were in the herbal trade. Together the boy and his three teachers traveled throughout China, Tibet, and Southeast Asia, encountering many dangerous situations, but all the while studying the herbal traditions of all the various regions.

As Li Qing Yuen became older, he became a practicing herbalist, and was well known for his amazing vigor and excellent health. Then one day, when he was around fifty years old, while out on a hike, he met a very old man who, in spite of his venerable old age, could out-walk Li Qing Yuen. This impressed Master Li very much because he believed that brisk walking was both a way to health and longevity and a sign of inner health. Li Qing Yuen inquired as to the old sage's secret. He was told that if every day he consumed a "soup" of Lycium he would soon attain a new standard of health. Li Qing Yuen did just that and continued to consume the soup daily until he was over one hundred and thirty years old !

Naturally, he was greatly revered by all those who knew him and he had many disciples who followed him. Even at this very old age, his sight was keen and his legs were strong, and he continued to take his daily vigorous walks. One day, he was on a journey through treacherous mountains. In the mountains he met a Taoist hermit who claimed to be five hundred years old. Humbled by the great illumination of the old Taoist, Li Qing Yuen begged the Taoist sage to tell him his secrets. The old Taoist, recognizing the sincerity of Li, taught him the secrets of Taoist Yoga (also known as Nei Gong, "the Inner Alchemy") and recommended that Li consume a daily dose of Panax Ginseng combined with Polygonum (Radix Polygonum multiflorum). Ginseng is well-known in the West; Polygonum multiflorum is not yet well-known here, but is highly prized in the Orient as a longevity herb, in the same class with ginseng. He continued to consume his Lycium soup daily.

It is said that Master Li also changed his diet so as to consume little meat or root vegetables and limited his consumption of grain. Instead, he lived mainly on steamed above-ground vegetables and herbs. He lived to be 252 years old, dying in 1930, reportedly after a banquet presented in his honor by a government official. He had married during his lifetime fourteen times and lived through eleven generations of his own descendants, of which he had almost two hundred during two and a half centuries of life.

Though Li Qing Yuen's case is rare, in that it has been reasonably authenticated by both Eastern and Western scholars, tradition is rich in the Orient in the lore of Taoists living to ages unimaginable by us. It is well known that among the Chinese population, the Taoists far outlived all other people. Many lived to be centurions and few died prematurely. The Taoist art of longevity, known as the "Art of Radiant Health" is one of the great legacies of the East. And Lycium has played a major part in Taoist health practice since ancient times. Though it is a common herb, it is one that the Taoists consider to be transcendental.

This delicious fruit is very widely used throughout Asia as a superb Yin essence and blood tonic. It is one of the most popular herbs in the world. Regular consumption of Lycium is traditionally believed to lead to a long, vigorous and happy life. And it is said that prolonged consumption of Lycium will promote cheerfulness and brighten the Spirit. Lycium is also said to brighten the eyes and improve vision. Lycium strengthens the legs and has long been a favorite herb of Chinese martial artists and athletes. Lycium fruit is widely believed to increase sexual fluids and enhance fertility. Lycium, like Ginseng and Ganoderma, is a quintessential tonic herb.

Qualities Associated With Lycium:

Lycium has long been used as a longevity herb. It is one of the premier anti-aging herbs of Asian herbalism and is believed to fortify the system against disease and to provide the energy to overcome difficult obstacles.

This herb is now being used in clinical settings for a number of common maladies. Lycium is used in the treatment of consumptive disease accompanied by thirst such early-onset diabetes and tuberculosis, dizziness, blurred vision, and chronic cough.

Lycium has been tested as an anti-obesity drug. Patients were given 30 grams each morning and each afternoon to be made into a tea. Results were excellent. Most patients lost significant weight.

Lycium is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes. 8-10 grams of fruit is steamed and eaten each time, three times daily (steaming softens the fruits). The daily dosage range of 8–30 grams is typical of medical applications in China.

Lycium fruit, as an ingredient in prescriptions, has been used in a number of recent clinical trials for treatment of bone marrow deficiency conditions (low production of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).

