Schisandra chinensis - beneficial properties of leaves and berries. Schisandra: types, properties, action, indications and contraindications

Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor of the department. Vegetable Growing RGAU-Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazeva

Schisandra chinensis is a medicinal plant from which many dosage forms can be prepared at home, often quite pleasant to the taste.

Fruit tincture prepared in 95% alcohol in a ratio of 1:5. Dry fruits are pre-crushed for better extraction. Leave in a dark place for 2 weeks. Take 20-25 drops before meals (or 4 hours after meals) 2-3 times a day.

Fruit tincture prepared in 60-70% alcohol in the same ratio (1:5). Leave it for 2-3 weeks. Take 30-40 drops 2-3 times a day.

Dried Seed Powder take 0.5 g before meals (or 4 hours after meals) 2-3 times a day. It is better not to prepare a lot of powder for future use, but to grind 1 teaspoon of raw material in a coffee grinder.

Schisandra pills- a rather exotic dosage form for us, and in oriental medicine it is very widespread. To prepare them, mix 42.5 g of lemongrass powder, 27 g of sugar, 30.5 g of honey and make 100 identical pills from this mixture. Take 5-6 pieces daily. A little troublesome, but you have the opportunity to feel like a Chinese doctor.

Fruit infusion prepared from 1 tablespoon of fresh or dried fruits, which is poured with 1 glass of boiling water, left for 2 hours, filtered. Take 2 tablespoons on an empty stomach 4 times a day.

Fruit juice It's very easy to cook. Squeeze juice from freshly picked berries and sterilize it. Take 1 teaspoon with tea. But the juice preserved with alcohol is used to prepare the famous Ussuri balsam.

Leaf tea prepared by Far Eastern hunters. It is very unusual and tasty. Brew fresh or dried leaves like tea in a teapot at the rate of 1 teaspoon of crushed raw material per 1 glass of boiling water. It is better not to do this in a thermos, as the refinement of the aroma disappears and the taste of the drink becomes coarser.

Stem tea You can cook it in winter too. Cut dried or fresh stems into small pieces and brew as tea, adding sugar or honey to taste.

Schisandra can also be a cosmetic product. Women of the East rubbed mucus from under the bark of Schisandra into the scalp to combat hair loss and baldness. A water-alcohol infusion of lemongrass fruits tones, disinfects and refreshes oily skin. With lemongrass you can prepare cream and lotion for aging and problematic skin.

Schisandra can be included in ointments for the treatment of purulent flaccid granulating wounds and weeping eczema.

Lemonberry goodies

Schisandra has also found application in food industry. After all, the strong tonic effect lies mainly in the seeds and it is almost impossible to overdose on the juice.

In the Far East, the fruits and stems of lemongrass were widely used for food, and since the 30s, the fruits began to be used for bouquets of fruit wines. The juice from its fruits is used in the production of wines and soft drinks, in the preparation of jam and syrups. It has thirst-quenching properties and is added to soft drinks, fruit ice cream, and jelly.

The pulp of lemongrass berries is used as a filling for sweets. The population of areas where lemongrass grows puts the vine bark in tea for scent, instead of lemon.

Since 1967, the industry of the Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories began to produce lemongrass juice for food purposes. Now it is actively used by many companies for the preparation of specific balms and tinctures. In particular, fruit juice preserved in alcohol and seed infusion are used to prepare Ussuri balsam.

To receive natural juice Ripe fruits must be carefully sorted, stalks and impurities removed. Next, place the berries in an enamel bowl and cover with a layer of granulated sugar. After 3-5 days, the fruits almost completely release their juice. The juice is poured into glass jars or a container with a tight-fitting lid. Natural juice in a well-closed container is stored for a long time without damage in the refrigerator and serves as a source of enriching the drink with vitamins and other beneficial substances. winter time. Even when diluted several times with water, lemongrass juice retains its bright red color, aroma and refreshing sour taste.

Berries can be saved in sugar. To do this, you need to mix the berries with granulated sugar, by weight with double the amount of sugar, put them in glass jars with a volume of 0.5-1 liter and close with lids. Berries can be stored for a year or more in this form. They can be used as a seasoning for tea.

In the article we discuss Schisandra chinensis - its varieties: garden and firstborn, description, where it grows, chemical composition. We talk about the beneficial properties of Chinese lemongrass. You will learn how to use the decoction for potency, weight loss, and why this plant attracts landscape designers.

Chinese lemongrass (lat. Schisándra chinénsis) is a species of flowering plants of the genus Schisandra of the Schisandraceae family. The flowering period occurs at the beginning of summer and lasts 10-14 days. It is pollinated by insects that collect nectar and pollen.

Synonyms for lemongrass are its wild varieties, Far Eastern and Manchurian. In China, the plant is called "Wuwei Zi", which means "berry of five flavors". Look how beautiful the plant looks - Schisandra chinensis photo.

