Chinese lemongrass: useful properties and contraindications

The medicinal properties and contraindications of Schizandra chinensis have been known in the Far East and Southeast Asia since ancient times. Sometimes you can find another name for the vine – Chinese schizandra. In China, this plant replaced coffee, a stimulating drink of peoples from the Middle East. From ancient times to this day in China, they are convinced that Chinese lemongrass for men is a miraculous remedy. And there is some truth in this. This part is hidden in the chemical composition of the plant.

The chemical composition of Chinese lemongrass

According to the traditions of Chinese medicine, the Chinese magnolia vine uses all parts of the vine. Berries contain:

• acids: tartaric, citric, malic;
• vitamins: C, B₁, B₂;
• sugar up to 1,5%.

Berry juice supports immunity in winter and supplies the body with essential vitamins.

The seeds contain analogues of caffeine: schizandrin and schizandrol, which have a tonic effect on the body. In addition to these substances, the seeds contain up to 34% fatty oil and tocopherol.

Fatty oil contains acids:

• oleic;
• α-linoleic;
• β-linoleic;
• limit.

The essential oil contained in all parts of the vine is valued in perfumery for its delicate aroma. Most of this oil is found in the bark of the vine.

The oil is a golden yellow liquid with a lemon scent. It consists of:

• aldehydes;
• ketones;
• sesquiterpene hydrocarbons.

Substances contained in Chinese schizandra are antagonists of medications that cause drowsiness and depress the central nervous system. They enhance the effect of stimulants.

Depending on the competent or illiterate use, Chinese magnolia vine can bring both benefits and harm to the body.

Properties of Schisandra chinensis

Useful properties of Chinese magnolia vine, according to Chinese medicine, can almost raise the dead. Along with ginseng. Expectations are shattered by harsh reality, but a set of vitamins really improves well-being with a cold. Schisandrol and Schisandrin stimulate and refresh the body during hard mental work. Often the plant is used as a CNS stimulant in dietary supplements. At the same time, stimulants from the seeds of the plant are no less harmless than caffeine. But if the body is already accustomed to coffee and has stopped responding, you can switch to a drink made from schizandra seeds.

What is useful Chinese lemongrass

Schizandra chinensis is used as an adjuvant for a number of health problems:

• respiratory diseases;
• malfunctions of the cardiovascular system;
• liver disease;
• with poor work of the adrenal glands;
• in case of malfunctions in the digestive tract;
• increased fatigue;
• with stress and depression;
• slight hormonal imbalance
• with pain during menstruation;
• to stabilize the body of a woman during menopause.

Like any plant with healing properties, Chinese magnolia vine should not be taken uncontrollably. In some cases, preparations from Chinese schizander can only damage, despite the beneficial qualities.

Medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis seeds

The main purpose of seeds in the medical field is to stimulate the nervous system and normalize high blood pressure. In China, seeds are considered useful and included in the daily diet to maintain high labor productivity. Ground seeds can be used to make a drink that replaces coffee. Especially if, for some reason, drinking coffee is contraindicated.

Medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis berries

The use of fresh Schisandra chinensis berries is not usually practiced. They have too little sugar and taste bad. Dried berries are used as a medicinal and tonic. In dry form, the fruits retain up to 0,6% of vitamin C and schizardrin. After the removal of water from them, the percentage of sugar increases. Dried berries have a bittersweet taste. Apply in the form of a decoction in the following cases:

• stimulation of the heart;
• stimulation of the respiratory system;
• general tonic;
• adaptogenic;
• psychostimulant.

Translated into simple language: with increased fatigue and a drop in immunity.

Medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis leaves

The leaves of the Chinese schizandra are used as part of herbal preparations with other herbs:

• hibiscus;
• wild rose;
• jasmine;
• mate.

Like fruits and seeds, leaves also contain stimulants. Tea with leaves can be drunk in the morning instead of the usual coffee.

Tea with Chinese schizandra supplies the body with various useful micro and macro elements contained in the leaves of the liana. The beneficial effect of the leaves is the same as that of fruits, but softer than that of berries due to the lower content of stimulating substances.