It has been reported that Lycium has been used in the treatment of atrophic gastritis weakened digestion due to reduced stomach activity. Patients consume 10 grams of the whole fruits each time, twice daily before meals for two months or longer.

Lycium is commonly used by first trimester mothers to prevent morning sickness. 50 grams of Lycium is boiled along with 50 grams of Scute for 30 minutes. Drinking this tea is a quick and effective remedy for morning sickness.

Blended with Yang tonic herbs such as Deer Antler, Morinda and Cordyceps, with Qi tonics such as Astragalus and Ginseng, and with Astringent herbs such as Schizandra and Cornus, Lycium is one of the fundamental sexual tonic herbs in Chinese herbalism.

It is said in China that eating a handful of Lycium a day will make to happy for the entire day. Such a practice has a cumulative effect. Eventually, you can’t stop smiling.

Varieties and Grading:

Because of Lycium’s great fame over many, many centuries, it has been collected and cultivated in almost every region of China. It grows on hillsides and ridges in most areas of China. The best Lycium grows in cool climatic areas. The Lycium is collected in the summer and autumn when the fruit is mature. It is spread thin on bamboo mats and dried in semi-shady sunlight. The farmers must be very careful not to touch the fruit with their hands during the drying process because this will cause the fruit to turn very dark, which is unacceptable.

There are two primary varieties of Lycium. The first is called Ning Xia Lycium. This Lycium is the preferred herb of herbal connoisseurs. It is big, has thick fruit meat, has few seeds and its taste is sweet and exquisite. Ning Xia Lycium is further graded according to size, larger ones selling for considerably more than smaller ones. The larger ones tend to be sweeter, and have a juicier texture. Grade 1 Ning Xia Lycium has no more than 370 fruits per 50 grams. Grade 2 has no more than 580 grains per 50 grams. Grad 4 has no more than 1100 grains per 50 grams and no more than 15% damaged fruit.

A second variety is known as Blood Lycium. Blood Lycium is of a lower quality than Ning Xia Lycium. The Blood Lycium Fruit tends to be relatively small, has numerous seeds, has a bright glossy skin that is thicker and tougher than that of Ning Xia Lycium, and is considerably less sweet. Often, Blood Lycium has a distinct tartness that overwhelms the sweetness. Grade 1 Blood Lycium contains no more than 600 fruit grains per 50 grams. Blood Lycium is OK, and it still has the tonic benefits associated with Lycium, but it is far inferior to Ning Xia Lycium.

Blood Lycium is very commonly found in Chinese herb markets, but it is not commonly found in America. Almost all of it is picked up commercially in China by Asian or American manufacturers who process the herb into off-the-shelf products. Premium manufacturers will still use Ning Xia Lycium, but the lower cost of Blood Lycium temps most producers to select it for packaged products.

There are other minor varieties of Lycium available in America. Shandong Lycium is similar to Ning Xia, but is not as sweet and are not usually as plump. They are thus less expensive.

Some suppliers in Asia dye the fruit red to make it more "attractive" to naive buyers. The fruit should be firm and not mushy. Mushy fruit is spoiled. Larger fruit is best. Always taste Lycium before you buy it. It should be delectable. Great Lycium is very sweet and a total pleasure to eat raw or cooked.

We only use Ning Xia Lycium in all DragonHerbs.com products. We use Lycium that is grown 100% naturally at the foot of one of Asias greatest mountains. The snow runnoff is used to irrigate the Lycium. Our Lycium is considered in China to be the creme-de-la-creme of Lycium fruit. It is sweet, plump and contains fewer seeds. It is also the most potent tonic Lycium fruit, from a tonic herbal perspective.

Scientific Knowledge:

Fresh Ning Xia Lycium has the highest content of beta-carotene among all foods on earth. Beta-carotene can be transformed into vitamin A under the influence of human liver enzymes. Therefor, vitamin A ultimately plays a major influence in Lycium’s actions. Lycium’s function on the eyes is related to this factor. Lycium’s vitamin B1 and B2 contents are significant and the vitamin C content of freeze-dried Lycium has been measured to be 73 mg / 100 grams.