What does it look like

Appearance (photo) of Schisandra chinensis Schisandra chinensis is a deciduous vine, which in the southern regions reaches a length of 15 meters, in the northern regions no more than 4 meters. The stem is 2 cm in diameter, curls on a support, and is covered with flaky dark brown bark. The shoots are smooth with yellowish bark.

Leaves have a wedge-shaped base and are elliptical in shape. up to 10 cm long, up to 5 cm wide. The leaves are dark green, the tip is pointed. There is pubescence on the leaf veins. Parts of the plant with a pleasant lemon aroma.

The Schisandra chinensis plant is monoecious, the flowers are dioecious, but sometimes it happens that the vine has only male flowers. The diameter of the flowers is up to 1.5 cm. The flowers are white with a distinct aroma, turning pink towards the end of the flowering period. After flowering, the receptacle grows, clusters are formed, and on them are the berries of Chinese lemongrass.

The seed kernel is horseshoe shaped, yellow in color with one pointed end and one rounded end. The bulk of the seed consists of endosperm. Under a magnifying glass, you can see an embryo in the endosperm. If you grind it, you will feel a bitter-burning, spicy aroma.

Where does it grow?

The plant grows in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk Territories, the Kuril Islands, Sakhalin and off the coast of the Tatar Strait. It mainly grows in mixed forests. Wild and cultivated varieties of lemongrass are found in Korea, Japan and China.

Places where Schisandra chinensis grows:

• cedar, broad-leaved forests;
• edges, meadows, hills;
• wet valleys of streams and rivers;
• old fellings.

It grows in groups and forms thickets. In the mountains, the plant can be found up to an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. Prefers illuminated places, but in early age can grow in shaded areas.

The plant selects areas with loamy or sandy soil. Drained valleys of small rivers are considered optimal for growth. In the northern regions it hardly bears fruit.

Schisandra chinensis fruits

The berries of Chinese lemongrass are dried and stored for several years. The plant is considered a medicinal and herbal raw material. Applicable in folk medicine, cooking, perfumery and cosmetics industry for creating perfumes with spicy lemon aromas. Designers plant lemongrass on summer cottages as landscape design.

In the last century, the fruits of Schisandra chinensis were used by hunters as food during hunting. The berry juice contains -1.-1.5% sugar, which allows you to feel full and restore strength.

In cooking, berries are used to prepare fillings for candies, jelly, jams and soft drinks. The juice from the fruit is used to complement a bouquet of wines; tea is made, which has a delicate, lemony aroma.

Chemical composition

Schisandra chinensis has medicinal properties and contraindications due to its unique chemical composition:

• lignans;
• catechins;
• anthocyanins;
• essential oils;
• acids (malic, citric, ascorbic);
• calcium;
• vitamins C, E.

The berries contain an abundance of organic acids. The fruit contains sugar and pectin. Tannins - anthocyanins, catechins, which have antioxidant properties, help strengthen the immune system and cope with viruses. Essential oil present in all parts of the plant. Many people add lemongrass oil to scent their bath or deodorant.

Medicinal properties

Chinese lemongrass has beneficial pharmacological effects:

• anti-inflammatory;
• soothing;
• antioxidant;
• restorative;
• antiemetic;
• antifever;
• wound healing.

The plant activates potency, stimulates the central nervous system and normalizes blood pressure. Preparations based on it are indicated for drowsiness, loss of strength, and toxicosis during pregnancy.

It helps in the treatment of skin diseases, bronchitis, diseases of the digestive tract and liver. Schisandra chinensis is used for men and women as a tonic and aphrodisiac.

Lignans activate the central nervous system and are called adaptogens. Adaptogens are natural substances that improve the functioning of all body systems in stressful situations.

Plant-based drugs are prescribed when physical or mental activity, changes in diet, or climate are planned. Schisandra is popular among people who go to the mountains. In extreme conditions of oxygen starvation, the body requires nourishment, energy and constant recuperation.

How to collect

In recipes for medicines based on Schisandra chinensis, instructions for use include processed and dried raw materials. To properly prepare plant parts, you need to know when to collect, how to dry and store the plant.

The bark is collected in the spring, the stems - during the fruiting season. The leaves can be collected in August during blossoming, which will ensure the maximum presence of useful components in them.

Collect berries from August to September. Fully ripe berries have a bitter-sour taste and juicy pulp. From one bush you can get 3-4 kg of ripe berries.

Cut the fruits carefully so as not to damage the plant. If the vine trunk is damaged during assembly, the plant will not bear fruit.

Do not collect fruits in metal containers, as the oxidation process will occur and harmful compounds will form in the juice. Process berries within 24 hours of picking.

Dry the fruits under a canopy for several days, and then sort out the suitable and unsuitable ones. Be sure to stir the plant parts to ensure even drying. Next, dry the berries in the oven at 60 degrees.

