Extracts from the fruits (seeds) of Schisandra chinensis L. are one of the components of medicinal preparations designed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, diseases of the central nervous system related to the old age, as a nutritional supplement in the treatment of neoplasms, diabetes, etc. They are also used for the production of nutraceuticals (soft drinks and health foods), preparations for oral hygiene and for the care for the skin and hair.

Benefit
Schisandra chinensis herb, originally a Japanese-Manchurian endemite, yields a vegetable drug (Schisandrae fructus) with a number of very utilizable therapeutic effects. Studies indicate schisandra has hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative capabilities. It is obvious that a very positive therapeutic effect based on the use of a complex mixture of its principal constituents because their biological effects are complementary and potentiate each other. At the same time, some lignans (e.g. gomisin A, gomisin N) are interesting as new prospective medicines.

Components of Schisandra
Some of the active ingredients in schisandra include dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schizandrin, wuweizisu A, B, C;wuweizichun A, B; wuweizi ester and schisanhenol.

Properties of Schisandra
Antioxidant and liver protection -- Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the effect of Schisandrin B (Sch B), an active ingredient of the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, on enhancing the hepatic glutathione antioxidant system in mice, as evidenced by the hepatoprotection against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity. Our results strongly suggest that the mechanism of hepatoprotection afforded by Sch B treatment may involve the enhancement of mitochondrial glutathione redox status.

Protection of brain cells -- Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from schisandra chinensis may possess therapeutic potential against oxidative neuronal damage induced by excitotoxins.

Schisandra health benefits according to traditional use
Schisandra is an overall tonic that, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, is used to treat the following conditions. Scientific proof is still lacking for these claims and future research will give us additional clues.

Imbalanced fluid levels. Because of its kidney tonic effect, schisandra is useful in treating thirst, night sweats, excessive sweating, urinary incontinence , and the frequent urge to urinate.

Circulatory disorders. Schisandra may be used to treat poor circulation and poor heart function.

Intestinal disease. Schisandra has been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery.

Fatigue. Schisandra may help to reduce fatigue, improve endurance, improve work performance, and build strength. It is recommended for persons who need high levels of energy, such as athletes.

Liver disease. Schisandra is used to treat hepatitis and poor liver function. In one clinical study, schisandra successfully treated 76% of the patients with hepatitis. It has been shown to improve both virally and chemically induced hepatitis.

Mental and emotional illness. Schisandra has been shown to improve mental clarity, concentration, and coordination. It reduces forgetfulness, irritability, and nervous exhaustion. Schisandra is used to treat stress and may be part of a useful treatment for depression.

Respiratory disease and disorder. Schisandra is used to treat allergies. It treats respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and wheezing.

Sensory organ failure. Schisandra has been used to help improve failing sight and hearing. It enhances the sensation of touch.

Sexual disorder. Schisandra tones the sexual organs of both men and women. It increases the production of sexual fluids, improves male sexual stamina, and treats premature ejaculation and low sex drive.

Skin rash. Schisandra has been used to treat skin conditions, including hives and eczema.

Sleep disorder. Because of its adaptogenic properties, schisandra can relieve insomnia and dream-disrupted sleep.

Miscellaneous. Schisandra counteracts respiratory paralysis caused by morphine overdose, and strengthens uterine contractions to promote healthy labor and childbirth.

Uses of schisandra herb
Schisandra fruit is used as raw materials for both medicine and food. Due to its high nutrient value and health care function, Schisandra fruit has been widely applied to food industry. At present it has been widely used to make dried fruit, fruit wine, fruit juice, edible pigment, food preservative, fruit jam, fruit tea, fruit extract powder and oral liquid etc.
   In recent years, researches have been made on manufacturing process of schisandra fruit juice and beverages. Natural antioxidant and schisanhenric acid are found in the Schisandra fruit. During the manufacturing, the fruit juice could preserve a long time without adding preservatives; get fresh characteristic sour taste without adding citric acid; and retain bright red color without adding any pigment, even be diluted with 10 times water. All the above make schisandra fruit series products “green”, as well as provide safe pollution-free raw materials for preservative and pigment for the food industry.

Schisandra supplement questions
Q. I was recently diagnosed with a condition called birdshot choroidopathy. I was advised to take the herb Shisandra, and I was wondering if it is ok to take the eyesight RX formula at the same time, or is there already shisandra in that formula.
   A. There is no schisandra in the Eyesight Rx formula, but depending on the dose of the shisandra, we suggest using Eyesight Rx every other day or every third day and to have approval by your doctor.

Can schisandra and yohimbe be used together?
    Only if the dosage of yohimbe bark is low.

We are in process of attempting to make a beer with Schisandra in Belgium. The TTB is denying our SOP because we cannot produce any documentation that Schisandra is food grade Do you have any advice or a source for “Food Grade” Schisandra Powder?
    We have not looked into this topic.

Schisandra Supplier
Now here comes the best harvest season for Schisandra Fruit (Schisandra chinensis). Unfortunately, due to frost and poor climate condition, the output of new crop this year is reduced largely, but the buyers’ demand from Chinese and international markets are increasing everyday. Under this situation, the new crop’s market price has been a lot increased since harvest began. Good quality schisandra fruit is getting less and less with the demand increased. Herbasin know this situation well because we're located in the main producing areas of schisandra fruit. We feel responsiveness to keep you up to date of the latest situation, and hope this letter could be of help for you to make purchasing plan or budget for next year around properly. If you do need schisandra fruit in high quality, please do not hesitate to make decision early. No sooner than later you’ll find it’s hard to get high quality of schisandra fruit even you’d like to pay more for this special fruit.  Please feel free to contact me if we can help on this fruit. We're glad to offer you the best quality schisandra fruit and other herbs with the most competitive price. Herbasin ( Shenyang ) Co., Ltd. -PIC GMP Certified Chinese Herbs- No.35, The Youth Street Shenyang 110014, P.R. China