Medicinal properties of Schizandra chinensis bark

Collecting the bark on an industrial scale for medicinal purposes is not practiced, but in China it is used to make incense. The essential oil made from the bark has a beneficial effect on the nervous system. At least the one that repels mosquitoes.

What diseases does it help

Preparations from Chinese schizandra are general tonic and firming. But they can also be useful for certain diseases:

• hypotension;
• impaired blood supply to the brain;
• chronic fatigue syndrome;
• vegetative dystonia;
• overwork.

It is prescribed for recovery after protracted illnesses. It can be taken in situations where a lot of effort is required during mental work. As an auxiliary component, it is used for impotence due to neurasthenia.

Schisandra chinensis for pressure

The fruits of the vine are potent drugs. They are used for hypotension. Since Schisandra chinensis greatly increases blood pressure, it is forbidden to use it for hypertension. This can lead to a hypertensive crisis.

With hypotension, Chinese schizandra is used in the form of a decoction of berries, tinctures or tea. Alcohol additionally increases the pressure, although at a therapeutic dosage it does not have a special effect.

Schisandra chinensis for diabetes

The fruits of Schisandra chinensis have been used to alleviate the condition in patients with diabetes mellitus. Schizandra Chinese is used in courses of 1 month. Use juice, tincture or decoction. Fruits help reduce blood sugar, but are effective only for mild illness. In severe diabetes, they can only be used as an aid.

Chinese schizandra is used in various forms:

• tincture;
• decoction;
• Fresh Juice;
• cake

Tincture for diabetes is used 20-40 drops 2 times a day: in the morning and afternoon with water. The decoction is taken in 1 tbsp. spoon in the morning and afternoon. Juice is taken 2-3 times a day, 1 tbsp. spoon. Dried cake left after squeezing the juice from the berries is consumed no more than 3 tbsp. l. in a day. When using cake, its amount is regulated, focusing on well-being.

You can also make your own medicinal pills with lemongrass:

• 150 g light asparagus root powder;
• 30 g of white mistletoe powder;
• 30 g of lemongrass berry powder;
• a little honey to get a sticky mass.

Mix all the ingredients well and make balls out of them. Take 3-5 pcs. 2-3 times a day. The tool also helps with loss of strength and anemia.

With asthenic syndrome

Asthenic syndrome is more popularly known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Lemongrass relieves fatigue and invigorates. Some time after taking schizandra, a Chinese person feels a surge of strength and cheerfulness. True, with asthenic syndrome, this condition does not last long, and it is impossible to constantly use preparations from magnolia vine.

With vegetative dystonia

There is no such term in the modern classification of diseases. Its survivability is due to the fact that it is easier to make such a syndromic diagnosis than to search for the true causes of malaise. Usually, the ailments for which such a diagnosis is made are associated with psychosomatic diseases. They can also be one of the signs of hypertension or endocrine disorders. It is also one of the symptoms of chronic ischemia.

If Schisandra is unlikely to cause physical harm in psychosomatic diseases (but no one knows what will happen to an overexcited nervous system), then severe harm will be done in hypertension, even death.

This is the case when you do not need to take any exciting drugs without serious research.

How to use Chinese lemongrass

The dosage of Chinese schizandra is determined by well-being. General principles:

• 1-4 art. spoons 2-3 times a day;
• 3 g of seed powder per day;
• 20-40 drops of tincture 2-3 times a day.

And when taking it, you need to consult a doctor. You should not count on the useful features of schizandra. Self-medication can be detrimental.

How to brew Chinese lemongrass

If we are talking about ordinary tea with the addition of lemongrass, then there are no special rules here. There is not so much Chinese schizander in such tea so that it can show its medicinal qualities. Therefore, tea is brewed in the usual way: 1 tsp. for 200-250 ml of water plus 1 tsp. on the teapot.

When making a decoction, take 10 g (the same teaspoon) of dried lemongrass fruits and pour a glass of hot water. Boil for 15 minutes, filter and add water to the original volume.

Recipe for tincture of Schisandra chinensis on vodka

An alcohol tincture is prepared from Chinese magnolia vine at home. Dried lemongrass berries are poured with 70% alcohol and infused for 10 days. Ingredients ratio: 1 part berries to 5 parts alcohol. Take 20-30 drops 2 times a day.