Fruits processed in this way will retain beneficial properties for several years. Properly dried fruits should be hard, have an irregular shape, and have a spicy taste.

How to use

Decoctions and tinctures are made from the berries of Chinese magnolia vine, and jam is also made. Chinese magnolia vine is used according to indications and as a preventive measure. By regularly taking lemongrass, you will improve your emotional state, restore erection, normalize sleep and maintain activity throughout the day.

An effective combination of nutritional components and healing properties Schisandra has a beneficial effect on the adrenal glands.

Chinese researchers believe that it is in them that sexual energy accumulates.

Tincture for potency

Schisandra chinensis tincture for potency effectively helps with lack of libido. Preparing the tincture is not difficult. Store the prepared alcohol tincture in a dark place.

Ingredients:

1. Fruits of the plant - 10 gr.
2. Vodka - 50 ml.

How to cook: Pour vodka over the berries of the plant and leave for 10 days in a dark place. Shake the tincture daily. After 10 days, strain.

How to use: Use the tincture once a day, 1 tsp in the morning.

Result: Schisandra chinensis for potency activates sexual attraction, gives strength and improves mood.

Decoction for weight loss

In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used; from them, Schisandra chinensis oil, cool tea, infusion, decoction are prepared, or juice is prepared for the winter. The simplest and most effective is a decoction of the plant.

Fruits, roots and shoots are suitable for brewing. The decoction is used for weight loss - it increases energy expenditure, acts as an additional component in diets, normalizes cholesterol levels, and removes waste and toxins. Chinese lemongrass for weight loss - effective remedy to combat excess weight.

Ingredients:

1. Shoots, fruits or roots - 15 gr.
2. Boiled water - 1 liter.

How to cook: Grind the raw materials and pour boiling water over them. Leave to infuse in a sealed container for 5 minutes.

How to use: Take 1-2 tbsp no more than once a day. If necessary, dilute the broth with plain water.

Result: If you take the decoction regularly, you will lose up to 10 kg.

Schisandra chinensis during pregnancy

Even healthy people should use plant-based preparations with caution. During pregnancy, use Schisandra chinensis only as prescribed by a doctor. Schisandra is best absorbed in the first half of the day.

In some cases, pregnant girls are prescribed decoctions from the plant to cope with nausea and malaise. The dried herb is poured with boiling water and infused. A decoction is prepared from leaves and fruits. After three hours of infusion, drink a decoction or, popularly, Chinese lemongrass tea, ¼ cup 1-3 times a day.

Also, pregnant women are often prescribed to take medicinal herbal teas, which contain lemongrass in combination with other plants. In this case, the dosage of lemongrass is small, and it is easily absorbed. Tonic drinks give pregnant women an influx of strength, energy, and stimulate appetite.

Contraindications

The contraindications for Schisandra chinensis are as follows:

• diseases of the cardiovascular system;
• nervous breakdowns;
• epilepsy;
• infectious diseases in the acute phase;
• age up to 12 years.

Classification

Chinese Schisandra (schisandra chinensis) belongs to the Schisandra family, order Austrobailiaceae, class Dicotyledons, department Flowering. There are also Japanese and Crimean lemongrass.

Varieties

There are about 20 varieties in total. Only 2 species are grown in Russia.

The Garden variety is a vine up to 2 meters in height with bright red fruits. The weight of the garden lemongrass fruit cluster reaches 12.5 grams. The leaves are soft, shiny, ovoid. Each cluster contains 20-25 fruits. From each plant you can collect up to 2 kg of useful berries.

The Pervenets variety was first bred in Russia. The Firstborn ripens at the end of August. Fruit cluster with a distinct lemon scent. Fruit weight 15 grams. The shape of the brush is cylindrical with 35-40 fruits on each. The berries are round, red, and sour.

The leaves are elliptical, pointed at the end, with sparse teeth. Blooms with snow-white or pink flowers. The fruits ripen in August and September. The Pervenets variety is relatively unpretentious to grow. It grows well in any region of Russia.

For more information about planting lemongrass, watch the video:

Schisandra chinensis infographics

Photo of Schisandra chinensis, its beneficial properties and uses
Infographics on Schisandra chinensis

What to remember

1. The plant has anti-inflammatory, diuretic, strengthening and wound-healing properties.
2. Schisandra chinensis is used externally on the face and body as a disinfectant and soothing agent.
3. Men and women use lemongrass to improve libido, immunity and mood.
4. The fruits are harvested before the first frosts appear.
5. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, plant-based medications should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.

This is a large climbing shrub-liana from the magnolia family. Its length reaches fifteen meters, and entwining trees, lemongrass resembles grapevine. The thickness of the stem is 2 centimeters. The plant takes the form of a bush in the northern regions. Schisandra leaves are light green, petiolate and slightly fleshy, mostly arranged in tufts, and their petioles can be either reddish or pink. Flowers cream or white with a pleasant smell, and stamens of 3-5 pieces are united in a thick column.

