Schizandra - nature's energy source
Schizandra - nature's energy source

Schizandra - nature's energy source

Schizandra's introduction

Careful and rational attitude to health is a priority aspect of a high quality of life. Despite the constant growth of social well-being and the success of medicine, modernity offers new challenges: today, epidemics of plague have been replaced by epidemics of so – called "diseases of megacities" - decline, dysthymia, apathy and procrastination. The fight against them often involves the need to turn to herbal medicine. One of the means of folk medicine, which has proven its effectiveness more than once, is Chinese magnolia-vine .

Plant description

The Chinese magnolia-vine or Schizandra has been known for several millennia, the fruit of the plant was first tasted in ancient China, where it was called "Uwei-Tzu" - "berry of five flavors". This name is not accidental: the skin of the berries is sweet, the flesh has a pronounced sour taste, the seeds are bittersweet, and during storage, the fruits acquire a light salty flavor. However, the plant is valued not only for its taste, but also in ancient times the unique useful properties of Chinese magnolia-vine were discovered, which made it irreplaceable in traditional medicine. In the East, there are many legends about the life-giving power of Schizandra berries, which has repeatedly saved exhausted and lost travelers in the taiga. In the Eastern provinces of China and Korea, Schizandra has been used by hunters since before our era to maintain longer vigor, clarity of mind and sharpness of the eye.

In Europe, magnolia-vine berry became famous at the beginning of the XIX century, at the same time it was used in Russia. Sailors drank decoctions of the dried berries to fight off scurvy during long voyages, the infusion of Chinese Magnolia-vine before surgery was used by the pilots to improve night vision. Later, it was widely cultivated as a pharmaceutical raw material for drugs of various actions-from the treatment of coughs to strengthening the immune system and actively used in the food industry.

Today, the plant is widely distributed, you can buy Chinese magnolia-vine berries almost anywhere in the world. The natural habitat of the Schizandra is East Asia. It is especially common in China, South and North Korea, Japan, and is also found in Russia: on the banks of the Amur, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories. Schizandra grows mainly in mixed coniferous-leaved forests – on the edges, in valleys, on the banks of small reservoirs. It is also often found in gardens and parks because of its external similarity to the vine, which makes it a non-trivial element of decoration.

Chinese magnolia-vine botanical

The Chinese magnolia-vine or Schizandra has been known for several millennia, the fruit of the plant was first tasted in ancient China, where it was called "Uwei-Tzu" - "berry of five flavors". This name is not accidental: the skin of the berries is sweet, the flesh has a pronounced sour taste, the seeds are bittersweet, and during storage, the fruits acquire a light salty flavor. However, the plant is valued not only for its taste, but also in ancient times the unique useful properties of Chinese magnolia-vine were discovered, which made it irreplaceable in traditional medicine. In the East, there are many legends about the life-giving power of Schizandra berries, which has repeatedly saved exhausted and lost travelers in the taiga. In the Eastern provinces of China and Korea, Schizandra has been used by hunters since before our era to maintain longer vigor, clarity of mind and sharpness of the eye.

In Europe, magnolia-vine berry became famous at the beginning of the XIX century, at the same time it was used in Russia. Sailors drank decoctions of the dried berries to fight off scurvy during long voyages, the infusion of Chinese Magnolia-vine before surgery was used by the pilots to improve night vision. Later, it was widely cultivated as a pharmaceutical raw material for drugs of various actions-from the treatment of coughs to strengthening the immune system and actively used in the food industry.

Today, the plant is widely distributed, you can buy Chinese magnolia-vine berries almost anywhere in the world. The natural habitat of the Schizandra is East Asia. It is especially common in China, South and North Korea, Japan, and is also found in Russia: on the banks of the Amur, in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories. Schizandra grows mainly in mixed coniferous-leaved forests – on the edges, in valleys, on the banks of small reservoirs. It is also often found in gardens and parks because of its external similarity to the vine, which makes it a non-trivial element of decoration.

The plant is a branching Liana with a woody stem that weaves around any suitable supports. Schizandra blooms in the first days of summer, and berries-round and red-ripen at the end of August. Ripe fruits have a thin skin and tender flesh with a rich astringent-sour taste and a pronounced citrus smell.

Chinese Magnolia: the medical properties

The useful properties of Chinese magnolia-vine, its rich history and wide range of uses have provided the plant with widespread recognition. The popularity of Schizandra in folk medicine is comparable, perhaps, with the popularity of ginseng – the "root of life". Schizandra is a valuable source of a number of nutrients that are essential for the human body. Fruits and leaves of Chinese magnolia-vine are rich in fiber, fatty acids, tannin, esters, vitamins B1 and B2, C, E, provitamin A, as well as trace elements. Most of them are preserved during drying, storage, and heat treatment. The leading active ingredient is schizandrin, which is a component of many functional products, supplements and medicines.

