Schisandra chinensis

Magnolia-vine

Schisandra chinensis, commonly known as magnolia vine or schisandra berry, is a versatile medicinal plant revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Renowned for its "five-flavor" profile, it acts as a powerful adaptogen, helping the body resist stress, enhancing mental clarity, and supporting liver health and overall physical vitality.

  • Scientific name: Schisandra chinensis
  • Family: Schisandraceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified under the order Austrobaileyales and the family Schisandraceae. Ultimately, its scientific identity is defined by its placement within the genus Schisandra.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Austrobaileyales WCVP
Family Schisandraceae WCVP
Genus Schisandra WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Schisandra chinensis, is recognized by various regional common names across different languages. In Poland, it is called cytryniec chiński, while in Russia, it is referred to as лимонник китайский. In Korea, the plant is known as 오미자나무, and in Finland, it goes by the name palsamiköynnös. Additionally, in Hungary, it is commonly called kínai kúszómagnólia.
Language Common Name Source
pl Cytryniec chiński Wikidata
ru лимонник китайский Wikidata
ko 오미자나무 Wikidata
fi palsamiköynnös Wikidata
hu kínai kúszómagnólia Wikidata
uk лимонник китайський Wikidata
lv Citronliāna Wikidata
de Chinesisches Spaltkörbchen Wikidata
sl Šisandra Wikidata
ja チョウセンゴミシ Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is distributed across several specific regions within the Russian Far East. It can be found growing in the Amur and Khabarovsk territories. Additionally, its natural range extends into the Primorye and Sakhalin regions. Beyond Russia, the species is also located within the Inner Mongolia province of China. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of the species.

Region Area Source
Russian Far East Amur WCVP
Russian Far East Khabarovsk WCVP
Russian Far East Primorye WCVP
Russian Far East Sakhalin WCVP
China Inner Mongolia WCVP
China Manchuria WCVP
China China North-Central WCVP
Eastern Asia Japan WCVP
Eastern Asia Korea WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, Schisandra chinensis, is a woody vine characterized by its diverse functional anatomy. The climbing stems provide the structural support necessary for the plant to ascend through forest canopies, with each individual stem often displaying a twisted growth habit. The lush, green leaves are typically used to aid in photosynthesis and contribute to the plant's overall vigor. Most notably, the plant produces distinctive reddish fruits that are highly valued in traditional medicine; each individual fruit is a small, fleshy berry containing seeds that carry the concentrated medicinal properties of the species.
Total parts
24
Scientific sources
55
Plant Part Sources Confidence
fruits 11 ★★★★★
fruit 11 ★★★★★
stems 5 ★★★☆☆
stem 3 ★★☆☆☆
leaves 3 ★★☆☆☆
seeds 2 ★☆☆☆☆
roots 2 ★☆☆☆☆
mature fruits 2 ★☆☆☆☆
seed 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polysaccharides 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Schisandra chinensis has 145 reported phytochemicals identified across 262 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include lignans, schisandrin, schisandrin B, schisandrol A, gomisin A.

Total chemicals
145
Scientific sources
262

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
lignans 14 ★★★★★
schisandrin 11 ★★★★★
schisandrin B 9 ★★★★☆
schisandrol A 9 ★★★★☆
gomisin A 8 ★★★★☆
schisandrol B 7 ★★★★☆
gomisin J 6 ★★★☆☆
schisanhenol 6 ★★★☆☆
schisantherin A 6 ★★★☆☆
gomisin N 5 ★★★☆☆

Activities

Schisandra chinensis has 21 reported activities identified across 43 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Adaptogenic, Neuroprotective, Sedative.

Total activities
21
Scientific sources
43

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 7 ★★★★☆
Hepatoprotective 5 ★★★☆☆
Adaptogenic 4 ★★☆☆☆
Neuroprotective 3 ★★☆☆☆
Sedative 3 ★★☆☆☆
Adaptogen 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Cardioprotective 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Hypnotic 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Tonic 2 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Schisandra chinensis has 83 reported medicinal uses identified across 124 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer, liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, oxidative stress.

Total uses
83
Scientific sources
124

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
cancer 8 ★★★★☆
liver diseases 6 ★★★☆☆
cardiovascular diseases 4 ★★☆☆☆
inflammation 4 ★★☆☆☆
oxidative stress 4 ★★☆☆☆
Alzheimer's disease 3 ★★☆☆☆
antioxidant 3 ★★☆☆☆
fatigue 3 ★★☆☆☆
insulin resistance 3 ★★☆☆☆
neuroinflammation 3 ★★☆☆☆