Schisandra berries are 2-seeded, bright red, juicy, spherical, very sour. The seeds smell like lemon and have a bitter, pungent taste. The bark of the roots and stems also smells like lemon, hence the name Schisandra.

The liana grows wild in the south of Sakhalin, in Primorye; it can also be found in broad-leaved forests, in river valleys, along the edges, and in clearings. Abundant harvests of lemongrass occur once every few years, and due to careless cutting of branches during harvesting, the growth of the bush is stopped.

How to choose

Usually the fruits and seeds of lemongrass are harvested. As they ripen, the fruits are collected. And the drying process consists of two parts: first, the lemongrass berries are slightly dried in the air for two to three days, and after that they are dried in a special dryer or a conventional oven. Initially, the temperature is set within forty degrees, and by the end of drying it is raised to sixty.

How to store

Unfortunately, fresh lemongrass berries are difficult to find and buy. But summer residents grow this vine on their plots. The fruits, collected in a thin layer in boxes, are immediately dried. Then they are put into small bags.

You can squeeze the juice from fresh berries without damaging the seeds and preserve it with sugar. After standing for a while, the juice acquires a jelly consistency.

Another good way storing fruits is to cover them with sugar, grind them well and put them in a jar. Must be stored in the refrigerator.

Chemical composition

Schisandra fruits contain almost 20% organic acids, the main amounts being malic, citric and tartaric. A little sugar and about 500 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of berries. It also contains pectins, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and anthraquinones. Schisandra is rich in essential oils, because there are more than two percent of them in its stem and seeds, and more than three percent in the bark of the stems. Essential oil has found its use in perfumery.

Up to 33% fatty oil is included in the seeds. The oil consists of glycerides of unsaturated fatty acids - oleic and linoleic. Vitamin E was also found in it. Thanks to its composition, lemongrass has immunostimulating, adaptogenic, stimulating and tonic properties.

Nutritional value per 100 grams:

Beneficial properties of lemongrass

Composition and presence of nutrients

Schisandra leaves contain a large number of micro- and macroelements: calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, iodine, zinc and aluminum. They are also present in fruits, but only in much larger quantities.

The value and beneficial properties of lemongrass fruits are vitamins E and C, mineral salts, organic acids, sugars and other components mentioned above.

But the most important and useful components in lemongrass are schisandrol and schisandrin - biologically active substances included in the essential oil. They tone and improve liver function. These substances stimulate the cardiovascular and nervous systems. The daily dose of these substances is contained in 50 grams of fresh lemongrass fruit pulp.

Medicinal properties

Back in the 5th century, the refreshing and tonic effect of lemongrass fruits was known. Local hunters in the Far East took dried lemongrass berries with them when hunting; they helped them be more resilient.

Today, lemongrass has found its wide use as an adaptogenic and stimulating agent for mental and physical fatigue. It is also very effective for depressive and asthenic syndromes.

Schisandra berry tincture is used as a prophylaxis against acute respiratory infections and influenza. The glycogen content, under the influence of lemongrass, in the liver decreases, and in the muscles it increases, and the amount of lactic acid changes on the contrary.

In China, lemongrass seeds and fruits are used for weakened heart muscle, cardiac neurosis, nephritis, and hypertension. A decoction of berries also lowers the level of sugar, chlorides and reserve alkali in the blood, and also stimulates tissue respiration well.

Fruits and seeds are prescribed for various diseases: anemia, sexual weakness, pulmonary tuberculosis, diseases of the kidneys, liver, stomach, and respiratory organs.

The infusion is very simple to prepare: take 1 tablespoon of dry or fresh berries and pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave for at least two hours. You need to take two tablespoons four times a day.

An alcohol tincture can be prepared as follows: 10 grams of crushed seeds, 20 grams of fruits, pour 100 ml of 70% alcohol, leave for 10 days, then strain. Take 25-30 drops on an empty stomach.

Use in cooking

In cooking, lemongrass is used to prepare delicious fruit drinks and syrups. Such drinks lift your spirits and relieve fatigue. Very tasty jams, preserves, preserves and compotes made from lemongrass. Confectionery factories add it to some types of marmalade, chocolate and candies. And at the Primorsky plant they produce refined sugar, which contains lemongrass extract.

Use in cosmetology

Schisandra raw materials have also found their application in cosmetology. It is included in moisturizing and toning masks for the skin. The concentrated extract is effective in combating certain skin diseases and is also used in cosmetic creams.

Dangerous properties of lemongrass

Preparations containing lemongrass have virtually no contraindications. But, even despite this, it should be used only after consultation with a doctor and not overused.

Schisandra is contraindicated for people with increased nervous excitement, insomnia, high blood pressure, increased gastric secretion.