The number and variety of therapeutic uses of Chinese magnolia-vine is truly impressive.

The plant has a tonic effect, refreshes and accelerates the activity of the nervous system. Magnolia berry is indicated for fatigue, apathy, emotional burnout, drowsiness, chronic fatigue;

it is also used for the treatment of affective disorders, such as sub depressive States. The use of schizandra fruits in food helps to increase productivity, enhance cognitive functions, and maintain a sense of cheerfulness. With intense physical activity, especially in sports, Magnolia-vine berries are recommended to use to increase endurance.

It has a positive effect on blood circulation and heart function, stimulating blood formation. Improves well-being in hypotension, asthenia, dizziness, weakness, strengthens the walls of capillaries and blood vessels.

The fruits of the plant are used as a functional ingredient in dietary menus for diabetes and overweight, they have a small caloric content and at the same time have an increased content of nutrients. Chinese magnolia-vine improves muscle tone, stimulates oxygen saturation of muscle tissues, activates metabolic processes, accelerates the breakdown of carbohydrates, promotes faster glucose breakdown.

It is used as a preventive and auxiliary agent for respiratory diseases, especially for asthma.

Indicated for improving intestinal peristalsis. Juice or decoction of berries softens the symptoms of gastritis with low acidity.

It is actively used for the prevention and treatment of vision loss. Pharmaceutical products from Schizandra have proven effectiveness for improving peripheral vision, increasing the light sensitivity of the eye and speeding up the process of dark adaptation.

The plant also has a General health effect. Known anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of lemongrass. Its use helps to adapt to changes in climate and sleep patterns, cope with seasonal viral diseases and permanent stress.

Despite the numerous medicinal properties of Chinese berry, it should be borne in mind that the plant is not a universal remedy. The use of Schizandra will not replace professional medical care, although it can have a noticeable positive effect on health.

Recipes and the use of Chinese Magnolia vine

Schizandra can be used for cooking at home tinctures and decoctions, a variety of drinks and dishes: jams, jam, syrups, fruit drinks, teas, and as a seasoning. In Korea, Chinese berries, fruit, and honey are used to make a traditional flavored punch called "Omija hwachae"; in Japan, it is used as a sweet syrup to add to teas. Magnolia-vine berries are also used to make wine with an interesting spicy taste.

Tonic infusion of Chinese schizandra – the easiest and most common way to prepare the fruits of the plant. Recipe: 20 g of dry berries pour a glass of hot boiled water, insist for half an hour. Use 1 tablespoon 2-4 times a day for hypotension and asthenic conditions.

A tonic alcoholic tincture of Chinese berry and ginseng will help to cope with increased fatigue, drowsiness, dysthymia, and also ease the course of SARS. Recipe: 50 g of schizandra berries and 50 g of ginseng root wash, chop and mix, pour 1 liter of vodka or alcohol (40-50%), close tightly. Infuse in a dark place for 20-30 days, shaking every day. Shake and strain before use. Apply 20-40 drops, diluting or washing down with water.

A drink made by Chinese magnolia-vine berries can be used as a noble substitute for store-bought juices and lemonades. Recipe: pour hot water over the dried fruit (1 liter per 4 tablespoons), boil for 10 minutes in a container with a closed lid over medium heat, then let the broth stand for 10-12 hours, strain, add sugar (1 Cup per 1 liter) and slowly heat until it dissolves, stirring constantly.

Chinese berry: contraindications

Contraindications of Chinese magnolia-vine are associated with the characteristics of the plant's impact on the human body. When using leaves or fruits in small quantities, negative health effects will not occur, but it is better to refrain from it for hypertension and heart rhythm disorders. Since the plant activates the activity of the nervous system, it is contraindicated for people with an overly excitable temperament, suffering from epilepsy, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and hysterical States. Also, schizandra is not recommended for acid reflux, heartburn and peptic ulcer disease.

Conclusions

The Chinese magnolia-vine is a natural Energizer that allows you to feel rested, while maintaining productivity and an active pace of life. It is indispensable for serious physical or intellectual loads, constant stress and fatigue. Schizandra normalizes mood and General well-being, strengthens health. Berries and leaves of Chinese lemongrass can be used both fresh and dried, they are not only useful, but also have bright and pleasant taste properties.