The fruit also contains vitamin C, beta-sitosterol (an anti-inflammatory agent), linoleic acid (a fatty acid), sesquiterpenoids (cyperone, solavetivone), tetraterpenoids (zeaxanthin, physalin), and betaine (0.1%).

Lycium contains 18 kinds of amino acids, of which 8 are indispensable amino acids for the human body (such as isoleucine and tryptophan). 50% of Lycium’s amino acids are free amino acid. Lycium contains numerous trace elements, of which the main ones are zinc, iron and copper. Mature fruits contain about 11 mg. of iron per 100 grams. Ning Xia Lycium contains 45% glucose, 7% fructose and 5.5% glucose.

Lycium has been undergoing intense scrutiny as a cancer drug in China and Japan. Lycium fruit, as well as an extract from its leaves, can kill many kinds of cancer cells in vitro. In vivo studies and human studies are proving to be highly promising. Ning Xia Lycium contains 124 ppm of organic Germanium. Germanium has been demonstrated to have anti-cancer activity. Japanese studies indicate that organic Germanium is effective in treating liver cancer, lung cancer, uterine cancer, cervical cancer, and testicular cancer when combined with other drugs. Lycium has been found to induce the production in human beings of g-interferon. Interferon can depress and even kill cancer cells. Germanium possesses the power to take over the hydrogen ion from cancer cells. Losing hydrogen ions can cause depression and even death to cancer cells. Besides Germanium, Lycium has other components that act against cancer. These other components appear to be able to depress or block the synthesis of the cancer cells DNA, which interferes with the cell’s ability to divide and thus lowers the reproductive capacity of the cancer cells.

Lycium contains a substance called betaine which protects the liver and which can reduce the phospholipid level and total cholesterol level in laboratory animal’s liver. Betaine has been shown to have no toxicity and is ultimately eliminated from the body unchanged. Betaine protects erythrocytes membrane from lipid peroxidation caused by H2O`. Lycium is used clinically in China to cure hepatitis B. Carcinogens and hepatitis B virus are two dangerous factors which can lead to liver cancer. Lycium can depress mutation rates and cure hepatitis at the same time, and therefore is considered an important drug in the prevention of liver cancer in China. A great deal of research, both in the laboratory and clinically, is currently being conducted in China and Japan, on Lycium’s curative power over various forms of cancer. It has been found that when added to chicken feed, Betaine safely enhances growth of the animals and increases egg production. It is therefore currently used in poultry farming in Asia.

Chinese pharmacological research indicates that Lycium extracts administered to mice can enhance non-specific immunity, promote production of red blood cells, and increase production of interleukin-2 (IL-2). In the U.S., IL-2 has been under study as an immune promoting factor since 1983, used for some cancers and for HIV infection.

Lycium contains a range of immunologically active polysaccharides (LBP). 5–8% of the fruit is polysaccharide. These LBP have been found to have selective pharmacological effects on lymphocytes and have been shown to be able to regulate immunity. Lycium has been shown to have a double direction, regulatory effect on T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in test animals. When Lycium extract was provided to 20 aged people, once a day, 20 grams each time for 3 weeks, more than 2/3 of the patients’ T cell transformation functions improved by 3.28 times and the activity of the patients’ white cell interleukin-2 increased by 2.26 times. In addition, the results showed that the patients spirit and optimism increased in 100 % of the patients, appetite improved in 95% of the patients, 95% of the patients slept better and 35% of the patients at least partially recovered their sexual function. The Lycium polysaccharides have been found to work together with betaine and physalin, one of the tetraterpenoids, to enhance immunity. LBP has been shown to help reverse the inhibition of white blood cells caused by cancer drugs. The immune-enhancing effect of LBP on IL-2 activity was first reported by the Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology in 1989.

It has been pointed out by Dr. Zhou Jinhuang in Recent Advances in Chinese Herbal Drugs, that LBP enhances cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. In doses as small as 5 –10 mg/kg daily for one week, LBP could increase activity of T cells, cytotoxic T cells, and natural killer cells in laboratory animals.