If you do not want to suffer from insomnia all night, take medications with lemongrass no later than 18-19 hours.

During pregnancy, the use of lemongrass is also discussed with your doctor.

In the video, Evgeny Fedotov and Roman Vrublevsky will tell you about the beneficial qualities of lemongrass and show you what this plant looks like.

Schisandra chinensis is an ancient relict vine, which, due to its high content of natural adaptogens, is a valuable medicinal plant. Healers Ancient China We have thoroughly studied the medicinal properties and contraindications of Schisandra chinensis. It was used to obtain tonic, healing and youth-prolonging remedies.

Hunters of Primorye and Amur region went to the taiga light. They found a wild vine, ate a handful of bright, tart berries, and could chase game all day without feeling hungry or tired. During the Second World War, the rations of Soviet pilots included lemongrass berries - they helped in night battles, sharpening vision and giving vigor.

Russian scientists recognized and studied the medicinal value of Schisandra chinensis at the beginning of the 20th century. The first description of the properties of lemongrass was given by Academician Komarov in early XIX century. Soviet biochemist and plant physiologist Professor Vigorov L.I. grew lemongrass in the Garden of Medicinal Crops, where plants were collected that effectively prevent and cure various diseases. It turns out that cultivated lemongrass, unlike ginseng, does not differ from wild-growing ones in its composition and strength of healing properties.

The medicinal properties of lemongrass are due to the unique composition of bioactive substances.

The plant contains:

• organic acids;
• Sahara;
• tannins;
• essential and fatty oils;
• lignans – schisandrin, schisandrol;
• minerals and vitamins.

In the USSR, starting from the 60s of the last century, the properties of lemongrass were tested on athletes, during competitions, under heavy physical and mental stress, and with various pathologies.

It has been reliably established that preparations of Schisandra chinensis:

• stimulate the functions of the central nervous system;
• relieve fatigue;
• helps improve visual acuity, especially at night;
• stimulate the cardiovascular and respiratory systems;
• treat the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys;
• normalize blood pressure;
• reduce the level of glucose in the blood and glycogen in the liver;
• dilate blood vessels;
• stimulate contraction of the uterine muscles;
• treat poorly healing wounds and trophic ulcers;
• used for sexual dysfunction.

Tea made from leaves and bark is a source of vitamins and has an antiscorbutic effect.

Application of the plant

According to ancient Chinese historical documents, the emperors of the Celestial Empire, who consumed lemongrass berries, ruled over their subjects for 110-115 years, maintaining physical and mental activity. They had many wives and concubines, because lemongrass helped the rulers maintain their masculine qualities until their death. To prolong youth, the beauties of Ancient China took baths with the juice of schizandra berries and rose, peony, and peach petals.

In medicine

In folk and official medicine, all above-ground parts of the vine are used. Tinctures, decoctions, and powders are prepared from them. Fresh berry juice and essential oil are also used.

Schisandra preparations are used in the prevention and treatment of:

• anemia;
• thrombocytopenia;
• stimulation of labor;
• tuberculosis;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys;
• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• acute respiratory infections, ARVI;
• early toxicosis in pregnant women;
• gonorrhea;
• sexual dysfunction;
• infertility;
• diabetes mellitus;
• decreased visual acuity;
• drug intoxication;
• atherosclerosis;
• hypertension;
• depression;
• dysentery;
• gastritis, peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach;
• nervous and mental diseases.

Schisandra preparations destroy pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi. A pronounced bacteriostatic effect of the plant has been established against dysenteric amoeba, Koch's bacillus, pneumococcus, and Escherichia coli.

Schisandra increases muscle endurance as it reduces the level of lactic acid and increases the amount of glycogen, increasing the delivery of oxygen to the fibers of muscle tissue. The active substances of the vine stimulate microblood flow in peripheral tissues.

Research is being conducted on the use of lignans (schisandrin, γ-schisandrin, gomisin A) in the treatment of cancer.

In cosmetology

Schisandra chinensis is used in cosmetology because of its ability to treat dermatological diseases:

• eczema;
• dermatitis;
• atopic dermatitis;
• psoriasis;
• lichen planus;
• vitiligo.

Schisandra oil and tincture contain phytohormones that prolong the youth of the skin - eliminate fine wrinkles, tone and regenerate the epidermis. The seeds contain essential fatty acids that have a rejuvenating effect. Chinese medical books say that whoever drinks lemongrass juice “has skin like a rose petal.” Schisandra preparations are used for alopecia and early baldness.

To treat skin diseases, an ointment made from berries and an infusion of fruits are used. The effect is enhanced if you simultaneously take Schisandra seed powder orally.

Essential oil is used against nail fungus, mycosis of the skin of the face and extremities.

Cosmetics with lemongrass are effective for lifeless, tired, aging skin. Thanks to substances that have an immunomodulatory effect, products from Schisandra chinensis protect the skin from the negative effects of the environment.

