Schisandra, also known as the Magnolia Vine, is an adaptogenic herb used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is considered one of 50 fundamental herbs, and contains essential oils, acids and lignans that - according to modern Chinese research - can help regenerate liver tissue damaged by alcohol.
The classical treatise on Chinese herbal medicine, the Shen Nung Pen Tsao Ching, describes
Schisandra as a high-grade herbal drug useful for a variety of medical conditions.
The primary liver protecting and immuno-modulating constituents are the lignans schizandrin, deoxyschizandrin, gomisins, and pregomisin. Specifically,
Schisandra is thought to strengthen and protect the liver through regeneration and detoxification. It is supposed to increase metabolic activity and relieve fatty degeneration of the liver.
One identified group of active ingredients is dibenzo-cyclo-octadiene lignans, which appear to be supportive against oxidative neuronal damage induced by excitotoxins in the brain.
[1] Lignans have also been found to lower blood levels of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, a marker for various liver disorders.
Modern studies have shown promise in confirming
Schisandra as a liver protectant, adaptogenic and antioxidative agent.
[2] In one clinical trial there was a 76% success rate in treating patients with hepatitis with no major side effects.
[3]
The Russians were on to something. Scientific research carried out in Russia from the 1940s to present supports the medical efficacy of
Schisandra for different conditions.
[4]
Ingredient Research
1. Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from schisandra chinensis protect primary cultures of rat cortical cells from
glutamate-induced toxicity. J Neurosci Res. 2004 May 1;76(3):397-405. Courtesy of; Kim SR, Lee MK, Koo KA,
Kim SH, Sung SH, Lee NG, Markelonis GJ, Oh TH, Yang JH, Kim YC.
2. Opletal, L., Krenkova, M., and Havlickova, P. [Phytotherapeutic aspects of diseases of the circulatory system. 7.
Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill.): its composition and biological activity]. Ceska.Slov.Farm.
2001;50(4):173-180.
3. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An
excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world
4. Panossian A, Wikman G. Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in
medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jul 23;118(2):183-212.
Additional Resources
1.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schisandra