In a 1992 study of Lycium, reported in the Journal of the Beijing Medical University, Lycium fruit was found to reduce antibodies associated with allergy-type reactions. The authors indicated that this was, in their opinion, accomplished through the mechanisms of promoting CD8 T cells and regulating cytokines.

Lycium fruit has been reported to be a useful treatment for psoriasis.

Lycium fruit given to rats lowered their blood cholesterol and blood sugar. It is widely used in China to treat diabetes and hypoglycemia. Lycium fruit given to rats lowered their blood sugar. Regular consumption of Lycium fruit is believed to regulate sugar metabolism.

Lycium has traditionally been considered liver protective. One of the constituents in Lycium, an alkaloid known as betaine, has been shown to protect the livers of laboratory animals from toxic chemicals. Betaine has been shown to treat various chronic liver diseases. Betaine is used by the liver to produce choline, a compound which calms nervousness, enhances memory, and protects against fatty liver disease. Betaine has been used for improving muscle mass. Betaine is also found in garden beets, sugar beets, capsicum and milk thistle.

Lycium fruit given to rats lowered their blood cholesterol, and given to rabbits, it inhibited the formation of atherosclerosis.

Pharmacologic studies have shown that Lycium has anticonvulsant, sedative, and vasodilator effects.

Lycium fruit has long been used to strengthen sexual function and to treat sexual impotence. Chinese studies have shown that by taking Lycium fruit orally and in the form of an alcohol extract, it could markedly increase androgen (free testosterone) levels in the blood, increasing libido in test subjects. It is likely that sitosterols or terpenoids are responsible for this effect. About 10 grams/day of Lycium fruit was reportedly needed to obtain these effects.

Lycium is rich in trace minerals. It contains significant amounts of calcium, phosphorus, iron, germanium, selenium and zinc, plus small quantities of many others.

Lycium contains flavonoids which protect cell membranes.

An iron-containing superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been isolated from Lycium fruit. SOD is a powerful and critical antioxidant found in humans.

Lycium is non-toxic. The LD-50 was determined to be about 8.3 grams/kg (for a human: about one pound of the dried fruit, extracted and injected). Toxicity studies showed that injection of 2.4 grams/kg of Lycium fruit extract did not cause adverse reactions, but at the huge dosage of 25 g/kg, there were toxic reactions.

SCHIZANDRA FRUIT

History:

Schizandra has been used since the dawn of Chinese civilization as a tonic herb. From the beginning it has been revered, and remains one of the elite herbs of the Chinese system of herbalism. It was first written about in Shen Nong’s Pharmacopoeia, where it was listed as a Superior herb. Ancient people considered Schizandra to be the quintessence of tonic herbs and the master of the five elements. Numerous stories and documents express that taking it often would help a person recover their youthful vigor and prolong their life. Schizandra was very popular with the emperors of China because it was believed that Schizandra added to sexual stamina, and since Chinese emperors always had many concubines, this was considered a primary asset. Chinese women historically held it in very high favor as well, especially the women of the imperial court, because of its beauty enhancing qualities. Taoists appreciated it because it was the quintessence of herbs helping to develop their spiritual power. Common people used it to promote vigor and alertness.

According to the ancient book Bao Pu Zi, there was a gentleman named Huai Nan Gong who had been taking Schizandra for 16 years. As a result, he had the complexion of a "Jade Girl" ( a way of expressing beauty in Chinese). The Bao Pu Zi states that Huai Nan Gong would stay dry in water and unburned in fire. This story shows that Schizandra was believed capable of maintaining a human body’s beauty and strength and protecting the body from harm due to the elements.

Qualities Attributed to the fruit and seed:

Schizandra develops the primary energies of life and is thus of great use to any one who consumes it. Schizandra generates vitality and radiant beauty when used regularly for some time. It is a safe and powerful tonic herb which is mildly calming and possessing pain-alleviating properties. If used for 100 days successively, Schizandra is said to purify the blood, sharpen the mind, improve memory, rejuvenate the Kidney energy (especially the sexual energy and functions in both men and women), and cause the skin to become radiantly beautiful.

