SafePlants

Schisandra: The Five-Flavor Fruit

Schisandra, often misspelled as "Schizandra," is more than just another superfruit. With a history deeply rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, this unique berry offers a range of potential benefits and intriguing characteristics.

Considerations for Pets

• Schisandra is found in a climbing vine, which could pose a risk to pets if they ingest any part of the plant.
• Berries are present, and could be ingested.
• Historically, it has been advised not to consume schisandra during pregnancy.

Considerations for Children

• Schisandra is found in a climbing vine, which could pose a risk to children if they ingest any part of the plant.
• Berries are present, and could be ingested.
• Historically, it has been advised not to consume schisandra during pregnancy.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Schisandra chinensis
• Common Names:
  • Five-Flavor Fruit (Wu Wei Zi)
  • Chinese Magnolia Vine
  • Chinese Schizandra
  • Five-Flavor-Seed
  • Baie de Schisandra
  • Bei Wu Wei Zi
  • Chinese Mongolavine
  • Chinesischer Limonenbaum
  • Chosen-Gomischi
  • Fructus Schisandrae
  • Gomishi
  • Omicha
  • Omija
  • Ngu mie gee
  • Wurenchun

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Magnoliaceae
• Synonyms: Some early publications misspell the name as "Schizandra."

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to forests of Northern China and the Russian Far East.
• Indigenous to northeastern China and Korea.
• Cultivated in northeastern China, especially in the provinces of Jilin, Lianoning, and Heilongjiang.
• Hardy in USDA Zone 4.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Deciduous woody vine that generally climbs on other vegetation.
• Twining shrub.
• Climber growing to 9 m (29ft 6in).
• Leaves are alternate on slender stalks.
• Flowers are unisexual, generally solitary (sometimes paired or clustered in Schisandra propinqua and S. plena).
• Tepals 5-20.

Traditional and Modern Uses

• Used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine to heal various ailments.
• Chinese folklore says that Schisandra can "calm the heart and quiet the spirit."
• The fruit (seeds) are used in medicinal preparations designed for the treatment of cardiovascular issues.
• Used for liver support and stress management.

Quirky Facts

• Schisandra berries are known as the "five flavor fruit" because they combine all five flavors: salty, sweet, sour, pungent, and bitter.

Further Information

• Drugs.com: Schisandra
• Encyclopedia.com: Schisandra
• Medscape: Schisandra Chinensis
• Amazon.com : Starwest Botanicals Organic Schisandra Berry Whole, 1 Pound