Edit by Yongyuan Bio Amy

I. Introduction of Schisandra Chinensis

Schisandra chinensis, the name of traditional Chinese medicine. It is the dry mature fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill., a Magnoliaceae plant. It is commonly known as "Schisandra chinensis". Distribution in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Shandong and other places.

II. The Origin of Schisandra Chinensis (Five flavors )?

In autumn, the fruits are harvested when they are ripe. Dry in the sun or after steaming , and then to remove stalks and impurities. Tang Dynasty's "New Materia Medica" contains " the skin and fruit of Schisandra chinensis has a sweet and sour flavor, the core tastes acrid and bitter, all have salty taste", so it has the name of Wu Wei Zi (Five flavors ). Schisandra chinensis is divided into South and North. Ancient medical books call it "Chi Zhu", "Xuan Ji" and "Hui Ji", which first appeared in Shennong Herbal Classic. It can nourish and strengthen the body, has high medicinal value. It is combined with Ganoderma lucidum to treat insomnia.

III. Nutritional Components of Schisandra Chinensis

Schisandra chinensis is rich in organic acids, proteins, pectin, fat, vitamin C, flavonoids, phytosterols, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, copper, nickel, titanium, silver, lead and other inorganic elements. Lignans are the main active ingredients of Schisandra chinensis, including Schisandrin, Schisandrin A, Schisandrin B, Schisandrin C and more than 20 other ingredients.

 IV. The Function of Schisandra Chinensis

1. Protecting the liver

现代医学研究发现五味子中含有大量的甲乙丙素还有醇甲乙等等，这些物质对于体内的化学物质具有很好的抑制作用，所以对于肝脏细胞具有很好的保护作用，抑制化学物质在我们的身体出现转氨酶的释放，降低细胞的活性。除此之外，五味子还具有增加肝脏解毒能力的作用，令身体更加健康。

Modern medical research found that Schisandra chinensis contains a large number of Deoxyschizandrin, γ-Schizandrin, Pseudo-r-Schizandrin and Schizandrin, Aomisin and so on. These substances have a good inhibitory effect on the body's chemical substances, so they have a good protective effect on liver cells, inhibit the release of chemical substances in our body transaminase, reduce cell activity. In addition, Schisandra chinensis can also increase the ability of liver detoxification, making the body more healthy.

2. Astringing the lung to stop cough

Scientists have found that the schisandrin contained in Schisandra chinensis has a good effect on stimulating breathing. In addition, Schisandra chinensis contains certain acidic ingredients, which can effectively dispel phlegm and relieve cough after entering the body. Besides, it can also effectively treat chronic bronchitis.

3. Beauty

According to “Classic of Materia Medica”, Schisandra chinensis "main invigorating qi, supplements deficiency, strengthens Yin and improves man's sperm". γ-Schizandrin and schisanhenol have antioxidant effects, which can scavenge free radicals and inhibit the formation of lipid peroxide. In addition, Schisandra chinensis can reduce serum cholesterol and increase protein content in brain and liver, which indicates that it has anti-aging effect.

A study in Hong Kong shows that Schisandra chinensis combined with Chinese knotweed has higher antioxidant activity than vitamin E. In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis is usually used in combination with ginseng and Ophiopogon japonicus (a herbal plant). Glissandra has launched a high-end anti-aging product line that uses Schisandra as its core ingredient.

V. Compatibility of Schisandra chinensis

Improving sleep: Jujube seed, Poria cocos, Lily, Ginseng, Gastrodia elata, Ganoderma lucidum, Acanthopanax senticosus, Cypress seed, Polygala, Lycium barbarum , etc.

Protecting liver injury: Pueraria lobata, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Lycium barbarum, Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus, Hovenia dulcis, Licorice, Ginseng, Poria cocos, Curcuma longa, etc.

Enhancing immunity: Lycium barbarum, Ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Poria cocos, Honey, Royal jelly, Ophiopogon japonicus, Panax quinquefolium, Ganoderma lucidum, etc.

Relieving fatigue: Lycium barbarum, Epimedium, Ginseng, Astragalus membranaceus, Ophiopogon japonicus, Panax quinquefolium, Acanthopanax senticosus, Rhodiola, Chinese yam, Mulberry, Ejiao(Donkey-Hide Gelatin), etc.

Delaying aging: Ginseng, Lycium barbarum, American ginseng, Ophiopogon japonicus, Royal jelly, Astragalus membranaceus, Licorice, Jujube seed, Acanthopanax senticosus, Poria cocos, Rhodiola, etc.

VI. Market of Schisandra Chinensis

1. In recent years, the output of Schisandra chinensis has been decreasing due to the reduction of area, disaster, aging of fruit trees, over-harvesting and other factors.

2. Previously, it was mainly exported to Korea and Japan in the international market. But in recent years, South Korea has begun to build its own planting base and become self-sufficient, the amount of Schisandra purchased from China has been decreasing year by year. According to the survey, the annual demand of Schisandra chinensis has been maintained at about 7500 tons in recent years.

3. The price of Schisandra chinensis was 40RMB/KG in November 2015, 75RMB/KG in June 2016, 160RMB/KG in 2017, 125RMB/KG in 2018.

VII. Research and Application of Schisandra Chinensis

Liu Gengtao, a researcher in the Pharmacological Research Section of Institute of Pharmacology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, started his research on liver biochemistry and pharmacology in China in the 1970s. He focused on Chinese herbal medicines and systematically studied the pharmacological effects of Schisandra chinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, xanthophyll leaf and tetrahydroxanthine on hepatocyte injury. It was found that these compounds have many unique pharmacological activities. It has been proved that many components of Schisandra chinensis can protect the liver from some chemical poisons, antagonize the damage of oxyradical, stimulate the synthesis and metabolism of liver and enhance the activity of cytochrome P450. At present, the development and application of Schisandra chinensis is mainly focused on the new drugs for hepatitis.

VIII. Products Containing Schisandra Chinensis