English: Schisandra berries
Chinese: 五味子
Use of Wu Wei Zi (schisandra berries) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitioner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Harvest fruits when ripe, remove the stems and dry the flesh.
Dosage: 2 - 9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Tonifies the Kidneys and preserves the Essence. Astringes the Lung Qi and stops coughing. Retains Bodily Fluids and encourages their production. Tonifies the Heart and calms the spirit (Shen).
Primary conditions or symptoms for which Wu Wei Zi may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Dyspnea Spermatorrhea Enuresis Urinary incontinence Night sweats Diabetes Insomnia Palpitations Vaginal discharge Dry cough Asthma
Contraindications*: This herb should not be used by those with Internal Heat nor by those with an Externally contracted disease.
Common TCM formulas in which Wu Wei Zi is used*
Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan
Source date: 1615 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Formula key actions: Treats Yin Deficiency of the Lungs and Kidneys.
Wu Wei Zi is a deputy ingredient in Ba Xian Chang Shou Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
Tu Si Zi Wan
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Formula key actions: Warms the Kidneys. Prevents abnormal leakage such as urinary incontinence or seminal emissions.
Conditions targeted*: Urinary incontinenceSeminal emission and others
Wu Wei Zi is a deputy ingredient in Tu Si Zi Wan. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Tu Si Zi Wan, Wu Wei Zi binds and grasps the Kidney Qi.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Formula key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Conditions targeted*: Chronic bronchitisAsthma and others
Wu Wei Zi is a deputy ingredient in Jiu Xian San. This means it helps the king ingredient(s) treat the main pattern or it serves to treat a coexisting pattern.
In Jiu Xian San, Wu Wei Zi helps Ginseng augment the Lung Qi.
Key TCM concepts behind Wu Wei Zi's properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Wu Wei Zi belongs to the 'Herbs that stabilize and bind' category. This category of herbs is used for treating abnormal discharges and displacement of Organs. This includes conditions such as diarrhea, discharges from the vagina, penis or rectum as well as prolapse of the Uterus or rectum. It is important to note that herbs in this category only treat symptoms, so one should also use herbs to treat the underlying Deficiency.
Furthermore Wu Wei Zi is Warm in nature. This means that Wu Wei Zi tends to help people who have too much 'Cold' in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Hot in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much Cold in their body are said to either have a Yin Excess (because Yin is Cold in nature) or a Yang Deficiency (Yang is Hot in Nature). Depending on your condition Wu Wei Zi can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Wu Wei Zi also tastes Sour and Sweet. The so-called 'Five Phases' theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Sour ingredients like Wu Wei Zi helps with digestion and restrain abnormal discharges of Fluids from the body, such as diarrhea or heavy sweating. On the other hand Sweet ingredients tend to slow down acute reactions and detoxify the body. They also have a tonic effect because they replenish Qi and Blood.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what Organs and Meridians they target. As such Wu Wei Zi is thought to target the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung. In addition to regulating Blood flow, in TCM the Heart is believed to be the store of the 'Mind' which basically refers to someone's vitality. The Kidneys do not only regulate the urinary system but also play a key role in the reproductive system and the growth and aging process of the body. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought in TCM to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the Body Fluids that nourish the body.
Research on Wu Wei Zi
Schizandra affords a stress-protective effect against a broad spectrum of harmful factors including heat shock, skin burn, cooling, frostbite, immobilisation, swimming under load in an atmosphere with decreased air pressure, aseptic inflammation, irradiation, and heavy metal intoxication.1
In healthy subjects, Schizandra increases endurance and accuracy of movement, mental performance and working capacity.1
Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated the efficiency of Schizandra in asthenia, neuralgic and psychiatric (neurosis, psychogenic depression, astheno-depressive states, schizophrenia and alcoholism) disorders, in impaired visual function, hypotension and cardiotonic disorders, in epidemic waves of influenza, in chronic sinusitis, otitis, neuritis and otosclerosis, in pneumonia, radioprotection of the fetoplacental system of pregnant women, allergic dermatitis, acute gastrointestinal diseases, gastric hyper- and hypo-secretion, chronic gastritis, stomach and duodenal ulcers, wound healing and trophic ulcers.1
Sources:
1. A Panossian, G Wikman (2008). Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: An overview of Russian research and uses in medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118(2): 183-212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.020
Use of Wu Wei Zi as food
Wu Wei Zi is also eaten as food. It is used as an ingredient in dishes such as Schisandra berry syrup.