Practical
Plants

Schisandra chinensis

Magnolia Vine · Five Flavoured Fruit · Wu Wei Zi

a deciduous fruit vine of the Schisandra genus in the family Schisandraceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious
Flower colours
white, pink

Uses

Edible uses

The fruits of S. chinensis are rich in sugars[27], high in vitamin C[17] and have a sweet/sour flavour[23]. In Russia a paste made from the fruit is mixed with Actinidia arguta in order to counteract the insufficient acidity of that species[24].

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Raw, dried
Product or use
Fruit
Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Juiced
Plant part
Young leaves
Preparation
Boiled
Product or use
Vegetable

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

Wu Wei Zi is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[9]. It is an excellent tonic and restorative, helping in stressful times and increasing zest for life[13]. 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[11]. The fruit is antitussive, aphrodisiac, hepatic, astringent, cardiotonic, cholagogue, expectorant, hypotensive, lenitive, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and tonic[3][4][6][9]. Low doses of the fruit are said to stimulate the central nervous system whilst large doses depress it[9]. The fruit also regulates the cardiovascular system[9]. 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[11]. Externally, it is used to treat irritating and allergic skin conditions[11]. The fruit is harvested after the first frosts and sun-dried for later use[11]. The fruit contains lignans[13]. 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[13]. The seed is used in the treatment of cancer[9]. The plant is antirheumatic[9]. A mucilaginous decoction obtained from the branches is useful in the treatment of coughs, dysentery and gonorrhoea[9].

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Dried
Plant part
Vine
Product or use
Decoction

Material 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[6]. The dried wood is charmingly fragrant[2].

Plant part
Wood, fruit

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Climber

Environment

Range
E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat
Mixed forests, especially on the margins, also by streams and brooks, usually on sandy soils[15].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 4+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
moist
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown in the autumn in a cold frame[8][11]. Pre-soak stored seed for 12 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in the spring[11]. 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[2][16]. Good percentage[16]. Layering of long shoots in the autumn[8].

Cultivation

Given a suitable site, S. chinensis is an ideal candidate for forest gardening[19]. Soils should be rich and well-drained yet moisture retentive[19][22][25]. Prefers a slightly acid soil but tolerates some alkalinity if plenty of organic matter is added to the soil[25]. Prefers light to deep shade[19][26] and requires some protection from the most intense sunlight[25]. Vines can become heavy, so provide a sturdy trellis or strong tree for them to climb[19]. Plants will also happily scramble over rocks, walls etc.[17].

The fully dormant plant is hardy to about -17°c, though the young growth in spring can be damaged by late frosts. Prune in late winter[17] or spring[26][17].

Although generally regarded as dioecious (male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) some reports claim that most selections are actually monoecious (bearing both male and female flowers on a single plant)[17]. One such selection is 'Eastern Prince.' It bears both male and female flowers and is very productive with large fruit[17].

Crops

The fruits of S. chinensis are regarded as one of the fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine.[19]

Fruit

Fruit is juicy, delicate and thin skinned. Fruit harvest can begin 5 - 7 days before fully ripe when they are still hard and easier to pick. They ripen quickly after harvest.[17] Good quality fruit is considered to be large with thick, purplish red, fleshy and oily pulp and an intense aroma.[19]

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.

    ↩

  4. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

    ↩

  5. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

  6. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  9. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  10. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

  11. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  12. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3

  14. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  15. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩

  16. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  17. Crawford, Martin. Agroforestry News Vol. 20, No. 2: Schisandra Agroforestry Research Trust (2012/02/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  18. Crawford, Martin. Creating a Forest Garden: Working with nature to grow edible crops Green Books ISBN 978-1-900322-62-1 (2010/03/01)

  19. Schafer, Peg. The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm: A cultivator's guide to small-scale organic herb production Chelsea Green ISBN 978-1-60358-330-5 (2011/03/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  20. Facciola. S. Cornucopia II: A source book of edible plants. Kampong ISBN 978-0-9628087-2-2 (1998/03/01)

  21. Rister, Robert. Japanese Herbal Medicine: The healing art of Kampo. Avery ISBN 0-89529-836-8 (1999/03/01)

  22. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  23. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()

    ↩

  24. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  25. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3

  26. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2

  27. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  28. [Chinese herbology] Wikipedia (2013/03/20)

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