Introduction

Worldwide, there are 25 species of Schizandra Berry. It is a member of the Magnolia family, and every spring its vines are full of beautiful pink and white flowers similar to those of the familiar Magnolia tree – only in miniature. The variety we grow at Chang Farm is schizandra chinensis, believed to have originated in Manchuria and considered the most useful of all the varieties for medicinal purposes.

Human use of Schizandra Berry goes far back into pre-history. It was known to be a valuable energy source of ancient hunters on long forages into the wild. The first recorded mention of it came in the First Century BC in China’s earliest herbal text where it was written that it could, “Prolong the years of life without aging.”

From antiquity until now, it is clear that Schizandra Berry has aided countless people live longer, healthier, more active lives. The fact that it has been in continuous use for at least 5000 years, has been horded, revered and praised by the three great cultures of China, Japan and Korea, demonstrates that its reputation has been earned. Its prowess has not happened by chance; it has stood the test of time.

Today science continues to discover many compelling new reasons for people to continue its use. Plant lignans, unique to Schizandra Berry alone, have been recently discovered and studied for their roles in reestablishing health - as well as offering protection from debilitating conditions.

Lastly, and this we can only hint at as the research has just begun, there are scientists presently studying our Schizandra Berry at one of the foremost universities in the United States. Among this group there are some who believe that Schizandra Berry will be able to provide a possible solution in a major health area We hope to be able to bring you more good news about this over the course of the coming year.

Skin Care Benefits

By the time of the Great Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), its reputation for preserving youthful vigor, bestowing beauty and increasing sexual enjoyment was legendary! Chinese women of the Imperial Court, whose ‘job’ it was to ‘practice the Art of Beauty’, were especially taken with Schizandra. Master herbalist Ron Teeguarden echoes this sentiment today when he writes, “Schizandra is widely used to beautify skin and protect it from the damaging effects of the sun and wind. Due to the astringent quality of Schizandra, the skin tends to hold moisture and becomes full and beautiful…I have seen the benefits of this herb with my own eyes hundreds of times…People who start taking it regularly all change for the better. Their skin virtually glows and becomes clear and fine after several months.” So it’s clear that the women of the court were beautiful, but also…

Sexual Health Benefits

Robert Bidleman notes that during the Great Dynasty Period Schizandra Berry was widely used as highly desirable sexual tonic, and for this reason alone was especially prized by women of the court. In an attempt to describe this in as delicate a way as possible, let us say that Schizandra Berry has the ability to moisturize and sensitize… More specifically, Ron Teeguarden writes, “Schizandra is said to increase the Water Qi (Chi) 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”. Teeguarden further offers his perspective as to why Schizandra Berry displays its aphrodisiac effect. He writes, “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 retain sexual fluids until the appropriate time of release”.

Schizandra in Daoism

Going back into China’s ancient history, we find that the Daoists (Taoists) knew of Schizandra Berry perhaps as early as 2000 BC. The Daoists' famed pursuit of longevity, extraordinary health and natural medicines to heal and balance, inevitably lead to the discovery and use of Schizandra Berry, which continues to this day. Ron Teeguarden writes that Schizandra was his Daoist teacher Sung Jin Park's favorite herb because “it 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”. High on the list of reasons it is considered special are its renowned balancing effects on the body and the emotional nature.

Balancing Effects

Chinese herbalists practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have long recognized Schizandra Berry as one of its most important medicinal plants. It is considered one of the ‘Fifty Fundamental Herbs of TCM, an honor especially impressive as there are over 4,500 plants utilized in its practice. Robert Bidleman writes, “In the traditional view, herbs are considered to have a unique ‘signature’ in appearance as well as taste and other attributes. In this case, Schizandra being called ‘Wu Wei Zi’ or ‘five tastes herb’ is very much considered a balanced herb due to this quality of having every flavor. This characteristic of containing all five flavors also relates to its inherent quality of imparting the energy of the five elements in a balanced and profound manner. Perhaps we perceive this balance in a different manner yet the results cannot be denied as these tart little red berries have an unusual ability to tone and balance not only physiological but emotional states as well” …

Cleansing and Detoxifying

A second and perhaps equally important attribute of Schizandra Berry is its usefulness as a detoxifying agent. When taken on a regular basis, it has shown itself to be an important liver and blood cleansing aid (see articles:1 2), helping the body rid itself of toxins before serious damage can occur.

Tonic Effects

In China today, Schizandra Berry is prescribed for a variety of conditions under the watchful eye of TCM Practitioners. As an astringent tonic, it is used for treating dry coughs and asthma. It has been found useful to those suffering from insomnia, urinary problems, night sweats, anxiety, and physical exhaustion. Many find relief from respiratory tract disorders and allergies.

Adaptogenic Properties

In the West, Schizandra Berry is becoming widely known for its adapotgenic effects. Simply defined, an adaptogen is a substance that helps the body ‘adapt to stress’ – be it physical, mental, environmental or combinations of all these factors. Only a few plants display true adapotgenic qualities. They include several forms of Ginseng, Licorice, Rhodiola, and of course Schizandra Berry. Some, like Schizandra Berry, have been observed for centuries for their ability to help humans cope with the stress of living.

In its adaptogenic role, Schizandra Berry works to help bring what is termed “homeostasis” to the organs of the body, balancing functions and exerting a normalizing effect. This balancing becomes evident to the regular user. In addition to relief from stress, there comes improved concentration, mental clarity, reduced fatigue, improved memory, better sleep, more enjoyable sex, and often an elevation of mood and emotional stability.

Adaptogens are capable of offering immediate results to those who are significantly out of balance, physically and, or emotionally. The best way to benefit in the long run - with lasting results - is to use an adaptogen over time. Schizandra Berry and its adaptogenic qualities have been studied since the 1950’s. Early work was done with athletes, soldiers, airline attendants and others. The American Botanical Council’s Monograph on Schizandra (Roy Upton) writes of these studies: “Doses of 350-6000 mg of whole berries, or 2 g of extract, increased stamina and recovery time after exercise, improved the ability to perform concentration-intense tasks, and decreased fatigue. Numerous other studies with racehorses reported enhanced physical performance, faster recuperation and improved serum parameters”.

Sources

• Robert Bidleman
• Ron Teeguarden
• Roy Upton

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