Lemongrass properties and application recipes. Useful properties of Chinese magnolia vine, dosage forms and applications. Effect of the plant on the body

Schisandra fruits, both fresh and dried, have valuable properties for our body.

For drying, ripe lemongrass fruits are collected fresh in baskets. Then the fruits are scattered in a thin layer and dried first in the sun or in the shade in the wind, and then dried in a dryer or oven at a temperature of 40 - 55 ° C (you can dry the lemongrass fruits in heat dryers at a temperature of 40 - 55 ° C for 6 - 8 ocloc'k).

Dried Schisandra berries retain up to 0.6% ascorbic acid and schisandrin; they have a spicy smell and bitter-sweet taste. The shelf life of raw materials is 2 years.

You can prepare fortified juice from fresh and dry lemongrass fruits at home. Freshly picked fruits are washed, squeezed in a juicer and immediately sterilized in small bottles. Dried fruits are boiled for 10 minutes in a closed enamel container, after which they are infused in a thermos (for several hours), filtered through cheesecloth and sugar is added to taste. For 1 tbsp. take a spoonful of dry berries and 1 glass of water. One teaspoon of this juice is enough to give the tea a pleasant taste.

Dried lemongrass fruits are used in the confectionery industry in the production of sweets, jelly, jam, syrups, flavor extracts (in winemaking) and tea seasonings. For medicinal purposes, a decoction of dried lemongrass fruits is prepared in a ratio of 20:200 and drunk 1 tbsp. spoon 2 - 3 times a day, warm.

Powder from dry fruits or seeds of schisandra is taken 0.5 g in the morning and evening (see also the article “Schizandra chinensis seeds”).

Benefit

1. The dried fruits of Schisandra chinensis contain: ash – 1.6%, water-soluble substances – 8.7% weight, starch – about 1%, fiber – 2.65%. The sugar content reaches 9.5%.

2. Dry schisandra berries retain up to 0.6% ascorbic acid and schisandrin.

3. Doctors recommend dry mashed lemongrass fruits to sick people with low blood pressure, as well as to those who have suffered serious illnesses.

Read more about the healing properties of Schisandra fruits in the article “Chinese Schisandra” (section “Benefits”).

Harm

1. The use of lemongrass as a strong tonic and stimulant should be carried out only with a preliminary medical examination and medical supervision.

2. The following are mentioned as side effects when using lemongrass: allergic reactions (with an overdose, even Quincke's edema is possible); tachycardia; sleep disorders; increased gastric secretion; headache; promotion blood pressure.

3. In this regard, preparations containing lemongrass are contraindicated in the following factors: violation of cardiac activity; arterial hypertension; organic diseases of the cardiovascular system; increased excitability; epilepsy; increased intracranial pressure; sleep disorders (insomnia); overexcitement; acute infectious diseases; chronic liver diseases; hypersensitivity to the components of the drug; during pregnancy (stimulates labor activity!); during lactation; with vegetative-vascular dystonia of the hypertensive type; arachnoiditis; with arachnoencephalitis.

4. Attention! Schisandra preparations are contraindicated for children under 12 years old!

Interesting fact

For Far Eastern Nanai hunters, a handful of dried lemongrass fruits instantly helped relieve fatigue and, sharpening their eyesight, made it possible to pursue an animal for several days with meager food. During the Great Patriotic War dried lemongrass was successfully used by Soviet pilots during night flights.

Folk medicine has long been aware of the existence of Chinese magnolia vine. IN medicinal purposes Its seeds and fruits have been used for a very long time, which allows one to get rid of many diseases. The name of the plant was not accidental. So he was dubbed for the presence of a characteristic lemon smell.

Botanical certificate

This popular plant has the appearance of a creeper and many other names. Often it is called schizandra, Manchurian or Far Eastern lemongrass. The existence of the Chinese version is best known. It is used more often than other types.

The stalk of lemongrass has a branching appearance. Its diameter can reach 2 cm, and it can stretch up to 15 m in length. The shoots are covered with bark with a red-brown tint. Young shoots have a glossy surface, while in older shoots it becomes flaky. In a clockwise direction, the shoots, as they grow, wrap around shrubs and the trunk of large trees. During one growing season, the plant can rise up to one and a half meters.

The red-brown roots contain alternate leaves, the length of which can reach 3 cm. The foliage has an elliptical shape. The sex of the flowers is separate. Their location is long pink pedicels. The fruits are represented by berries in the shape of a ball. The fruit contains two seeds with a brown tint.

The flowers, stems and leaves emit a pungent odor similar to lemon, which is how the plant got its name. The plant blooms in May. The pronounced aroma naturally attracts insects, which actively pollinate it. The fruits ripen in September-October. At this time, they soften, the pulp becomes juicier, and the fruits themselves are covered with a thin layer of peel.

Reproduction is carried out through seeds and vegetation. The plant is found in the Far East, Primorsky, Khabarovsk Territories, Amur Region, and Sakhalin. The plant is demanding of water, because it does not tolerate dryness at all, but at the same time does not tolerate waterlogging. It does not like shade, so it grows well in areas of former fires, where all the trees that could shade and inhibit its growth have burned down. As a medicinal plant, it is cultivated artificially. Entire plantations are created for its cultivation.

Chemical components

The plant contains a large number of chemical representatives:

The biological value is determined by the content of schizandrol and schizandrin in it.
The plant contains many representatives of the organic acid series - such as malic, tartaric, citric acid.
A certain amount of minerals is contained. Their set is diverse, and the number of some of them is very decent in size.
From vitamin substances, attention should be focused on vitamin E. It is present in considerable quantities.
The seeds differ in the content of various tonic substances.
The fruits contain essential oils and substances of sesquiterpene nature.
Tannins and dyes are present in sufficient quantities.