Japanese women used the juice that appeared on the vine after removing the bark to strengthen their hair, give it shine and thickness. They rinsed their hair after washing with a decoction of berries and lemongrass leaves.

Even if dry lemongrass leaves are stored for a long time (more than 2 years), they can be used to prepare rejuvenating baths. Just put them in a gauze bag and put them in a bath of hot water.

Skin and hair care products can be prepared at home:

Toning mask:

• alcohol tincture of the plant – 2 drops;
• cream – 2 tbsp. l.;
• cottage cheese – 1 tbsp. l.

Mix all components thoroughly. Apply to previously cleansed face and neck. Leave for 10 minutes. Remove the mask with a swab soaked in tea made from berries and lemongrass leaves. Wash your face with cool water.

Moisturizing mask:

• berries (dry) – 2 tbsp. l.;
• boiling water – 200 ml;
• honey – 2 tsp.

Grind the berries and pour boiling water over them, boil for 10-15 minutes. Cool the broth, strain and add honey. Moisten the fabric mask and apply to a previously cleansed face for 15 minutes.

Alcohol lotion for problem skin:

• berries (fresh) – 2 tbsp. l.;
• vodka – ½ l;
• glycerin – 1 tbsp. l.

Grind the berries and pour vodka. Infuse in a dark glass container for a week. Strain, squeeze out the raw materials. Add glycerin to the container. Before use, add 3 parts of warm boiled water to one part of the tincture and wipe problematic skin 2 times a day.

Instructions for use of Chinese lemongrass

When taking Schisandra preparations orally, its effect begins after ½ hour and lasts 4-6 hours. Therefore, they are not recommended for use before bedtime, so as not to cause overexcitation and sleep disturbance. It is recommended to take the drugs on an empty stomach or 4 hours after meals.

The duration of treatment depends on the type of disease. Instructions for use of lemongrass are given for adult patients. For teenagers, the dosage is halved.

How to brew a plant?

To prepare a decoction, plants are taken:

• 1 tsp. raw materials (fruits, leaves, shoots);
• 200 ml water.

The raw materials are crushed and filled with water. Boil over low heat for 2 minutes. Insist, wrapping the container for 30 minutes. Strain the resulting broth.

To prepare a decoction of seeds take:

• 1 tbsp. l. seeds;
• 10 tbsp. l. water.

Prepare in the same way as in the previous recipe.

Schisandra tincture

Alcohol tincture of lemongrass is prepared from both fresh berries and dry parts of the plant.

Plant tincture:

• 1 part leaves, berries, shoots;
• 20 parts of vodka or alcohol diluted to 40%.

Grind the dry raw materials, add vodka and leave for 3 weeks.

Berries - benefits and how to eat them?

Schisandra berries are used to make jam, compotes, jelly, and prepare vitamin drinks and juice. Fresh berries are used in the preparation of ointments to treat trophic ulcers and difficult-to-heal wounds.

To prepare it take:

• 1 cup berries (dry);
• ½ cup alcohol (96%);
• 1 tsp. castor oil.

Chop the berries, mix with alcohol and leave in a warm place for 8-10 hours. Add castor oil to the resulting mixture. Shake the ointment before use. Use ointment in the form of bandages applied to the affected area until complete healing.

Berry tincture:

• 100 g fruits (dry);
• 1 liter of alcohol (70%).

Grind the raw materials, add alcohol and leave in a warm, dark place for 1-1.5 weeks. Strain through 2-3 layers of gauze.

Juice is squeezed out of fresh berries, which is drunk fresh or canned. Before use 1 tsp. concentrated juice is diluted in a glass of hot water. It can be added to tea, but not more than 2 times a day.

Plant seeds

Schisandra seeds are used to treat:

• asthma;
• inflammation of the bronchi;
• tuberculosis;
• dyspeptic disorders;
• gastritis;
• dysentery.

Most often, the seeds are taken in powder form.

Scientists from the Far Eastern State Medical University have established the maximum therapeutic dose of liana seeds:

• adults – 1-1.5 g;
• for adolescents – no more than 0.5 g.

It is better to drink the seeds with water or milk. Aqueous decoctions are prepared on their basis.

Possible side effects

With long-term administration of Schisandra chinensis preparations or their overdose, the following side effects may occur:

• sleep disturbance;
• migraine;
• increased heart rate;
• allergic reaction.

Similar effects occur in case of individual hypersensitivity or violation of the rules for taking the drug.

Contraindications for use

Preparations from lemongrass and fresh berries are not recommended for pregnant women due to the threat of miscarriage or premature birth. They should not be used as medicinal products or as food for children under 12 years of age, as phytoestrogens can disrupt hormonal homeostasis.