When used in the evening, the tincture of Chinese magnolia vine will fully show its healing properties. Especially those due to which the nervous system is stimulated, and insomnia will be ensured.

In the absence of alcohol, it is replaced with vodka. The recipe is the same.

Schisandra chinensis oil

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy and as an oral remedy. In the second method, the oil is contained in special capsules. Use in the same cases as other medicinal preparations from lemongrass. Capsules are dietary supplements. Take them 1 capsule 3 times a day. Dosage for adults.

Leaf and bark tea

When preparing “pure” lemongrass tea using leaves and bark, take 15 g of dried liana per 1 liter of boiling water. Tea is infused for 5 minutes without touching the container. Useful features of tea are not only in an invigorating effect. It is also used as an antiscorbutic.

Dried bark is good for winter time. It retains aroma better due to the large amount of essential oil in it.

Wine from Chinese lemongrass at home

The recipe is suitable for gardeners whose liana grows on the site, since quite a lot of raw materials are needed. After squeezing the juice, berry cake / pulp remains. It can be dried and consumed in winter in this form, or you can make wine out of it:

• 1 kg cake;
• 2 liters of filtered water;
• 350 d Sahara.

There are 2 ways to make wine.

First

Cake and water take equal parts. Pour the pulp with water and insist at room temperature for 2-3 days. After that, the wort is drained, water is added, since the acid from the berries can stop the fermentation process. Sugar is added to the liquid at the rate of 1 part sugar to 3 parts wort.

The container is closed so that the carbon dioxide formed during fermentation can easily escape, but oxygen does not enter the container. Usually this is a standard “water lock”. The wort is kept at room temperature until the fermentation process stops. It will be noticeable because bubbles of carbon dioxide will no longer appear in the water tank. The finished wine can be made fortified by adding alcohol to it at the rate of 1 part alcohol to 3 parts wine.

Second

⅔ of a glass jar is filled with cake, the remaining space is covered with sugar. The bottle is closed with cotton wool or several layers of gauze and placed in a warm place for 2-3 weeks. After the expiration of the period, the resulting liquid is drained. The cake is again covered with sugar. This fermentation is repeated 2-3 times. At the last stage, all the resulting mash is filtered and poured into a clean bowl.

It is impossible to call these products useful, because of the simultaneous content of alcohol and substances that stimulate the nervous system.

What can be prepared from the berries of Chinese lemongrass

From the fruits you can cook all the same products that from the berries of other edible crops:

• jam;
• jam;
• jelly;
• morse;
• soft drink;
• stuffing for cakes.

Berry juice is added to wines to give the latter a pleasant bouquet. But the yield of lemongrass is relatively low, and abundant harvests occur only once every few years. Average yield: berries – up to 30 kg per 1 ha, seeds – up to 3 kg per 1 ha.

Chinese lemongrass during pregnancy

In large quantities, plant preparations are harmful to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Overexcitation of the nervous system when using Chinese schizander can lead to miscarriage. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, doctors recommend refusing to use lemongrass.

Противопоказания

Lemongrass has quite a few side effects:

• tachycardia;
• allergy;
• insomnia;
• increased blood pressure;
• headache.

By themselves, these phenomena do not belong to diseases, but are symptoms of other diseases. Because of this, lemongrass should not be used for diseases:

• epilepsy;
• hypertension;
• insomnia and circadian rhythm disturbances;
• problems with cardiac activity;
• too excitable central nervous system;
• liver disease;
• infectious diseases;
• allergies to any component of the plant.

Pregnancy and lactation are not diseases, but the use of lemongrass in these conditions is not recommended. Do not give it to children under 12 years of age.

Reviews of the medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis

Conclusion

The medicinal properties and contraindications of Schisandra chinensis are known today not only to official and Chinese medicine, but also to ordinary gardeners. Many grow this oriental vine in their country house. It withstands frost well and does not create any particular difficulties in growing. Self-made products from berries are a good vitamin help in the winter, when you want to hibernate.