Schizandra

Sleep your way to better health.

Schzandra is the perfect adaptogen to rev up your sleep health regimen. It is known to help support deep, refreshing sleep.

Imagine this: Over the course of a lifetime, by the time we have reached 70 years of age, each of us will have spent more than 20 years asleep. Schizandra might be just what you've been looking for, if you would like to improve the quality of your sleep,

Schizandra "quiets the spirit and calms the heart."

Schizandra has been used for more than 2,000 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as an adaptogen to restore vitality and energy. In TCM, Schizandra is thought to "quiet the spirit and calm the heart," making it an excellent herb to relieve stress and the restless sleep that usually comes with it. Since Schizandra helps support healthy sleep patterns, it also helps support endurance and work performance. It is often recommended for people who need high levels of energy, such as athletes. (1)

What makes Schizandra special?

Scientists attribute the herb's unique abilities to lignans and phytoesterols. Lignans are phytoestrogens, compounds found in the cell walls of plants. Lignans appear to protect the liver by activating the enzymes in liver cells that produce glutathione, an important antioxidant substance. In addition, lignans interfere with a compound called platelet-activating factor. (2-8)Phytosterols are plant-based, cholesterol-like compounds that support healthy blood lipids.

Studies have shown that Schizandra is effective for:

•Supporting mental clarity, concentration, and coordination

•Nourishing the lungs, kidneys, and liver (9)

•Protecting the liver from toxins (2-8)

•Providing antioxidant protection to the mitochondria, the powerhouse within every cell in the body (10)

•Supporting a healthy immune system (11)

How safe is Schizandra?

Schizandra is very safe for long-term use. However, it should not be used during pregnancy or nursing, or in conjunction with drugs that cause drowsiness. Consult with your health care professional before using Schizandra if you have seizure disorders, high blood pressure, or diabetes.

Overall supportive herb

If you want to reduce mind chatter, ward off stress, and sleep more soundly…and if you want to be more productive at work and enjoy your daytime activities, Schizandra is an excellent adaptogen to add to your health regimen.

References

1.Liu GT. Pharmacological actions and clinical uses of Fructus schizandrae. In: Zhou J, Liu GT, Chen J, editors. Recent advances in Chinese herbal drugs-actions and uses. Beijing: Sci Press; 1991. p 100-11

2.Tang MH, Chiu PY, Ko KM. Hepatoprotective action of schisandrin B against carbon tetrachloride toxicity was mediated by both enhancement of mitochondrial glutathione status and induction of heat shock proteins in mice. Biofactors. 2003;19(1-2):33-42.

3.Chiu PY, Tang MH, Mak DH, Poon MK, Ko KM. Hepatoprotective mechanism of schisandrin B: role of mitochondrial glutathione antioxidant status and heat shock proteins. Free Radic Biol Med. 2003 Aug 15;35(4):368-80.

4.Chiu PY, Mak DH, Poon MK, Ko KM. In vivo antioxidant action of a lignan-enriched extract of Schisandra fruit and an anthraquinone-containing extract of Polygonum root in comparison with schisandrin B and emodin. Planta Med. 2002 Nov;68(11):951-6.

5.Pan SY, Han YF, Carlier PR, Pang YP, Mak DH, Lam BY, Ko KM. Schisandrin B protects against tacrine- and bis(7)-tacrine-induced hepatotoxicity and enhances cognitive function in mice. Planta Med. 2002 Mar;68(3):217-20.

6.Ip SP, Yiu HY, Ko KM. . Schisandrin B protects against menadione-induced hepatotoxicity by enhancing DT-diaphorase activity. Mol Cell Biochem. 2000 May;208(1-2):151-5.

7.Ip SP, Yiu HY, Ko KM. Differential effect of schisandrin B and dimethyl diphenyl bicarboxylate (DDB) on hepatic mitochondrial glutathione redox status in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated mice. Mol Cell Biochem. 2000 Feb;205(1-2):111-4.

8.Ip SP, Poon MKT, Wu SS, et al. Effect of schisandrin B on hepatic glutathione antioxidant system in mice: Protection against carbon tetrachloride toxicity. Planta Med 1995;61:398–401

9.Panossian A, Wikman G Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicine. J Ethnopharmacol. 2008 Jul 23;118(2):183-212. Epub 2008 Apr 24.\

10.Xue JY, Liu GT, Wei HL, Pan Y. Antioxidant activity of two dibenzocyclooctene lignans on the aged and ischemic brain in rats. Free Radic Biol Med. 1992;12(2):127-35

11.Lomaestro B, Malone M. Glutathione in health and disease: Pharmacotherapeutic Issues. Ann Pharmacother 29: 1263-73,1995.