Schisandra chinensis should not be taken by persons with:

• hypertension;
• epilepsy;
• excitability of the nervous system;
• hypersecretion of gastric juice;
• circulatory disorders.

Schisandra has a strong bioactive effect, so consultation with a specialist is required before using it.

Dear readers, we have already talked many times about medicinal plants, their use for health and beauty, shared recipes and various tips. Today, I would like to tell you about Schisandra chinensis, its beneficial and medicinal properties. I remembered about it quite recently, because autumn...The time of wet noses and colds begins. Let's work on strengthening the immune system.

I myself became acquainted with lemongrass a long time ago, when I lived in the Far East. Students always treated us to such delicacies. And among them I really remember lemongrass. First of all, I fell in love with it for its tonic properties and as a means to strengthen the immune system. It is no coincidence that it is called the elixir of health and youth.

Schisandra chinensis was mentioned in ancient eastern treatises. It is called that because it grows in Northern and Central China. This plant can also be found in the forests of the Primorsky Territory and Sakhalin. When going hunting, local residents took lemongrass berries with them to combat fatigue during long treks across the hills. During such travels, hunters stocked up not only with berries, but also with stems, roots and seeds of this useful plant.

Chinese medicine differs from Western medicine in that it treats the person himself, not his illness. Therefore, by turning to oriental medicine, you can find a lot of new and useful things for yourself to prevent diseases and maintain your body in a vigorous state.

Schisandra chinensis is a woody vine with a characteristic odor. Its length can reach up to 12 meters, and the thickness of the stems is from one to two mm. Bright red fruits collected in bright clusters are visible far from the place of growth. The kidney-shaped seeds have a shiny and dense surface. The taste of lemongrass fruit is bitter-sour and has a lemon flavor. The pulp is very juicy.

In September-October you can begin harvesting, which reaches up to 3 kg per bush. This vine can withstand harsh winters well Far East and can be a help in improving your health at any time of the year.

Composition and calorie content of Schisandra chinensis

What are the benefits of lemongrass?

What attracts admirers to Chinese lemongrass? The main substances to which this relict vine owes its effect are schisandrols and schisandrins - these are special essential compounds that have a tonic effect.

But what’s interesting is that depending on the part of the plant, the composition of various substances changes.

For example, fruits contain:

• wine;
• malic and citric acids;
• methyl ether substances of polyoxyphenols (tonic substances);
• tannids;
• pectins;
• flavonoids;
• sugar and coloring matter.

Among the mineral elements in Schisandra fruits there are magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, silicon, aluminum, potassium and calcium.

Schisandra seeds include fatty and essential oils, linoleic and oleic acids.

Schisandra bark contains several important substances for human health: chemical elements: calcium, silicon, magnesium and phosphorus. Schisandra also contains iodine.

Schisandra stems contain essential oils. Of the micro and macroelements, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, silicon and manganese accumulate in this part of the vine.

Schisandra calorie content

100 g of lemongrass contains only 4 kcal of protein and 7.6 kcal of carbohydrates, there is no fat at all, the total calorie content is 11.1 calories or about 1% of the daily value.

Schisandra chinensis. Photo

Schisandra chinensis. Useful and healing properties

The beneficial properties of lemongrass have been known since ancient times. With regular use of preparations from this vine, a person’s general condition improves, a sparkle appears in the eyes, performance increases, both physical and mental, sleep is normalized, and the human nervous and cardiovascular systems are strengthened. A course of treatment with lemongrass for up to 30 days is recommended.

Schisandra has a beneficial effect on the human body. Under the influence of biologically active substances, immunity and potency in men are increased, metabolism is improved and the central nervous system is stimulated. nervous system. Those. First of all, we are talking about its tonic effect on our body.

If you add the fruits and stems of lemongrass to tea, it will not only acquire a wonderful aroma and taste, but will also have a beneficial effect on the body.

When taking lemongrass, visual acuity increases. Especially in the dark.

I suggest watching a video about the beneficial and medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis.

Chinese lemongrass berries. Properties. How to prepare and how to use

Schisandra berries contain trace elements, mineral salts, fiber, starch, organic acids and vitamins. Fresh lemongrass berries are not used because they are sour and astringent in taste. Compotes and syrup are made from the berries. They dry it, make juice, cold jam, fruit juice and wine.

When dried, lemongrass berries do not lose their beneficial properties. The fruits are first dried in the oven at a temperature of 40 degrees, then dried at 60 degrees. It is better not to raise the temperature higher, as schisandrin will begin to break down and the healing properties will be lost.

Natural juice from lemongrass berries does not lose its beneficial properties when stored in the refrigerator. If diluted with water, you get a refreshing drink that gives tone and performance. Before preparing juice, fresh berries should be washed well and dried.

Collection and storage of Schisandra chinensis

The medicinal raw materials of Schisandra are considered to be the bark, seeds, fruits - the berries and leaves themselves. The bark from the vines is harvested in the spring, and the vines themselves are harvested during fruiting.

To preserve all the beneficial properties, the leaves should be collected during blossoming, and if it is necessary to obtain mucus from the leaves, then it is better to postpone the collection until the leaves fall. The collected leaves and shoots should be crushed and spread in a thin layer in the shade to dry, stirring occasionally.

Schisandra berries need to be collected when they are fully ripe, from September until the first frost. The brushes should be cut very carefully with a sharp knife, trying not to damage the vines. The collected fruits should be placed in a basket or enamel bowl. It is better not to take galvanized buckets. Schisandra berries must be processed within 24 hours of collection.

I suggest you watch an interesting video about the cultivation, properties and use of lemongrass.

Schisandra chinensis. Recipes. Application in medicine

In official medicine, preparations from lemongrass are used as an adaptogen for preventive purposes against colds in adults and children. Due to its tonic effect, Schisandra tincture is used for asthenodepressive and asthenic conditions in patients with nervous diseases.

Various decoctions of leaves or bark help cope with scurvy. . To do this, you need to crush 1 tablespoon of lemongrass berries and pour them into a small enamel bowl. Add 1 cup of boiling water and keep in a water bath for 15 minutes. Take 1 tablespoon 2 times a day on an empty stomach.

Juice from the berries can be added when preparing jelly or compote, which has refreshing and invigorating effect .

Schisandra oil is considered very good remedy for ringworm, fungal skin infections, pediculosis, scabies, reduces burning, itching and swelling after insect bites .

Eastern medicine uses preparations from lemongrass for the treatment of people with kidney diseases, gastrointestinal tract . Chinese experts, after conducting research, found that Lignans normalize liver function and can be used to prevent hepatitis .

The effect after taking the drugs appears within 30 – 40 minutes and lasts about 6 hours.

Schisandra chinensis: application in cosmetology

The active substances of Schisandra are used as components in the production of cosmetics for the regeneration of the skin of the face and eyelids. At the same time, metabolic processes in the body improve and deep cleansing of skin cells occurs.

Schisandra oil brightens and tightens pores on the face .

The juice squeezed from the berries nourishes the skin, promotes rejuvenation and tightening of facial contours, reduces the depth of wrinkles . The skin becomes elastic and velvety. You can also add 5-6 drops of juice to baby cream to soften the skin.

Do rejuvenating mask you can if you mix 2 tablespoons of sour cream or yogurt and 1 teaspoon of lemongrass berry pulp. Apply the mask for 20 minutes on the face, neck and décolleté, then rinse with cold water.

Infusion of leaves and shoots of Schisandra chinensis strengthens hair well .

It is recognized that the drugs are very useful for women, so a cream for the skin around the eyes “Schisandra and parsley” was created, which has a tonic effect, a balm for oily hair “Chinese lemongrass and calendula”, a cosmetic mask for aging skin “Ussuri hops and Chinese lemongrass” .

Schisandra chinensis. Contraindications

Schisandra chinensis has great benefit for a person. At the same time, you should definitely remember that when using lemongrass, you need to take into account the dosage and health status.

Schisandra is contraindicated for:

• individual intolerance,
• cardiac dysfunction;
• arterial hypertension;
• excessive excitability;
• epilepsy;
• increased intracranial pressure;
• vegetative-vascular dystonia;
• sleep disturbance;
• infectious diseases occurring in acute form;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;

An overdose may cause headaches, tachycardia, insomnia, and allergies. If such side effects appeared, then you should stop using lemongrass for a while and reduce the dosage.

It is important to know that lemongrass is best consumed in the first half of the day, at least before 15:00, otherwise you may simply experience insomnia due to its tonic properties.

Schisandra has many useful properties, but besides this, it is also a very strong disinfectant and helps purify water, air and objects.

To disinfect water, you need to fold gauze into 5 layers and soak it in a mixture of alcohol and lemongrass in a ratio of one to one, strain about 5 liters of water through it and then let the water settle. Then filter 3 more times through eight-layer dry gauze and after that the water is ready for use.

Items can be disinfected with damp gauze soaked in lemongrass oil.

In addition, magical properties are attributed to lemongrass. Essential oil will cleanse the aura of a home and a person from aggressive energy and create a protective shell from external influences. At the same time, a person’s personal energy, his magnetism will increase, sociability and charm will increase.

If you hang a bunch of lemongrass berries in the bedroom, you can preserve passion and love between spouses; a bouquet of autumn colorful leaves can be used in the house as a talisman.

Such a great positive influence of this wonderful plant will not leave anyone indifferent and will contribute to the health of not only the person himself, but also his loved ones.

Schisandra berries can be bought in online stores. But the simplest thing we can afford is to drink a course of lemongrass tincture, if there are no contraindications. It is sold in pharmacies. We will talk to you about how to use it soon. Follow the blog for information.

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