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Common Name: Wu Wei Zi

General Information

Schisandra chinensis is a Deciduous Climber up to 9.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Mixed forests, especially on the margins, also by streams and brooks, usually on sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Climber
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a rich well-drained moisture retentive soil[, ]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[]. Requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[]. Plants succeed in quite deep shade and are suitable for north-facing walls[]. Plants are intolerant of drought[].
The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -17°c, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts.
Plants climb by twining around supports.
Any pruning is best carried out in the spring[].
The flowers are sweetly scented[]. The leaves are also aromatic[].
A dioecious species - both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required. A cultivar has been developed, called 'Eastern Prince' that is said to be self fertile and very productive[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Usually dried and used on journeys, it is very sustaining[]. Rich in sugars[], it has a sweet/sour flavour[]. In Russia a paste made from the fruit is mixed with Actinidia arguta in order to counteract the insufficient acidity of that species[]. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter and is borne in a grape-like bunch about 10cm long[].
Young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[, , ].

Medicinal

Wu Wei Zi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[]. It is an excellent tonic and restorative, helping in stressful times and increasing zest for life[]. It is considered to be a substitute for ginseng and is said to be a tonic for both the male and the female sex organs[].
The fruit is antitussive, aphrodisiac, hepatic, astringent, cardiotonic, cholagogue, expectorant, hypotensive, lenitive, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and tonic[, , , ]. Low doses of the fruit are said to stimulate the central nervous system whilst large doses depress it[]. The fruit also regulates the cardiovascular system[]. It is taken internally in the treatment of dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, involuntary ejaculation, chronic diarrhoea, palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, hyperacidity, hepatitis and diabetes[]. Externally, it is used to treat irritating and allergic skin conditions[]. The fruit is harvested after the first frosts and sun-dried for later use[].
The fruit contains lignans[]. These have a pronounced protective action on the liver. In one clinical trial there was a 76% success rate in treating patients with hepatitis, no side effects were noticed[].
The seed is used in the treatment of cancer[].
The plant is antirheumatic[].
A mucilaginous decoction obtained from the branches is useful in the treatment of coughs, dysentery and gonorrhoea[].

Other Uses

A viscid mucoid material is obtained from the fruit and the branches, it is used as a size for paper and as a hair dressing[].
The dried wood is charmingly fragrant[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[, ]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[]. Germination can be slow and erratic. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for their first 2 years. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8cm with a heel, August in a frame. Overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out in late spring[, ]. Good percentage[].
Layering of long shoots in the autumn[].