Schisandra chinensis: medicinal properties and contraindications

Schisandra chinensis is the oldest relict vine, which, due to the high content of natural adaptogens, is a valuable medicinal plant. Healers of ancient China have well studied the healing properties and contraindications of Schisandra chinensis. It was used to obtain tonic, healing and youth-prolonging products.

Chinese Schisandra - healing properties

Hunters of Primorye and Amur region went lightly to the taiga. They found a wild vine, ate a handful of bright tart berries and could chase game all day without feeling hunger and fatigue. During the Second World War, rations of lemongrass were included in the rations of Soviet pilots - they helped in a night battle, sharpening eyesight and giving vigor.

Russian scientists recognized and studied the medicinal value of Schisandra chinensis at the beginning of the 20th century. The first description of lemongrass properties was given by academician Komarov at the beginning of the 19th century. The Soviet biochemist and plant physiologist, Professor Vigorov L.I., grew lemongrass in the Garden of Medicinal Crops, where plants were collected that effectively prevented and cured various diseases. It turns out that cultivated lemongrass, unlike ginseng, has no differences, in comparison with wild-growing, in its composition and strength of healing properties.

The healing properties of lemongrass are due to the unique composition of bioactive substances.

The plant contains:

• organic acids;
• Sahara;
• tannins;
• essential and fatty oils;
• lignans – schizandrin, schizandrol;
• minerals and vitamins.

In the USSR, starting from the 60s of the last century, the properties of lemongrass were tested on athletes, during competitions, during heavy physical and mental stress, and for various pathologies.

It is reliably established that the preparations of Schisandra chinensis:

• stimulate the central nervous system;
• relieve fatigue;
• contributes to increased visual acuity, especially at night;
• stimulate the cardiovascular and respiratory system;
• treat the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys;
• normalize pressure;
• lower blood glucose and glycogen levels in the liver;
• dilate blood vessels;
• stimulate uterine muscle contraction;
• treat badly healing wounds and trophic ulcers;
• used for sexual dysfunction.

Tea from leaves and bark is a source of vitamins and has an anti-zingotic effect.

Plant application

According to ancient Chinese historical documents the emperors of the Celestial Empire, who used the berries of lemongrass, ruled their subjects 110-115 years, while maintaining physical and mental activity. They had many wives and concubines, because lemongrass helped the rulers preserve masculine qualities until their death. The beauties of ancient China took baths with the juice of schizandra berries and rose, peony, and peach to prolong their youth.

In medicine

In folk and official medicine, all the aerial parts of the vine are used. From them prepare tinctures, decoctions, powders. Fresh berry juice and essential oil are also used.

Preparations from lemongrass are used in the prevention and treatment of:

• anemia;
• thrombocytopenia;
• stimulation of labor;
• tuberculosis
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys;
• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• ARI, ARVI;
• early toxicosis in pregnant women;
• gonorrhea;
• sexual dysfunction;
• infertility
• diabetes mellitus;
• decrease in visual acuity;
• drug intoxication;
• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension
• Depression
• dysentery;
• gastritis, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach;
• nervous and mental illness.

Schisandra preparations destroy pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi. A pronounced bacteriostatic effect of the plant was established in relation to dysenteric amoeba, Koch bacillus, pneumococcus, E. coli.

Schisandra increases muscle endurance, as it reduces the level of lactic acid and increases the amount of glycogen, increases the delivery of oxygen to the fibers of muscle tissue. The active substances of vines stimulate microcirculation in peripheral tissues.

Studies are being carried out on the use of lignans (schizandrin, γ-schizandrin, homisin A) in the treatment of cancer.

Read also:lemongrass far eastern

In cosmetology

Schisandra chinensis is used in cosmetology because of its ability to treat dermatological diseases:

• eczema
• dermatitis;
• atopic dermatitis;
• psoriasis;
• lichen planus;
• vitiligo.

In oil and tincture of lemongrass there are phytohormones that prolong the youth of the skin - eliminate small wrinkles, tone and regenerate the epidermis. The seeds contain essential fatty acids that have a rejuvenating effect. Chinese medicine books say that if one drinks lemongrass juice, "the skin becomes like a rose petal." Schizandra preparations are used for alopecia and early baldness.

For the treatment of skin diseases, ointment from berries, an infusion of fruits are used. The effect is enhanced if you simultaneously take inside the powder of lemongrass seeds.

Essential oil is used for nail fungus, facial mycosis and limbs.

Cosmetics with lemongrass effectively work with lifeless, tired, aging skin. Thanks to substances that have an immunomodulatory effect, Chinese magnolia vine products protect the skin from the negative effects of the environment.

The tannins contained in lemongrass help fight the enlarged pores and eliminate the increased separation of sebum.

Japanese women used the juice that appears on the vine after removing the bark to strengthen the hair, giving it shine and density. They rinsed their hair after washing with a decoction of berries and leaves of lemongrass.

