The source is from the ripe fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Tuecz.) Bail. And S. Sphenanthera Rehd. Et Wils., family Magnoliaceae. The former is called Beiwuweizi, mainly produced in the Northeast, Hebei and Shanxi provinces of China. The latter is called Nanwuweizi, mainly produced in the Southwest China and the south areas to the Yangtze River. The medicinal material is collected in autumn when the fruits are ripe and dried in the sun. The raw form can be used, or used after the fruit steamed with vinegar and honey and dried in the sun for medication.

Medicinal Properties: Sour in flavor, warm in nature, and attributive to the lung, heart and kidney meridians.

Actions: Astringe the lung to treat cough and asthma and nourish the kidney, promote the production of body fluid and constrain perspiration, astringe the essence and stop diarrhea, nourish the heart and calm the mind.

 

Application
1. It is used for chronic cough and dyspnea resulting from asthenia. In treating chronic cough due to deficiency of the lung, it is used in combination with Wumei (Fructus Mume ) and Yingsuke ( Pericarpium Papaveris ), such as Wuweizi Wan (Pill). For syndrome of kidney deficiency manifested as dyspnea and shortness of breath, it can be used in Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Pill). It can also be used in Duqi Wan (Pill) which can invigorate the kidney for improving inspiration and astringe the lung to treat cough and asthma. In treating cough and dyspnea caused by lung cold, it should be used together with pungent-warm Chinese medicinal herbs such as Xixin (Herba Asari) and Ganjiang ( Rhizoma Zingiberis ) functioning in dispersing, such as in Xiao Qinglong Tang (Decoction).

2. It is used for thirst due to consumption of the body fluids, spontaneous perspiration and night sweat. In treating damage of qi and yin due to excessive heat manifested as palpitation, feeble pulse, thirst and hyperhidrosis, it is often used in combination with Renshen (Radix Ginseng) and Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis), such as in Shengmai San (Powder), it can also be used together with Huangqi (Radix Astragali ) , Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae ), Maimendong ( Radix Ophiopogonis ), and Tianhuafen (Radix Trichosanthis), etc. for diabetes with frequent drink and polyuria, such as Huangqi Tang (Decoction). In treating incessant sweating due to deficienfy, it is often used in combination with Baiziren ( Semen  Biotae ),  Renshen  ( Radix  Ginseng ), Mahuanggen (Radix Ephedrae), and Mull (Concha Ostreae), etc., such as Baiziren Wan (Pill).

3. The medicinal herb is indicated for emission, spermatorrhea and chronic diarrhea. It can be used alone to treat emission and spermatorrhea due to kidney-deficiency, or combined with Sangpiaoxiao (Ootheca Manti-dis) and Longgu (Os Draconis). In treating deficiency and cold of the spleen and kidney with diarrhea at dawn, it is often used together with Buguzhi (Fructus Psorateae), Wuzhuyu ( Fructus Evodiae ), Roudoukou ( Semen Myristicae), such as Sishen Wan (Pill).

4. For insufficiency of heart-blood and kidney-yin manifested as vexation, palpitation, insomnia and frequent dreaminess, it can be used in combination with Shengdihuang (Radix Rehmanniae), Maimendong (Radix Ophiopogonis ), Danshen ( Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae ) , Suanzaoren ( Semen Ziziphi Spinosae ) , such as Tianwang Buxin Dan (Bolus).
In addition, its powder preparation is used for chronic hepatitis with elevation of serum transaminase.

Usage and Dosage:
2 -6 g is used in decoction for oral use or 1 -3 g of its powder is taken orally.

Note:
It is contraindicated in those with exopathogenic factors which have not been eliminated, sthenic heat in the interior, cough and measles at the initial stage.