Medicinal properties

The plant's ability to cure certain diseases has been known since ancient China. By the way, it was the Chinese who first used it as a pharmacological agent. The popularity of this plant has become so widespread that it has stepped over the limits of its natural habitat, and moved to gardeners' plots.

Now it is grown even on an industrial scale. The pharmaceutical industry needs it. In the pharmacopoeias of many countries, this plant is given a worthy place. Lemongrass has a set of the following actions:

The ability to stimulate the tone of the nervous system. Going to hunt on a long journey, the Chinese always took with them a couple of handfuls of the fruits of this plant. On a long trip, not only the muscular apparatus is loaded, but also the nervous structures. The fruits of this plant become a reliable assistant in this regard. Having consumed these berries, a person can do without food and feel very cheerful. The main feature is that nerve cells do not undergo exhaustion.
Chinese lemongrass is able to increase mental performance. With its use, attention and integrity of perception are sharpened.
Visual acuity is also associated with the action of lemongrass. In particular, it is able to enhance night vision. There is a significant increase. The body gains greater resistance to adverse environmental factors.
The heart and respiratory function are stimulated, which certainly affects the enhancement of cellular metabolism. All cellular structures receive more oxygen.
The influence of the plant extends to almost all internal organs. Therefore, this medicinal plant is used for the therapeutic correction of many pathological conditions. With the help of lemongrass, for example, they fight anemia and conditions associated with hypotension.
Preparations based on schisandra are included in the complex treatment regimen for asthenic and depressive conditions. But it is impossible to abuse such drugs in order to avoid overexcitation. The plant acts only at a functional level. But it will be completely useless in the presence of organic lesions.
Fresh berry juice has a pronounced bacteriostatic effect. It is not capable of killing pathogenic microflora, but it retards its growth. The causative agent of dysentery, coccal flora, and E. coli are sensitive to the juice.
Schisandra in the form of a tincture (30-40 drops per dose) will help those who have pneumonia, vascular insufficiency, and tuberculous lymphadenitis.
Using lemongrass is useful for people with a history of chronic gastritis. Under its influence, the secretory function of the stomach is normalized. It is enough to take the seeds of the plant in powder form, 2 g each, and the acidity in the gastrointestinal tract will increase in those who previously had low acidity. At the same time, he can lower it. It is recommended to take 1 g powder for those who have hyperacid gastritis. This will eliminate pain and reduce acidity. For gastritis with low acidity it is useful to take juice from lemongrass fruits.
With the use of lemongrass, reflex activity increases. This is observed even in cases where there is drug poisoning of the body.

Fact! Thanks to Khabarovsky's research, the accuracy of the dosage of the medicinal plant for therapeutic correction has been established. Adults can consume 1.5 grams of seeds, but teenagers should limit themselves to 0.5 grams.

Experimental data show that with the help of lemongrass it is possible to relieve the feeling of fatigue under increased stress in military personnel and people involved in sports. There is a more pronounced tonic effect compared to cola or phenamine. A good feature is that there is no ability to cumulate, in other words, accumulation in the body.

Who is shown the plant?

The plant is used and will be useful for a number of conditions:

It is advisable to use the plant for those whose condition is associated with loss of strength.
Schisandra will be useful for people with low blood pressure.
Anemia of various origins.
Bronchial asthma, conditions associated with acute and chronic bronchitis.
tuberculosis process.
In order to improve the function of the organ of vision.
Pathology of the digestive tract.
Sexual impotence.

Schisandra preparations should be taken if there is a need to increase mental and physical endurance.

Contraindications

Despite its benefits, this plant has a whole bunch of restrictions on its use. This includes the following conditions:

Schisandra should not be used by people with high blood pressure.
Schisandra is excluded for people with increased intracranial pressure.
The plant is contraindicated for persons with increased nervous excitement.
It is forbidden to take lemongrass for those who suffer from insomnia.
Organic pathology of the heart.
Acute infectious process.
Presence of epileptic seizures.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Ulcerative processes of the digestive tract.
Children under 12 years of age.

When using, you must follow the prescribed dosage. The plant should not be abused, since if the recommended dose is exceeded, overstimulation of the nervous system may occur. You should refrain from drinking the juice of berries collected in the spring. This is due to their excessive activity. In any case, before you start taking lemongrass, you should consult a doctor.

Possible side effects

Preparations based on schisandra can cause a number of side effects. This includes the following points:

The occurrence of a condition associated with tachycardia.
Development of allergic reactions.
Sleep may be disrupted.
The occurrence of headaches.

It should be used with caution by people with high blood pressure, since it increases with the use of schisandra.

Prescription formulations

Traditional medicine has long been widely used plant. Useful properties are recognized by traditional medicine.

Preparing the tincture
Its use will improve mood and increase efficiency. Prepared on alcohol with a strength of 70 and 96%.

Option #1
To prepare it you will need:

1 part ripe or dry lemongrass;
alcohol 70% - 5 parts.

The tincture is prepared in a dark bottle. Berries are poured into it, which are subsequently poured with alcohol. The composition is infused for 10 days. Throughout this period, it must be periodically shaken. After the expiration date, the composition is filtered and stored in cool conditions. During storage, avoid direct sunlight. The bottle must be tightly closed during storage. The dosage is 20-30 drops in the morning on an empty stomach. Eating is carried out no earlier than after 20-30 minutes. The second time the tincture is taken at lunch. This is done within one month. This duration is the course of treatment.

