Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae) is from the ripe fruit of Schisandra chinensis and S. Sphenanthera, family Magnoliaceae. The former is mainly produced in the Northeast, Hebei and Shanxi provinces and is identified by the prefix Bei (North). The latter is mainly produced in Southwest China and areas south of the Yangtze River, it is designated with the prefix Nan (South). The medicinal material is collected in the autumn when the fruits are ripe. They are usually sun-dried and used in their raw form, or after being steamed with vinegar and honey and then sun-dried.
Category: Astringent.
Common Name: Schisandra Fruit.
Channels Entered: Heart, Kidney and Lung.
Properties and Functions: Wu Wei Zi is sour in flavour and warm in nature. Its main functions are:
- Astringe (contain) Lung Qi to stop coughing and treat asthma.
- Nourish and tonify the Kidney, contain the essence (Jing) and stop diarrhoea.
- Promotes the generation of body fluids and inhibits sweating.
- Nourishes the Heart and calms the mind.
Indications: Clinical indications for the use of Wu Wei Zi are as follows:
- Chronic cough and asthma with difficulty breathing, occuring due to Lung deficiency.
- For syndromes of Kidney deficiency manifesting as shortness of breath.
- Cough and shortness of breath due to Lung Cold.
- Thirst due to consumption of body fluids, spontaneuos perspiration and night sweating.
- Damage to qi and yin due to excessive Heat manifesting as palpitation, weak pulse, thirst and excessive sweating.
- Nocturnal emissions, spermatorrhoea, vaginal discharge, chronic diarrhoea and daybreak diarrhoea.
- Deficiency of heart-blood and kidney-yin manifesting as vexation, palpitation, insomnia and frequent dreams.
Dosage: 2 – 6g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated for conditions of excess Heat; exterior conditions that have not been thoroughly cleared and in early stages of coughs and rashes.