Even if the dry leaves of lemongrass are stored for a long time (more than 2 years), they can be used to prepare anti-aging baths. It is enough to put them in a gauze bag and lower them into a bath with hot water.

Face and hair care products can be prepared at home:

Toning mask:

• alcohol tincture of the plant - 2 drops;
• cream - 2 tbsp. l .;
• cottage cheese - 1 tbsp. l

Mix all components thoroughly. To apply on previously cleared face and neck. Stand for 10 minutes. Remove the mask with a swab dipped in tea from berries and leaves of lemongrass. Wash your face with cool water.

Moisturizing mask:

• berries (dry) - 2 tbsp. l .;
• boiling water - 200 ml;
• honey - 2 tsp

Grind the berries and pour boiling water, boil for 10-15 minutes. Cool the broth, strain and add honey. Moisten a fabric mask and apply on a pre-cleaned face for 15 minutes.

Alcohol Lotion for problem skin:

• berries (fresh) - 2 tbsp. l .;
• vodka - ½ liter;
• glycerin - 1 tbsp. l

Grate the berries and pour vodka. Insist in a dark glass container for a week. Strain, squeeze out the raw materials. Add glycerin to the container. Before use, add 3 parts of warm boiled water to one part of the tincture and wipe the problem skin 2 times a day.

Instructions for use of Chinese magnolia vine

When taking lemongrass preparations orally, its effect occurs after ½ hour and lasts 4-6 hours. Therefore, they are not recommended for use before bedtime, so as not to cause overexcitation and sleep disturbance. Drugs are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach or 4 hours after a meal.

The table below shows the recommended doses for different remedies from Schisandra chinensis:

The duration of medication depends on the type of disease. Instructions for the use of lemongrass are provided for adult patients. For adolescents, the dosage is halved.

How to brew a plant?

To prepare a decoction, plants take:

• 1 tsp raw materials (fruits, leaves, shoots);
• 200 ml of water.

The raw materials are crushed and poured with water. Simmer for 2 minutes. Insist, wrapping a capacity of 30 minutes. The resulting broth is filtered.

To prepare a decoction of seeds, take:

• 1 tbsp. l seed;
• 10 tbsp. l water.

Prepare in the same way as in the previous recipe.

Lemongrass tincture

The alcohol tincture of lemongrass is prepared both from fresh berries and from dry parts of the plant.

Tincture of the plant:

• 1 part of leaves, berries, shoots;
• 20 parts of vodka or diluted to 40% alcohol.

Grind dry raw materials, add vodka and insist 3 weeks.

Berries - benefits and how to eat?

Jam and stewed fruit are boiled from lemongrass berries, vitamin drinks and juice are prepared. Fresh berries are used in the preparation of ointments for the treatment of trophic ulcers, difficult to heal wounds.

To prepare it take:

• 1 glass of berries (dry);
• ½ cup alcohol (96%);
• 1 tsp castor oil.

Chop the berries, mix with alcohol and leave in a warm place for 8-10 hours. Add castor oil to the mixture. Shake the ointment before use. Use the ointment in the form of dressings applied to the affected area until complete healing.

Berry tincture:

• 100 g of fruits (dry);
• 1 liter of alcohol (70%).

Grind the raw materials, add alcohol and insist in a warm dark place for 1-1.5 weeks. Strain through folded cheesecloth in 2-3 layers.

Juice is squeezed from fresh berries, which is drunk fresh or canned. Before use, 1 tsp. concentrated juice is diluted in a glass of hot water. It can be added to tea, but not more than 2 times a day.

Plant seeds

Lemongrass seeds are used to treat:

• asthma
• inflammation of the bronchi;
• tuberculosis
• dyspeptic disorders;
• gastritis;
• dysentery.

Most often, the seeds are taken in powder form.

Scientists at the Far Eastern State Medical University have established the maximum therapeutic dose of creeper seeds:

• adults - 1-1.5 g;
• adolescents - no more than 0.5 g.

Seeds should be washed down with water or milk. Based on them, water decoctions are prepared.

Possible side effects

With prolonged administration of Chinese magnolia vine preparations or their overdose, the following side effects may occur:

• sleep disturbance;
• migraine;
• increased heart rate;
• allergic reaction.

Similar effects occur with individual hypersensitivity or in violation of the rules for taking the drug.

Contraindications

Drugs from lemongrass and fresh berries are not recommended for pregnant women because of the threat of miscarriage or premature birth. You can not use them as therapeutic agents or as food for children under 12 years of age, since phytoestrogens can disrupt hormonal homeostasis.

Schisandra chinensis should not be taken for persons with:

• hypertension
• epilepsy;
• the excitability of the NS;
• hypersecretion of gastric juice;
• circulatory disorders.

Schisandra has a strong bioactive effect, therefore, before its use requires specialist advice.