Option No. 2
It uses leaves or shoots of a plant. Required:

1 part finely chopped leaves;
alcohol 70% - 3 parts.

The preparation terms and conditions are identical to the first case, but the reception relationship has its own nuances. They also take 20-30 drops, but after a meal and not earlier than after 4 hours.

Seeds for tincture
Taking this tincture stimulates the mental and physical activity. How vitamin complex, the tincture leads to strengthening of the body, the functioning of the nervous and immune systems improves. It is also indicated for those with increased acidity. The tincture will increase blood pressure and relieve drowsiness. Taking the drug helps improve mental adaptation. It also helps improve sensory functioning. To prepare you will need:

Chinese lemongrass seeds – 50 g;
vodka – 0.5 liters.

Before cooking, the seeds are washed well with water. Then they need to be crushed. After that they are filled with vodka. The composition is infused for two weeks in the dark. The tincture should be taken three times a day, 25-30 drops per dose.

Preparation of infusion: take dried berries. Fresh berries can also be used. They must be brewed with boiling water and used as tea. This drink will significantly improve the tone of the body.

In order for the effect to be maximum in magnitude, the berries must be dried correctly. First, they need to be air-dried a little, and then they are placed on a baking sheet and placed in the oven. The temperature should not exceed 60 degrees. Drying is carried out four times and lasts several days.

Berries for infusion
To prepare the infusion you will need the following components:

Berry of a medicinal plant – 15 g.
Boiling water in a volume of 300 ml.

The berries are pre-crushed and then poured with boiling water. The composition is put on fire, brought to a boil and kept in this state for a quarter of an hour. Only one tablespoon is needed per dose. This is done 2-3 times a day, no later than 5 hours before bedtime.

The fruits are stored for future use for the winter. To do this, they are covered with granulated sugar. In this form they are stored well and allow you to always be in good shape. The ratio of berries and sugar is 1:2. After this, they are placed in glass containers, tightly sealed and stored in cold conditions.

Preparing medicinal juice
For this purpose, you can use a regular juicer. The juice is poured into jars and sterilized. It must be stored in the refrigerator, sealed. When consumed, the juice is diluted with warm water. To tone up, juice can be added to tea or coffee. Before preparing the juice, of course, the berries must be thoroughly washed.

It is not necessary to prepare an alcohol tincture at home, since it is freely available in pharmacies. By the way, it is quite inexpensive. It is usually taken twice a day in the morning and lunchtime. There are 20-30 drops per dose. This should be done half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is one month.

It will be useful to drink tea from this plant, which can increase tone. It is not only healthy, but also pleasant to taste when consumed. All parts of the plant can be used to make tea, with the exception of the roots. This drink is excellent in color with a golden hue. In hot weather, it will perfectly refresh, increase tone, improve mood and add strength.

The leaves of the plant have a milder effect than the berries, since they contain much less substances with tonic properties. This drink can serve as an excellent vitamin supplement and can also be used in the fight against diseases such as scurvy.

Women who are watching their figure do not have to worry about the calorie content of the plant. It is only 11 kcal contained in 100 g of product.

Before starting treatment with lemongrass, you must consult a doctor, and during treatment, strictly follow all his instructions.

Video: medicinal properties of lemongrass

Schisandra chinensis is a species of flowering plant in the genus Schisandra and belongs to the family Schisandraceae. In Russia, it is distributed in the Primorsky Territory, in the south of the Khabarovsk Territory, the Sakhalin Region and in the southwest of the Amur Region. Read about the properties of Chinese lemongrass and its features further in the article.

Among woody lianas, Schisandra chinensis occupies the northernmost position and is one of the most frost-resistant and early ripening fruit vines in the world.

Description of Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis is a perennial, woody, deciduous vine with powerful branching stems reaching 10–15 m in length and 1–2 cm in diameter. The bark of young shoots is glossy, red-brown, covered with sparse rounded lentils. Old stems have dark brown, flaky bark. Schisandra shoots with their apex curl around the support in a clockwise direction, climbing up 1–1.5 m during one growing season. In unfavorable conditions, lemongrass takes on a bush-like form, does not climb and does not bear fruit.

The leaves of Chinese lemongrass are alternate, petiolate, slightly fleshy, green above, bare, lighter below, with slight pubescence along the protruding veins. On a young growing shoot, the leaves are arranged alternately in a spiral, and at the base of the shortened fruiting shoots they are brought closer together, which forms a false whorl. Leaf petioles are succulent, red-brown, 1–3 cm long. The leaf blade is elliptical or obovate, pointed, 5–10 cm long, 3–5 cm wide. The leaf edge has small papillary teeth.

Schisandra is a monoecious plant with dioecious flowers. Male and female flowers are located 2–7 in the axil of the bud scales of fertile or growth shoots. Flower tubercles are formed in the summer along with a bud, and by autumn the flower primordia are differentiated into male and female. Pedicels are 1–4 cm long, drooping, ending in fragrant flowers, 1–1.5 cm in diameter. The perianth is corolla-shaped, its leaves are white. Male flowers of Chinese magnolia vine lack a receptacle and bear 3–7 stamens fused at the base. Female flowers have 30–40 free green leaflets located on the receptacle in the form of a cone.

