Schisandra Benefits, Uses, Side Effects According to Ayurveda

Metabolic Nature of Schisandra

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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DRY

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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SOUR

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sour refers to anything fermented or acidic.

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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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SWEET

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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Other

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Schisandra
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

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Digestion:

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

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Sialogogue

SIALOGOGUE

A sialogogue increases saliva. Sour foods are often great sialogogues, and increase output of all exocrine glands. Salty taste is very moistening as well. Bitter, pungent and sweettastes also increase salivary output but to a lesser degree. Astringents.

SEE ALL 'SIALOGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Nerve Relaxant Grounding

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts.

SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS

Neuroprotective

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

SEE ALL 'ANTIDEPRESSANT' FOODS / HERBS

Boosts Gaba

BOOSTS-GABA

GABA, or gamma-aminobutyric acid, reduces nerve excitability. It is the body's primary inhibitory neurotransmitter. Thus, it promotes relaxation, calm, and sleep.

SEE ALL 'BOOSTS-GABA' FOODS / HERBS

Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

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Improves Focus

IMPROVES-FOCUS

Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha).

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Nerve Growth Tonic

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

Stimulate neurite / axon growth, promotes regeneration.

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Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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Adrenal Tonic

ADRENAL-TONIC

Strengthens, supports, or increases output of adrenals.

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Tonic

TONIC

A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine.

SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Respiratory-Health:

Antitussive

ANTITUSSIVE

Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat.

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Immune System:

Adaptogen

ADAPTOGEN

Herbs that promote stabilization of physiological processes and homeostasis. Adaptogens increase the body's ability to resist the damaging effects of stress and promote or restore normal physiological functioning.

SEE ALL 'ADAPTOGEN' FOODS / HERBS

Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

SEE ALL 'IMMUNE-CALMING' FOODS / HERBS

Heart & Circulation:

Antiplatelet

ANTIPLATELET

An herb that inhibits clotting, dissolves clots, thins the blood, or destroys platelets, therefore reducing the tendency of blood to form clots. They are useful in cardiovascular disease, clots, and stroke. Aka anticoagulant.

SEE ALL 'ANTIPLATELET' FOODS / HERBS

Rebuilds Fluids

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

Herbs or substances that create moisture in the body and increase fluids.

SEE ALL 'REBUILDS-FLUIDS' FOODS / HERBS

Reduces Secretions

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

Stops discharges & secretions (examples include sweat, vaginal discharge, diarrhea, urinary, nasal, etc). Commonly astringent or cooling remedies.

SEE ALL 'REDUCES-SECRETIONS' FOODS / HERBS

Kidney & Urinary:

Warms Kidney

WARMS-KIDNEY

Warms the kidneys by increasing blood flow to the organ.

SEE ALL 'WARMS-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS

Liver & Gallbladder:

Hepatoprotective

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

An herb that is capable of preventing liver damage. Many hepatoprotectives work via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SEE ALL 'HEPATOPROTECTIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Livotonic

LIVOTONIC

An herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias. Generally, liver tonics are oily, cool, sweet, mildly sour, or contain beta-carotene.

SEE ALL 'LIVOTONIC' FOODS / HERBS

Reproductive Health:

Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

SEE ALL 'EMMENAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS

Oxytocic

OXYTOCIC

Oxytocin stimulates uterine contractions, and prepares the uterus for labor. It has a vasoconstricting effect. Emotionally, it is tribal.

SEE ALL 'OXYTOCIC' FOODS / HERBS

Stimulant Parturient

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

Used to induce labor when labor is stalled due to weak or ineffective contractions. Includes both stimulants and oxytocic parturients.

SEE ALL 'STIMULANT-PARTURIENT' FOODS / HERBS

Uterine Stimulant

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Causes contractions in the uterus often by stimulating production of oxytocin. These herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy.

SEE ALL 'UTERINE-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS

Other:

Tonifies Qi

Foods with a Similar Nature to Schisandra

Sage

Sage has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Nerve-growth-tonic, Stimulant-parturient, Adrenal-tonic, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Stimulates-energy, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Reduces-secretions, Uterine-stimulant
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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Neuroprotective, Adrenal-tonic, Digestive, Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Emmenagogue, Nerve-growth-tonic, Brain-tonic, Hepatoprotective
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Grape

Grape has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Livotonic, Sialogogue, Brain-tonic, Neuroprotective, Tonic, Immune-calming, Rebuilds-fluids
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Ginger (Fresh)