The very name of Schizandra in Chinese tells us a great deal about the qualities of this herb. Wu Wei Zi means "Five Taste Fruit." Due to the fact that Schizandra possesses all five of the classical "tastes" (sour, bitter, sweet, spicy and salty) and thus possesses the essence of all five of the elemental energies (wood, fire, earth, metal and water), Schizandra is respected as a health-providing tonic in the same class with Ginseng and Reishi.

The Daoists especially revered Schizandra. Schizandra was my teacher’s, Sung Jin Park’s, favorite herb. This is because Schizandra contains all five elemental energies in abundance, contains all three treasures in abundance, and enters all twelve meridians. Master Park considered it to be the quintessential herbal substance.

Though Schizandra is believed to benefit all the functions of the body, its has traditionally been considered to have the most influence on the Kidney, Lung and Liver functions.

Schizandra is said to increase the Water Qi in the Kidney. In particular, it is said to vastly increase the "water of the genital organs," referring to the sexual fluids. Schizandra is said to promote the production of semen. It is famous for its ability to relieve sexual fatigue and for increasing the sexual staying-power in men. It is thus an ingredient in the vast majority of men’s sexual tonics in Asian herbalism.

Women benefit from the same capacity to increase Water Qi of the Kidney. Schizandra is said to increase circulation and sensitivity in the female genitals. Many women claim increased genital warmth and sensation after using Schizandra for a period of time. The Chinese sexual classics claim that continuous use by a woman will increase the amount of "female elixir," a euphemism for vaginal secretions, during intercourse. On the other hand, Schizandra is used clinically to help counteract vaginal discharge.

For both men and women, Schizandra is considered to have "aphrodisiac" qualities, especially when combined with other Kidney tonifying herbs like Lycium, Cistanche, deer antler, Epimedium, etc. Furthermore, Schizandra is one of the most important astringent herbs used in Chinese herbalism. An astringent herb conserves fluids, and in the case of Schizandra, it tends to contain sexual fluids until the appropriate time of release. Thus, consuming Schizandra for a period of time, one tends to build up sexual fluids. Schizandra is used in sexual formulations to prevent premature ejaculation and to help promote incredible endurance.

Schizandra is widely used to beautify the skin and to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun and wind. Due to the astringent quality of Schizandra, the skin tends to hold its moisture and becomes full and beautiful. It has always been very popular with the wealthy men and women of China because of its youth preserving and rejuvenating effects. It is said that those who use Schizandra consistently will remain youthful in both appearance and physiology. I have seen the benefits of this herb with my own eyes hundreds of times in my life. People who start taking Schizandra regularly all change for the better. Their skin virtually glows and becomes clear and fine after several months.

This herb is considered to be one of the premium mind tonics of herbalism. It is used to sharpen concentration, improve memory and increase alertness. Yet, unlike caffeine-like stimulants, Schizandra does not produce nervousness. In fact, some people consider Schizandra mildly "calming" while producing wakefulness and improved focus.

Schizandra is one of the primary cleansing tonic herbs used in Chinese herbalism. Schizandra stands along with Reishi as the primary liver cleansing agents used in tonic programs. Schizandra does not have the side effects that are associated with many of the "medicinal," or "inferior" liver cleansing herbs. It is believed that by taking Schizandra regularly, it is possible to rid the body of toxins before they have a chance to do serious damage. Schizandra, especially alcohol extracts, are widely believed to protect the liver from damage due to poisons, as well as the by-products of living.

Schizandra is among the most popular tonic herbs in Asia and is frequently pictured in ancient art as a symbol of longevity, and even the ability to attain "immortality."

Varieties and Grading:

There are two varieties of Schizandra: Northern and Southern. Northern Schizandra is generally considered to be superior to the southern variety (except by southern collectors and merchants). It is stronger tasting and more potent. The skin and meat of the Schizandra fruit are sweet and sour, the core is pungent and bitter, the whole fruit salty. Virtually all Schizandra is collected wild in the mountains and hills away from cities and industrial areas.

The fruit, which is mature in the fall, is a beautiful, radiant violet-red. The plant grows by entwining itself around short trees in dense areas where forest and grassland meet. In my experience searching for Schizandra in Northern China, I have always found that Schizandra tends to grow in relatively inaccessible areas, often near cliffs and streams. It is almost impossible to cultivate Schizandra and very few farmers try.

