Schisandra Chinensis

Goji berries, acai berries, sea buckthorn berries, yumberries, macqui berries, blueberries…all considered “superfruits” for their nutritional content and antioxidant potential.  I’m sure you’ve heard of at least a few of those, but you likely have not heard of what could very well be considered the original super-berry:  the adaptogenic Schisandra berry.  

The berries of the Schisandra chinensis plant have been used in Traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean medicine for thousands of years.  They are known as “wu wei zi” in TCM which means “five flavor berry”.   You see, these berries have the very unique property of possessing all five flavors of TCM:  sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent.  Because it possesses all five flavors, it benefits the 5 yin organs:  liver, kidney, heart, lungs and spleen.  It is widely used as a tonic remedy to increase energy and fight fatigue. 

                As an adaptogen, Schisandra berry displays the required properties to be considered a true adaptogen:  non-toxic; reduces stress; non-specific benefits (works throughout the entire body) and normalizing.  It has been shown to decrease fatigue, increase physical work capacity and promote endurance and stamina.  They are also quite useful for the immune system, particularly during times of stress.  When we are stressed, our bodies are more susceptible to infections like colds and flus.  I’m sure it’s happened to you.  When you think that nothing else could possibly go wrong, you wake one morning with a splitting headache, sore throat and a nasty cough.  Our defenses are down when we are under lots of stress.  Schisandra can stop that from happening.   These little red berries keep our immune systems alert and ready to attack invading pathogens even when we don’t feel like we can attack the next load of laundry. 

                The benefits don’t stop there.  Schisandra also has an unusual dual effect on the nervous system.  As I said before, it is used for fatigue and work capacity.  These show a somewhat stimulant property on the nervous system.  Keep in mind that this only happens when we need it; when we are under stress.  At the same time, Schisandra can have a calming effect on the mind and can ease anxiety.  These berries can actually increase our resistance to emotional stress and create a platform where we are more equipped and ready to handle the many emotional stressors we face from day to day. 

                Modern research has shed light on schisandra’s significant benefits for the liver.  It is a potent hepatoprotective  (liver-protective)  herb and has strong antioxidant effects specifically in the liver.  Basically, it helps the liver rid the body of toxins – whether they are the result of normal, everyday metabolic processes or something environmental. 

             

      It’s incredible that a small red berry would have so many benefits in the body.   Now, you could eat these, I suppose.  It’s common in China that medicinal plants are added to foods to increase their healing properties.  But I’m thinking that the weird flavor profile (first salty, then sweet and sour, then bitter and pungent) may not be appealing to most.  Schisandra is widely available as a dietary supplement.  It also makes a great complement ingredient in formulation.  And remember when the next fad “super-fruit” berry comes around that these little red berries have stood the test of time.  They were super 3,000 years ago and still are today.  

Panax Ginseng (Asian Ginseng)

Panax ginseng has a long, rich history of use in China, Korea and Japan that goes back thousands of years.  It is a well-known adaptogen and a widely used restorative tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Its scientific name “Panax” comes from the Latin word “panacea” because of its use for a huge variety of conditions.  Panax ginseng is one of the most studied herbs on Earth.  Its safety has been well established, not only through scientific research, but also through historical usage.  And even so, it has gotten a bad rap here in the States.  We are unfortunately “ginseng phobics” – the phobia being rooted in misinformation and simple misunderstanding of the plant. 

                The team here at Redd is not afraid of ginseng.  We feel it is one of the most prized natural medicines available to us.   Remember that Panax ginseng is a true adaptogen.   In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is one of the great tonic remedies, used to restore “qi”, or vital energy, and restore vitality.  Ginseng promotes resistance to fatigue and stress; increases physical work capacity; stimulates learning and is radioprotective.  It looks to balance and nourish; to support the normal functions of the immune, cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous system. All of these effects are very well-established.  There are so many health benefits of ginseng that I could write volumes on this plant alone.  The roots of Panax ginseng contain various components – polysaccharides, sterols, and saponins.  The active constituents in the roots are collectively called “ginsenosides”, and the amounts of these active compounds can vary depending upon the age of the plant, where it was grown and other factors. 

                Asian ginseng comes in many forms and many varieties.  This is where I think some of the confusion comes in.  There are 2 distinct forms of Panax ginseng that are widely available here in the States – white and red.  White Panax ginseng is simply dried in the air and sun.  Red Panax ginseng is steamed and then dried.  The steaming process slightly changes the properties of the root and essentially the effects in the body.  Red ginseng is much “warmer” than white ginseng, which is considered “slightly warm”.  These obviously aren’t terms we use in Western Medicine, but think about them for a minute….it makes sense.   A “warm” or “hot” herb is more stimulating; hence, its effects in the body might give more of a “push”.   The warming nature of the herb helps to move energy around the body.  While red ginseng is still considered a tonic, it is used when more of a “push” would be more appropriate for a person.  Ginseng is commonly used for fatigue and exhaustion.  In these cases, a little push is certainly needed.  And this brings me to another point…misuse.

                Much of the negative attention ginseng has received has a lot to do with misuse.  I don’t know why, but many of us have this “more is better” attitude.  It isn’t necessarily the “more ginseng” that is the issue; it’s the “more” of every other stimulant people consume with it.  Remember the first criteria for all adaptogens – they must be nontoxic and safe.  This is true of ginseng.  There is no known toxicity.  There are no known or recognized contraindications according to the World Health Organization and the German Commission E.  Caffeine, on the other hand…certainly has known toxicity issues – is the most widely abused stimulant in the world.  Put those two things together and the “push” it creates in the body can be significant.   It’s not inconceivable that mass amounts of ginseng (especially red) paired with excessive amounts of caffeine could cause issues.  Let me try to explain why.  Caffeine is a stimulant that artificially extends the central nervous system beyond its limits.  (That’s why we experience the “crash”).  Panax ginseng is going to make this artificial boost even stronger, because it is looking to balance a system that is obviously out of whack.  It will also up-regulate body systems, such as the adrenals and the central nervous system, because they need it.  It isn’t the ginseng that causes the irritability or the rise in blood pressure – it’s the caffeine.  If the correct type of ginseng is used in the correct doses in the absence of excessive amounts of other stimulants, the outcome would be very different – it would be normalizing. 

Panax ginseng is the grand-daddy of all adaptogens.  (Its Chinese name, ren shen, actually means “man root”.)  This incredible adaptogen has had the trust of several cultures for many millennia.  And as long as you don’t follow it up with a few cans of Red Bull, you can experience the truly significant health benefits of this little root.