Schisandra: A Better Liver and Kidney Tonic than Goji Berries?

Schisandra: A Better Liver and Kidney Tonic than Goji Berries?Dr. Li is a seasoned TCM practitioner who frequently sees patients seeking health adjustments in his clinic

Schisandra: A Better Liver and Kidney Tonic than Goji Berries?

Dr. Li is a seasoned TCM practitioner who frequently sees patients seeking health adjustments in his clinic. Recently, there has been a surge in patients seeking liver and kidney nourishment, particularly those favoring goji berries, leading to a near-universal trend of liver-boosting. However, Dr. Li often recommends another herb to his patients one that isn't as well-known as goji berries. While it also nourishes the liver and kidneys, it also helps to consolidate energy and is more suitable for certain individuals with weaker constitutions than goji berries. So, what is this mysterious herb? Why does Dr. Li believe it is more advantageous than goji berries? What is the scientific evidence behind it? These questions will be answered in the following story.

The Limitations of Goji Berries and the Two-Way Regulation of Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Dr. Li's clinic, conversations like this are common: Dr. Li, I heard goji berries are very good for you, for nourishing the liver and eyes. I've been drinking them in tea every day. But I don't feel any difference in my health. A middle-aged woman with a haggard complexion consults Dr. Li. Goji berries are indeed beneficial, with the ability to nourish the liver and kidneys, and improve eyesight. However, not everyone is suitable for long-term consumption, Dr. Li explains with a smile. Goji berries are slightly warm in nature and are suitable for individuals with a cold constitution. If you have excessive liver fire or experience heat symptoms, goji berries might worsen the issue.

The middle-aged woman is slightly surprised. Then what can I eat? I feel my lower back and knees are weak, and my eyesight is blurry. Dr. Li nods and picks up an ancient book. He flips through a few pages and points to a section, saying, There's an herb called Schisandra that can nourish the liver and kidneys, and also consolidate essence. For someone like you who experiences easy fatigue, lower back and knee weakness, it might be more effective than goji berries.

Schisandra, though less well-known than goji berries, has been considered a superior herb for nourishing the liver and kidneys and consolidating essence since ancient times. In TCM, Schisandra is warm in nature, sour in taste, and enters the lung, heart, and kidney meridians. Not only can it nourish the kidneys, but it can also solidify essence and stop diarrhea, and even consolidate lung energy, relieving coughing and wheezing. Dr. Li recommends Schisandra because he recognizes its two-way regulatory effect. The limitation of goji berries lies in their nourishing effects, mostly focused on supplementing the Yang Qi of the liver and kidneys, which limits the range of individuals suitable for long-term consumption. Schisandra, on the other hand, can regulate the body's self-balancing mechanisms, helping patients restore Yin-Yang harmony within their bodies. Dr. Li's experience has taught him that many patients, due to overuse of a particular herb, end up exacerbating their internal imbalances.

The Unique Effects of Schisandra

The magic of Schisandra lies not only in its ability to nourish the liver and kidneys but also in its ability to "consolidate". This "consolidating" effect is not found in goji berries. You know, Schisandra is called Schisandra precisely because it has five flavors: sour, bitter, sweet, spicy, and salty, Dr. Li tells the patient. This combination of flavors is the reason it has multiple effects.

The sour flavor of Schisandra is primarily responsible for its consolidating effect. TCM emphasizes 'sour enters the liver'. Sour herbs tend to enter the liver meridian, helping the liver to regulate Qi. For individuals with leaking essence, manifesting as easy fatigue, night sweats, and involuntary emissions, Schisandra can effectively consolidate essence, preventing excessive depletion.

Dr. Li also mentions that another essential function of Schisandra is strengthening kidney function. The kidneys are the foundation of our innate vitality and are responsible for storing essence. Only with sufficient essence can the body maintain a healthy state. Schisandra achieves this by nourishing kidney essence, helping the kidneys maintain their storage function and achieving overall physical strengthening.

The patient nods in understanding, and Dr. Li continues, Schisandra can also relieve coughing and wheezing, especially for those with deficient lung Qi. Many elderly people experience coughs during the autumn and winter months, and Schisandra can be helpful in these situations. The patient is surprised, Goji berries seem to only nourish the liver and kidneys, but Schisandra has so many other effects!

Dr. Li smiles, TCM focuses on holistic adjustment, not just single-minded supplementation. It's Schisandra's ability to help the body achieve internal and external balance that makes it truly advantageous. Schisandra's multiple effects make it an excellent choice for nourishing the liver and kidneys. Through his practice, Dr. Li has observed that many patients experience not only improvement in their kidney deficiency symptoms after taking Schisandra but also effective reduction in mental fatigue and overall improvement in their quality of life.

Scientific Research and Application of Schisandra

Dr. Li not only relies on the records in ancient books but also pays close attention to modern medical research on Schisandra. He has discovered that in recent years, the pharmacological effects of Schisandra have been increasingly scientifically validated. Multiple studies have shown that the primary active component of Schisandra, schisandrin, exhibits a remarkable hepatoprotective effect. Schisandrin can promote liver cell regeneration and repair, enhancing the liver's detoxification function. Clinically, Schisandra is widely used to treat patients with hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other liver diseases.

Furthermore, Schisandra has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, effectively scavenging free radicals and reducing inflammatory responses. These functions make Schisandra not only a traditional Chinese medicine but also a functional herb backed by modern scientific evidence.

Dr. Li tells the patient, Schisandra can also improve immunity, helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria from the outside world. For those with weaker immunity and prone to illness, Schisandra is an excellent herb for regulating health. The patient is increasingly engrossed, exclaiming, I never realized Schisandra had so many benefits. I used to only know about goji berries. I guess I need to reconsider.

Dr. Li nods, adding, Of course, Schisandra also has its contraindications. For example, individuals with excess internal heat or those suffering from wind-cold invasion should not consume large quantities. Even though it's beneficial, it should be chosen based on individual constitution.

With the support of modern medicine, the application of Schisandra is becoming increasingly widespread. Many countries have even incorporated Schisandra extracts into the development of health products and pharmaceuticals. Dr. Li understands that the choice of herbs must be based on a combination of scientific evidence and clinical experience. Only then can we truly help patients restore their health.

Summary

From Dr. Li's experience, it's clear that Schisandra, as a TCM herb, possesses more comprehensive effects than goji berries, with a wider range of suitable symptoms. It not only nourishes the liver and kidneys but also consolidates essence, helping to restore balance within the body. With the support of modern medicine, the pharmacological effects of Schisandra have been fully validated, particularly its outstanding performance in liver protection and immune strengthening.

However, all medications should be chosen based on individual constitution, and blind following should be avoided.

References:

• Chinese Materia Medica, People's Health Publishing House, 2020 edition

• A review of modern pharmacological studies on Schisandra - China Journal Net: Research on Traditional Chinese Medicine

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