Medicinal properties of Schisandra chinensis

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Chinese lemongrass has won its place among medicinal plants. The beneficial properties of Chinese Schisandra are determined by its constituents: schisandrin and schisandrol, vitamins (A, E, C) and vital micro- and macroelements (barium, potassium, manganese, copper, calcium, zinc, iron, cobalt, chromium, molybdenum, magnesium, selenium, nickel, boron, iodine).

The lemongrass plant has the following medicinal properties:

adaptogenic;
choleretic;
tonic;
restorative;
wound healing.

Schisandra chinensis improves the functioning of the nervous system: it activates reflexes, enhances reflex excitability, and helps improve neuromuscular conductivity. Used for neurasthenia.

Its use is possible for people suffering from diabetes. Lemongrass contributes to the normalization of work digestive system, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands.

Based on Schisandra, drugs are produced that improve the functioning of the circulatory system. For many, the question remains open: does lemongrass increase or decrease blood pressure? It is recommended for use in cases of hypotension (low blood pressure), as well as decreased tone of blood vessels and anemia. The product strengthens smooth and skeletal muscles.

Chinese lemongrass is recommended for various diseases of the respiratory system: bronchial asthma, bronchitis (acute, chronic), persistent cough, tuberculosis. Prevents oxygen starvation by stimulating the breathing process.

The plant is widely used in dermatology for the treatment of vasculitis, vitiligo, baldness, psoriasis, dermatosis (viral, cystic, allergic dermatosis), lichen planus.

Pollination and fruiting

The flowers of Schisandra chinensis are pollinated by small beetles that eat pollen, and less commonly by bees and flies. Flowers do not have nectaries or nectar.

After flowering, male and unfertilized female flowers dry out and fall off along with the peduncle. Viable seeds (and berries) develop only through cross-pollination. Self-pollination within a liana clone leads to the formation of leaflets with non-viable seeds in which the endosperm is underdeveloped or absent.

The fruit is a juicy multi-leaflet with a receptacle that lengthens to 8–10 cm during fruiting, on which there are 4–40 juicy bright red leaflets, the diameter of which is 5–10 mm. An individual spherical one- or two-seeded leaflet bears the trade name “fruit.” The elongated receptacle with a peduncle and mature fruits is usually called a “tassel”. In the case of self-pollination, the raceme is shortened and bears non-reddening fruits of smaller diameter.

The seeds of Schisandra chinensis are round, kidney-shaped, with a small transverse scar in the concave part and a dense, shiny skin. The seed is 4 mm long, 3 mm wide and 2 mm thick.

The root system of Schisandra chinensis is branched, fibrous. The depth of the roots is 10–30 cm.

Schisandra prefers moderate soil and air humidity and an abundance of nutrients in the soil. Its main thickets are located in coniferous-deciduous forests of the Manchurian type, located at an altitude of up to 900 m above sea level. The shrub layer of the forest is used by him as a support. Fruiting vines are found only in open, unshaded areas along the banks of rivers and streams, along forest edges and roadsides, in small forests, and in old fires.

Planting and caring for Chinese Lemongrass

In the garden, it is recommended to place Chinese lemongrass in an area that is illuminated by the sun for at least 7–8 hours a day. In addition, it is especially important to provide protection for vines from cold, drying winds from the northern and eastern directions, which are dangerous during the period when shoots begin to grow and plants bloom. Schisandra needs fertile, well-drained soils cultivated to great depth.

It grows best on medium to light loam; does not grow in wetlands and does not withstand flood waters. The drought tolerance of plants is low; 1-2 year old seedlings especially suffer from lack of moisture, so in the first spring and summer after planting they are shaded and watered abundantly, preventing the soil from drying out.

When planting, stones or pebbles for drainage are first added into a planting hole measuring 40x40x40 cm, then fertile soil with mineral fertilizers (superphosphate, potassium chloride, urea 100–150 g each). A seedling is placed on a mound in the hole, fall asleep and watered abundantly.

Chinese lemongrass is planted at a distance of 75–100 cm in one row near a trellis 2.5–3 m high. It is installed before or immediately after planting lemongrass. It is better to install the trellis from metal pipes, onto which steel wire 3–5 mm thick is pulled in three rows. The bottom wire is pulled at a height of 0.5 m from the ground, the second one one meter from the bottom, the third at the top of the support. It is better to replace the top wire with a pipe with a diameter of 0.5 inches or a thick reinforcing rod.

Then you need to stretch vertical cords with a distance between them of approximately 0.5 m, along which the plants themselves will rise up. For this purpose, you can use aluminum or copper wire 3–4 mm thick. In the year of planting, schisandra plants produce weak growth shoots, in the second year the shoots reach one meter, and in the 3rd–4th year the plants close together, forming a solid wall.

Vegetation Schisandra chinensis begins at the end of May. The shoot immediately takes on the form of a liana, which is looking for support and wraps itself around it. Without support, plants can form abundant root growth and not enter fruiting time for a long time. Usually, fruiting occurs in the 5-7th year of the seedlings' life. Thus, in order to ensure timely fruiting of lemongrass, it is necessary to install a trellis in time and annually clear it of root growth. Young Schisandra plants entering the fruiting period produce predominantly male flowers, female flowers as they grow.

In an adult liana, the flowers are arranged in tiers: in the lower part they are predominantly male, in the upper part they are female. The presence of flowers of one sex or another is not a stable feature; it depends on age, lighting, nutritional conditions, humidity and temperature. Lemongrass blooms in June for 8–12 days. Pollination is cross pollinated by small insects. Therefore, if one Schisandra plant or several grown only from the root shoots of one bush grow in the garden, then fruiting is unlikely. Usually 4-5 plants are planted in one trellis. In rainy weather, pollination is not enough.