Quality:

High quality Schizandra is dried and dark purple with some pinkish tone left. Freshly dried Schizandra still has a very pleasant sweet-sour aroma. With experience you will be able to select premium Schizandra with your eyes closed. The fruit has a wonderful flavor and fresh Schizandra has a smoother, sweeter fragrance

Scientific Knowledge:

The fruit of Schizandra chinensis contains numerous lignin’s, schizandrins A, B and C, deoxyschizandrin, g-schizandrin, pseudo-g-schizandrin, schizandrol and Schizandra esters. Fructus Schizandra contains approximately 3% volatile oil. It also contains vitamins C and E, citral, b-sitosterol and citric acid.

Schizandra is considered to be one of the premier adaptogens. Just like Ginseng, Acanthopanax and Gynostemma, Schizandra increases resistance of the body and mind against nonspecific stimuli. It can protect the body from damage due to extreme or chronic stress. In particular, it can protect the adrenals and prevent atrophy due to extreme stress.

Schizandra has been demonstrated in laboratory animals and in humans to have a stimulant action on the central nervous system. The herb works directly on the nervous tissue. Many studies now indicate that Schizandra actually has a powerful balancing, or regulating, action on the central nervous system. It can result in accurate and optimal balancing between the excitatory and inhibitory control functions of the cerebral cortex.

It has been demonstrated that human intellectual activity can be enhanced and work efficiency increased by consuming Schizandra. Various tests have shown that moderate therapeutic doses of Schizandra can improve various activities requiring concentration, fine coordination, sensitivity and endurance. The tests in humans confirming Schizandra’s efficacy in these areas range from threading needles to running marathons.

Human studies have also shown that Schizandra can improve vision, even enlarging the field of vision, and can improve hearing. It also improves the discrimination ability of the skin receptors. It has been determined that this increased sensitivity is due to improved function of the central nervous system’s ability to analyze data flowing to it from the peripheral sensors.

Schizandra has been shown to have significant respiratory strengthening capacity. It can cause the breathing to be both deeper and more powerful. Schizandra also has significant expectorant and antitussive action.

Fructus Schizandra has been shown to have significant hepatic protective effects. It can promote the regeneration of liver tissue, and promotes protein synthesis, nucleic acid synthesis. It is believed that the protective action of Schizandra is partly due to its ability to promote the regeneration of mitochondria in hepatic cells. Also, it can improve the function of the cell membrane, lowering its permeability which in turn minimizes enzyme leakage into the blood stream.

It can reduce elevated SGPT in patients with chronic hepatitis. In a clinical study conducted in China, more than 5000 people suffering from various types of hepatitis were given Schizandra and the results were very good. The aggregate effective rate was 84-97.9%. SGPT was normalized in about 75% of the cases.

In another clinical study, Schizandra was proved to be very effective in treating various neurotic symptoms, including insomnia, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations and nocturnal emission. It has even been used in cases of psychosis, with symptoms of hallucination, paranoia and neurosis, with good results.

Schizandra chinensis has been found to induce the production in human beings of g-interferon. It contains shizandrin, schizandrol, volatile oil, chamigrenal, malic acid citric acid, tartaric acid, Vitamin C, etc. Extracts of Schizandra have been shown to induce non-specific resistance in humans, comparable to similar effects well established for Panax Ginseng, Astragalus and Ganoderma.

Fructus Schizandra is an ingredient in an extremely important tonic preparation called Formula for Restoring the Pulse, which consists of Panax Ginseng, Ophiopogon root and Schizandra fruit. This formula has been broadly studied in China as an example of how tonic formulations work and because it is very widely used in Chinese hospitals. Experiments have shown that this formula has the effect of dilating blood vessels, increasing the coronary blood flow, enhancing the anoxic tolerance, reducing toxicity of toxins to the body.. It is effective for cardiac shock, acute myocardial infarction and myocarditis, and is tonifying to the heart and effective at raising blood pressure in patients with low blood pressure.