Single Herb Glossary
Wǔ Wèi Zǐ 五味子
| Pharmaceutical name | Schisandrae Fructus schisandra fruit "five-flavored seed" |
| Category | Stabilize and Bind |
| Key Properties | Contains Leakage LU Qi, Grasps Qi Enriches Kidneys, Stops Diarrhea Nourishes Liver, Quiets the spirit Generates fluids |
| Properties | Sour Sweet Warm |
| Tropism | HT, KD, LU |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Contains Leakage of Lung Qi & Stops Coughs 2) Tonify KD, Binds Up Essence, & Stop Diarrhea (vaginal discharge, sperm, Urination) 3) Inhibits Sweating & Generates Fluids 4) Quiets the Spirit while Calming & Containing Heart Qi |
| Dosages | 3-6g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | CI: Excess conditions such as Heat, Damp-Phlegm, Liver Fire, Wind-Heat or rashes that have not cleared; initial stages of common colds, cough, rashes or any exterior condition Herb may cause heartburn |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Deoxyschisandrin, kadsuranin, schisanhenol, schisanhenol acetate, gomisin, schisandrin, isoschisandrin, schisandrol, angeloylgomisin, tiggoylgomisin, benzoylgomisin, rubschisandrin, epigomisin, schisantherin, andeloylgomisin, tigloylgomisin, binankadsurin, angeloylbinankadsurin, isobutyroylibinankadsurin, benzoylbinankadsurin, rubschisantherin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • CNS stimulant: stimulates CNS; increases mental alertness, improves work efficiency, and quickens reflexes • Hepatoprotective: associated with marked hepatoprotective effect against various types of drugs and/or chemical-induced toxicity; in one study, preparation of herb significantly lowered liver enzymes in mice with elevated SGPT levels caused by intraperitoneal injection of 0.1% carbon tetrachloride; in a follow-up study with rats, mice and rabbits, administration of schisandrol (dosages equivalent to 2.5 and 10.0 g/kg of dried herb) demonstrated marked preventative and treatment effects for carbon tetrachloride- induced liver damage; mechanisms of hepatoprotective function attributed to alteration of liver cell-membrane permeability to prevent entry of toxic substances, and increased blood flow to liver and increased regeneration of liver cells • Gastrointestinal: deoxyschizandrin inhibits secretion of gastric acid in rats, and has shown beneficial effects in treatment of gastric ulcers; effective dose of deoxyschizandrin is 50 to 100 mg/kg • Cardiovascular: appears to have regulating effect on cardiovascular system; while it may decrease blood pressure in normal subjects, it may increase blood pressure in those with weakened constitutions; laboratory studies indicate herb has vasodilating and cardiotonic effects • Respiratory: water and alcohol extracts stimulate lungs to increase rate and depth of respiration; also shown to reverse respiratory depression associated with morphine • Reproductive: administration of powder at 1 g/kg for 30 days in mice associated with stimulating effect on reproductive organs; the study reported an increase in weight of testicles in males and increase in ovulation in females • Immunostimulant: associated with stimulation of non-specific immunity • Antibiotic: alcohol extract has inhibitory effect in vitro against S. aureus, Bacillus anthracis, Salmonella typhi, Bacillus dysenteriae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Vibrio cholerae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | • Cycloheximide: herb has been found to significantly counteract cycloheximide-induced amnesia in rats; beneficial effect of the herb is amplified by treatment with serotonergic receptor antagonists, but reduced by serotonergic receptor agonists as well as GABA(A)and cholinergic receptor antagonists |
| Classical Formula(s) |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.