Contraindications to the use of Schisandra chinensis

Despite all the medicinal properties, Schisandra chinensis should be taken with extreme caution, since it has a number of contraindications. Especially - when exceeding the norm of daily intake. First of all, this is a possible allergy.

In addition, contraindications to taking Schisandra chinensis are: insomnia; high blood pressure, hypertension; heart rhythm disturbances; increased nervous excitement; acute infectious diseases; chronic liver diseases; epilepsy.

It is contraindicated for pregnant women to take the fruits of Schisandra chinensis - this can tone the uterus and cause miscarriage, for nursing mothers, and for children under 12 years of age. Before using Schisandra chinensis fruit, be sure to consult your doctor.

Lemongrass productivity

The fruit of Chinese Schisandra is similar in appearance to a cluster of red currants. The fruit clusters do not fall until autumn frosts. The yield per bush is from 1 to 5 kg, depending on age and growing conditions. When harvesting, the brushes must be plucked very carefully so as not to damage the plants. You cannot pull vines from the trellis, or chop them or break branches. Damaged vines usually stop bearing fruit.

Adult fruiting vines are fed 2–3 times a summer or diluted 7–8 times with water. Every 3–4 years, carefully trim off all excess shoots.

Propagation of Schisandra chinensis

Schisandra propagates by seeds, green cuttings, and layering. But if you take one bush of lemongrass and propagate it by any vegetative method, then when planting at least ten such vines you should not expect fruiting. Therefore, I do not use propagation by cuttings and will not describe such technology, although it is simple and I have tested it.

Seed propagation of Schisandra chinensis. When full maturity is reached, the brushes are torn off. Then the fruits are separated from the brush, kneaded in a glass or enamel bowl and the juice is squeezed out through cheesecloth. The remaining seeds in it, without washing with water, are sorted by hand to separate them from the remaining pulp. The resulting seeds are poured into a glass jar, a little lemongrass juice is added and the lid is tightly closed. In this form, the seeds should be stored in the refrigerator until planting. During storage, shake the jar periodically to ensure even wetting of the seeds.

Planting should be done in the fall, shortly before the soil freezes. I usually do this at the end of September. Immediately after sowing, I water the bed well and mulch it with humus or rotted manure with a layer of 2–3 cm.

Schisandra shoots do not appear all at once; this sometimes stretches into May and June. It is absolutely necessary to keep the sowing bed clean and always moist since spring. In the first summer, schisandra seedlings are very demanding of care and moisture; even short-term drying out of the soil is unacceptable. Partial shading of the bed is desirable. Damage to young seedlings by starlings is possible.

There are practically no diseases or pests on adult Schisandra vines.

Application of lemongrass

The use of Schisandra preparations is effective for overwork, loss of strength, general weakness and nervous exhaustion. Schisandra has a tonic effect on the nervous and cardiovascular systems, enhances night vision, and reduces blood sugar. In China, doctors used it for medicinal purposes back in the 5th century. Local hunters in the Far East took dried lemongrass berries for hunting in order to be hardy, not get tired and not suffer from frost.

Chinese lemongrass tea and jam

Schisandra fruits are widely used in nutrition, both fresh and processed. You can make juice, compote, and raw jam from the fruits.

Schisandra shoots, leaves, and berries can be dried (at a temperature of + 60oC) and then used to prepare tonic drinks and tea.

How was Schisandra tincture used in the plant’s homeland - China? Since ancient times, it has been used to treat not only insomnia, exhaustion and overwork of the body, but also digestive disorders, poor eyesight, shortness of breath, and respiratory diseases. Today, all instructions for the drug indicate its main pharmacological effect - tonic and adaptogenic. What other healing properties does this herbal medicine have? What are the conditions for its safe use?

Description of pharmaceutical tincture of lemongrass and special instructions

Despite the limited growing area of this plant (China, Korea, Japan, Far East), the tincture is not considered a scarce medicine. It can be freely purchased at a pharmacy. And this herbal medicine is quite cheap.

Composition and release form

Tincture of schisandra seeds is considered a stronger drug than tincture of schisandra fruits. The seeds of this plant contain a large amount of schisandrin, a substance that stimulates the functioning of the nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. Schisandrin is also present in Schisandra fruits, but in a smaller amount.

To prepare fruit tincture: use crushed lemongrass berries and 95% alcohol. The drug is produced in volumes of 15, 25, 50, 100 ml.
To prepare a tincture from seeds: use seeds (1 ml contains 0.2 g of seeds) and 95% alcohol.

The tincture is a liquid yellow color. During storage, oily drops and sediment may appear.

pharmachologic effect

Phytopreparation belongs to pharmacological group tonic and adaptogenic medicines. What are beneficial features Chinese lemongrass? The plant is a biostimulant. It contains the following healing substances:

organic fatty acid and steroids;
lignan compounds (schisandrin, schisatherin, gomisins and others);
sugars, pectins, tannins;
coloring matter, sterols, tocopherols;
fatty oil;
vitamins E and C;
microelements;
essential oil (mostly in the bark);
resin.

How does the plant affect the human body?

Enhances conditioned reflexes.
Stimulates reflex excitability, vegetovascular system.
Improves motor and secretory functions of the gastrointestinal tract.
Enhances light sensitivity and color sensitivity of the retina.
Activates metabolism.
Strengthens immune system and stimulates immunobiological reactions.
Increases the content of glycogen (energy reserve) in the muscles.
Reduces the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles during exercise.
Stimulates the work of smooth muscles.
Stimulates breathing.
Dilates blood vessels.
Increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
Lowers the level of chlorides and sugar in the blood.
Regenerates and restores the affected areas of the skin and mucous membranes.

The antioxidant activity of lemongrass has also been proven. It removes toxins from the body, heavy metals, free radicals are neutralized, vessels are cleansed, cholesterol is reduced.

Indications

At what diagnoses and symptoms is lemongrass extract prescribed?

Asthenic syndrome.
Chronic fatigue syndrome.
Neurasthenia.
Reactive depression.
Drowsiness.
Stress and fatigue.
Decreased physical and mental performance.
Hypotension.
Intoxication and recovery period after serious illnesses.
Prevention of colds, ARVI.

Modern instructions for using schisandra tincture include far from full list indications. The main pharmacological action is indicated here - stimulating and general tonic. How else is this herbal medicine used, for example, in Korea, China and Japan, in the Far East?

In the Far East. Schisandra leaves, which contain 5 times more vitamin C than fruits, are used to prevent scurvy and periodontal disease. Teas and decoctions are prepared from them. Tea from the leaves is drunk here not only for vigor, but also for diseases of the cardiovascular system. Far Eastern peoples drink a tincture of fruits and seeds as an expectorant and anti-allergenic remedy, as well as for kidney inflammation.
In Chinese, Korean and Japanese folk medicine . Schisandra treats infertility, diseases of the vas deferens in men, excessive sweating, anemia, bronchial asthma, tuberculosis, hematopoietic and thyroid diseases, urinary incontinence. It is also prescribed in complex therapy for leukemia.

Contraindications

The contraindications specified in the instructions for use should not be neglected. For any chronic diseases, a mandatory consultation with a doctor is required. Stimulant drugs can exacerbate inflammatory, sluggish processes in the body. What is included in the list of contraindications?

Acute form of infections of any nature - viral, fungal, bacterial.
Hypertension.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system, liver.
Disorders and pathologies of the central nervous system.
Epileptic seizures and convulsions of any origin.
Traumatic brain injuries.
Great nervous excitement with insomnia.
Mental disorders.
Allergic reaction.

A controversial question arises: does the tincture lower or increase blood pressure? IN medical instructions Hypertension is one of the first contraindications for Schisandra preparations. However, in Chinese folk medicine and in some herbalists, different information is found: Schisandra regulates blood circulation and normalizes blood pressure. Depending on the dosage, he can increase or decrease it. There is also an opinion that a tincture of seeds is indicated for hypertension, and a tincture of fruits is indicated for hypotension.

Dosage and conditions of administration

How to take the tincture? The dosage and course are prescribed by the doctor. The instructions indicate universal, approximate doses, which may vary depending on the disease, age, treatment regimen and course duration.

Dosage. The medication is started with small doses to make sure there is no allergic reaction. For prevention, 15 drops are prescribed 1-2 times a day. During treatment, the dose may be doubled; the medicine can be taken 3 times a day.
Well . The tincture is taken for 3-4 weeks. Then a break is taken, and if necessary, the doctor prescribes a repeat course.
Conditions of admission. It is recommended to take drops 3-4 hours after meals or half an hour before meals. To dilute the astringent, burning taste of the medicine, it is diluted with water.

Taking the drug in the afternoon (especially in the evening) can lead to insomnia and nervous agitation. When taken twice, the herbal medicine is drunk in the morning after waking up and at lunchtime. On average, the medicine begins to act 40 minutes after administration. The therapeutic effect lasts from 4 to 6 hours.

Drug interactions

Schisandra tincture should not be taken in combination therapy with other nervous system stimulants. These include:

analeptics;
psychostimulants;
spinal cord stimulators;
cerebral cortex stimulants;
adaptogens;
nootropic drugs.

Schisandra chinensis extract enhances the effect of stimulating and adaptogenic drugs, both synthetic and plant origin. With respect to sedatives medicines Schisandra tincture is an antagonist and inhibits the effect of sleeping pills. Also, lemongrass is not compatible with any antipsychotics that depress the nervous system and weaken psychomotor agitation.

Reviews

Reviews about lemongrass tincture are mostly positive. Many note its sharp, astringent, tart taste and fairly quick action - after 30 minutes a surge of energy is felt. The invigorating effect of lemongrass is not a myth, but you need to take into account the individual characteristics of the body. There are also people who do not feel any effects of the tincture.

Use in athletes. Schisandra, like Rhodiola, ginseng, Eleutherococcus, and Aralia, is often taken during bodybuilding. Sometimes these drugs are taken together, but it is easy to overdose, especially with high blood pressure. Athletes recommend testing the effect of lemongrass in small doses and not engaging in “amateur activities” or drinking the tincture in teaspoons. Its effect is felt quickly. This is a natural and powerful “doping” that is officially permitted by the Anti-Doping Code. Some athletes manage to drink lemongrass before competitions in exorbitantly large doses, which is dangerous to health.
Use for physical overload, for people working night shifts. The tincture stimulates the central nervous system and, indeed, helps relieve drowsiness and fatigue when working on the night shift or heavy work. physical labor. But it should be taken on the recommendation of a doctor, not all the time, but in a course. You cannot hook your nervous system on biostimulants; this can lead to insomnia, chronic fatigue, nervousness and even mental disorders. There is such medical term as “drug withdrawal syndrome”. Abrupt cessation of taking Schisandra after a long course can lead to CNS depression.
Use in the elderly. Biostimulants are often recommended for older people. Far Eastern Schisandra tincture increases physical activity, improves memory and mental activity. But the dosage of this herbal medicine in older people should be preventive. There have been complaints of excessive vigor and rapid heartbeat in elderly patients. Elderly people should take the medicine under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Dilution in water. It is strictly forbidden to dilute the drug in coffee or strong tea (there are also such tips). These drinks will further stimulate the nervous system. It is recommended to dilute the drops in a small volume of water; you can take them with juice or compote, but it is better to dilute them with water.

Side effects after taking Schisandra tincture are possible in case of individual intolerance, overdose, or long-term course. The following symptoms may appear: rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, severe nervous agitation, insomnia, headache, allergic reaction. In case of overdose, digestive disorders may occur - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. In case of side effects, the drug should be discontinued and consult a doctor.

How to prepare lemongrass at home

In addition to the tincture, you can buy dried lemongrass fruits or powder at the pharmacy. From these raw materials you can independently prepare decoctions, teas, infusions, and alcohol tinctures. How to brew lemongrass to preserve its healing properties?

Decoction

The decoction, compared to pharmaceutical alcohol tincture, contains fewer substances that stimulate the nervous system. Therefore, it is permissible to increase its dosage. A decoction can be prepared from both fruits and other parts of the plant - stems, leaves, bark. Residents of the Far East prepare this healing drink from fresh lemongrass.

Preparation

Take one teaspoon of dry lemongrass raw material.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Place in a water bath for 5 minutes.
Insist for half an hour.

The strained broth is drunk on an empty stomach, 3 tbsp. spoons 3 times a day.

Infusion

An infusion, unlike a tincture, is prepared using an aqueous decoction. It should not be stored for more than a day.

Preparation

Take 1 tbsp. a spoonful of lemongrass berries (dry or fresh).
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Leave for 2-3 hours.

You can drink 4 times a day, 2 tbsp. spoons. The infusion, like the decoction, is taken not only internally, but also externally. They are recommended to wipe their face with oily, porous skin. It is also a good antiseptic for treating wounds, inflammations of the skin and mucous membranes.

Tea

In the Far East, Chinese lemongrass tea is drunk to prevent influenza, colds, ARVI, and for physical and mental fatigue. Tea is prepared not only from the berries, but also from the leaves, stems and bark of the plant. Herbal tea with lemongrass can be purchased at the pharmacy. It can be “Schisandra with herbs” (with rose hips and kopeck tea), “Blueberry-mix” (with blueberries, lemongrass, rose hips, chokeberry, Sudanese rose), herbal tea “Altai No. 16” (with lemongrass seeds, chamomile, St. John’s wort, currant leaves, Leuzea root).

Making tea according to the recipe of Far Eastern hunters

Take 1 teaspoon of crushed dry (fresh) lemongrass leaves.
Pour a glass of boiling water.
Brew as you would regular tea for 3-5 minutes.

You can drink this tea in a whole glass. It is not recommended to steam the leaves in a thermos, because the aroma and pleasant lemon taste of the drink are lost.

Features of use in women, men and children

Sometimes there are opposing views and opinions regarding the use of the drug in patients of different sexes and ages. This is due to Eastern traditions and Western approaches. In the eastern traditional medicine There are nuances that Western medicine either does not recognize at all or misses.

For women . Pregnancy and lactation are the main contraindications for use in women. The plant stimulates smooth muscles, can tone the uterus and provoke premature birth, early stages- miscarriage. However, in Korean folk medicine one can find the opposite opinion: lemongrass is prescribed to stimulate labor and is given to a woman to drink at certain intervals during childbirth.
For men . Schisandra tincture is effective for diseases of the vas deferens, premature ejaculation, and male infertility. It is a natural aphrodisiac that stimulates sexual activity. Most often, with chronic adrenal insufficiency, disorders in the sexual sphere occur in men. Impotence, which occurs due to stress and overwork, is successfully treated with the help of lemongrass. In the East, long-term use of the powder is recommended.
For children . Children under 12 years of age are contraindicated from taking lemongrass tincture. After 12 years of age, treatment with the drug is carried out under the supervision of a doctor. Stimulation of the unstable nervous system of a child and adolescent can lead to excessive excitement, insomnia, and hyperactivity, so these age restrictions. In eastern countries, age restrictions are different - here any adaptogens are prohibited for children under 16 years of age. It is believed that the impact on life energy (“qi”) in childhood and adolescence harmful to the body.

What to rely on when treating with lemongrass tincture? The opinion of oriental healers, reviews on the Internet, your own intuition? Unfortunately, in our mental environment, the doctor and his reputation in resolving this important issue are not in the first place.

Schisandra chinensis tincture is a strong tonic and adaptogenic drug. It is taken only as prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication with biostimulants of the nervous system can lead to a number of side effects, complications, drug dependence. The dosage and course of therapy must be strictly observed.

There are many herbs in nature that improve health and prolong youth. One of these unique plants is Schisandra chinensis; its medicinal properties and contraindications have been known to healers for a long time and are recognized by official medicine. How is lemongrass used, what diseases does it help with?

Schisandra chinensis seeds - medicinal properties

Schisandra chinensis (schizandra) – has a bright lemon smell, common in China, Korea, and Sakhalin. Medicinal properties possess all parts of lemongrass - fruits, roots, shoots. The berries contain yellow seeds, which are used in folk medicine to treat various diseases.

Benefits of lemongrass seeds:

have anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties, effectively help with bronchitis and tuberculosis;
improve the functioning of the digestive system, they are recommended for use for gastritis and ulcers;
contain iron in large quantities - help with anemia and increased fatigue;
improve the condition of liver and kidney diseases.

Important! With regular intake of seed powder, vision improves, inflammatory diseases eye. This remedy is recommended for all people who have to work at a computer for a long time.

Schisandra fruits - medicinal properties

Schisandra fruits contain a unique substance - lignans, which can resist cancerous tumors. Sweet and sour berries improve the functioning of the nervous system, strengthen the body's protective functions, increase tone, and slow down the aging process. Berries contain ascorbic acid, vitamin A, E. The composition contains useful microelements and organic acids.

What are the benefits of schizandra fruits:

help with nervous exhaustion;
cleanse and restore liver cells;
prevent the growth of malignant tumors;
normalize hormonal levels;
increase performance.

Schisandra berries are contraindicated for hypertension, exacerbation of infectious diseases, high intracranial pressure, and epilepsy.

Important! Schisandra can be taken only for hypotonic type of vegetative-vascular dystonia.

In cooking, fresh or dried lemongrass fruits are used to make compotes, fruit drinks, jams. Some confectionery factories add these fragrant fruits to sweets and marmalade.

Important! Lemongrass is a useful indoor plant that perfectly cleans the air from dust and pathogenic microorganisms.

The root bark contains the maximum amount of essential oil, which helps with hypotension, pediculosis, varicose veins, and chronic fatigue. Root-based preparations are used to treat caries, inflammatory processes mucous membranes of the oral cavity, improving brain activity.

Beneficial properties of preparations from Schisandra roots:

natural antiseptic, immunomodulator;
effectively fights viruses, microbes, fungi;
accelerates the processes of regeneration and wound healing;
normalize sleep, eliminate nervous overexcitation.

Important! Schisandra leaves contain essential oils, they effectively help with dysentery in children, improve the condition of the gums, and prevent the development of vitamin C deficiency.

Schisandra tincture - medicinal properties

Tincture of lemongrass fruits is a natural energy drink. The maximum invigorating effect occurs half an hour after application and lasts up to 6 hours.

Important! Schisandra has a gentle effect on cells, unlike other energy drinks, and does not deplete the nervous system.

When taken regularly, the body accumulates useful substances, reduces the risk of malignant tumors, improves the functioning of the digestive, immune and genitourinary system, blood sugar levels are normalized. The tincture helps to quickly eliminate diarrhea; it is used to treat liver diseases and as a prophylactic against colds.

Indications for taking the tincture:

stress, depression, chronic insomnia;
loss of strength, apathy;
deterioration of skeletal muscle function;
gynecological pathologies – painful menstruation, decreased uterine tone;
respiratory diseases of varying severity - tuberculosis, asthma, Chronical bronchitis, pneumonia;
heart failure, poor vascular condition;
impotence, decreased libido.

Externally, the tincture is used to treat psoriasis, alopecia, the product has a rejuvenating effect. The medicine also helps with ulcers, eczema, long-healing wounds, and fights hangover syndrome well.

Contraindications – pathologies of a neurological nature, chronic kidney and liver diseases, cardiac dysfunction, pregnancy, breastfeeding.

The tincture can be purchased at a pharmacy or prepared at home. It is necessary to put 100 g of fruits in an opaque glass container, pour in 500 ml of high-quality vodka, leave for 10 days, filter.

For external use, you need to take 100 g of berries, cut each into 4 parts, remove the seeds, dry, and grind into powder. Mix the raw materials with 100 ml of alcohol, put them in a dark room for 3 weeks, do not strain.

How to use the tincture? You need to take the medicine 1-3 times a day, 20-35 drops before meals or 2.5-3.5 hours after meals. To avoid insomnia, the last dose of medication should be 5 hours before going to bed. Duration of therapy is 4 weeks.

In folk medicine, all parts of the plant are used, teas, infusions, decoctions are prepared from them, and juice is prepared for the winter.

How to brew lemongrass? Fruits, roots, and shoots of the plant are suitable for brewing. It is necessary to grind 15 g of raw material, pour 1 liter of boiling water, leave in a closed container for 5 minutes. This drink can be used for weight loss - it increases energy expenditure, enhances the effect of diets, normalizes cholesterol levels, and cleanses the human body of toxic waste.

Tea made from the fruit is an excellent remedy for the treatment and prevention of seasonal respiratory diseases. It strengthens the immune system, has a mild diuretic and antipyretic effect. How to brew correctly healthy drink? Pour 270 ml of water into 12 g of crushed fruits, simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, leave for half an hour, strain. Drink the entire serving of tea at once, or take small sips throughout the day.

Important! Schisandra tea helps cope with toxicosis during pregnancy.

The decoction helps with nervous diseases, stomach problems, and improves the functioning of the heart muscle. The medicine is used to stimulate labor, normalize blood pressure, and reduce blood sugar concentrations.

Pour 220 ml of boiling water over 10 dried fruits and leave in a water bath for a quarter of an hour.
Strain, take 25-30 drops in the morning before breakfast and an hour before lunch.

Chinese lemongrass juice helps cope with vitamin deficiency, loss of strength, blues and depression. It is necessary to chop fresh berries, squeeze out the juice, and pour it into sterilized containers. Pasteurize the jars for a quarter of an hour, seal them tightly, and after cooling, you can put them in the refrigerator. The drink can be taken on its own, or added 5 ml to tea.

Schizandra is used in home and professional cosmetology; anti-aging products and preparations for strengthening hair are prepared on its basis.