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common
Adrenal-tonic, Digestive, Sialogogue, Antiplatelet, Hepatoprotective, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic, Neuroprotective
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Rosemary

Rosemary has these Actions in Common
Stimulates-energy, Digestive, Improves-focus, Antidepressant, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming
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Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Immune-calming, Antiplatelet, Emmenagogue, Nerve-growth-tonic, Brain-tonic, Hepatoprotective, Neuroprotective, Digestive
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Green Tea

Green Tea has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Nerve-growth-tonic, Digestive, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Immune-calming, Stimulates-energy
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Strawberries

Strawberries has these Actions in Common
Improves-focus, Sialogogue, Digestive, Livotonic, Immune-calming, Rebuilds-fluids
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Ginger (Dried)

Ginger (Dried) has these Actions in Common
Antiplatelet, Neuroprotective, Brain-tonic, Sialogogue, Digestive, Stimulates-energy
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Crystallized Ginger

Crystallized Ginger has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Stimulates-energy, Antiplatelet, Neuroprotective, Brain-tonic, Sialogogue
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Saffron

Saffron has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Livotonic, Digestive, Neuroprotective, Emmenagogue, Stimulates-energy
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Schisandra

Ginseng, Chinese

Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common
Improves-focus, Adaptogen, Nerve-growth-tonic, Adrenal-tonic, Neuroprotective, Antidepressant, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic, Tonic, Digestive, Hepatoprotective, Immune-calming
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Hepatoprotective, Immune-calming, Stimulant-parturient, Adaptogen, Stimulates-energy, Antiplatelet, Uterine-stimulant
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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Immune-calming, Nerve-growth-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Adaptogen, Neuroprotective, Adrenal-tonic, Tonic, Antidepressant
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Rhodiola

Rhodiola has these Actions in Common
Brain-tonic, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Reduces-secretions, Stimulates-energy, Adaptogen, Tonic, Adrenal-tonic, Antidepressant
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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common
Adrenal-tonic, Antidepressant, Digestive, Hepatoprotective, Improves-focus, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Adaptogen, Tonic
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Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Reduces-secretions, Antiplatelet, Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Hepatoprotective, Immune-calming, Nerve-growth-tonic, Neuroprotective
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Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common
Sialogogue, Stimulates-energy, Adaptogen, Tonic, Brain-tonic, Digestive, Hepatoprotective, Improves-focus, Rebuilds-fluids
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Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Stimulates-energy, Adaptogen, Warms-kidney, Adrenal-tonic, Antidepressant, Boosts-gaba, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming
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Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Oxytocic, Stimulant-parturient, Stimulates-energy, Antiplatelet, Digestive, Emmenagogue, Hepatoprotective, Immune-calming
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Skullcap

Skullcap has these Actions in Common
Boosts-gaba, Brain-tonic, Nerve-growth-tonic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Neuroprotective, Tonic, Antidepressant
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Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

Table of Contents

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Metabolic Nature of Schisandra

Metabolic Nature

ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The 6 Tastes

ABOUT SOUR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SWEET BIOCHARACTERISTIC

The Three Doshas / Body Types

The Four Temperaments / Humors

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Other

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Schisandra Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

DIGESTIVE

SIALOGOGUE

NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING

STRONG NEUROPROTECTIVE

ANTIDEPRESSANT

BOOSTS-GABA

BRAIN-TONIC

IMPROVES-FOCUS

NERVE-GROWTH-TONIC

STIMULATES-ENERGY

ADRENAL-TONIC

TONIC

ANTITUSSIVE

ADAPTOGEN

IMMUNE-CALMING

ANTIPLATELET

REBUILDS-FLUIDS

REDUCES-SECRETIONS

WARMS-KIDNEY

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

LIVOTONIC

EMMENAGOGUE

OXYTOCIC

STIMULANT-PARTURIENT

UTERINE-STIMULANT

Foods with a Similar Nature to Schisandra

Sage has these Actions in Common

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Grape has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Rosemary has these Actions in Common

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Green Tea has these Actions in Common

Strawberries has these Actions in Common

Ginger (Dried) has these Actions in Common

Crystallized Ginger has these Actions in Common

Saffron has these Actions in Common

Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Schisandra

Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Rhodiola has these Actions in Common

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Angelica has these Actions in Common

Skullcap has these Actions in Common

Guidelines - Preparation & Dose

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR THESE SYMPTOMS

Mind, Stress & Sleep

Heart, Blood & Circulation

Bowel, Poop Elimination

Digestion

Reproductive-Health

Respiratory, Lung, Throat & Sinus

Skin Care

Diet

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Schisandra
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS