The difference between southern schisandra and northern schisandra

Chinese herbal medicines such as Schisandra chinensis are divided into northern and southern Schisandra chinensis. Only northern Schisandra chinensis can be used as medicine. Southern Schisandra chinensis has no medicinal value. When you buy Schisandra chinensis, you must learn to identify it. So, what is the difference between southern Schisandra and northern Schisandra? Let's have a simple understanding and knowledge of this issue below. I hope the following points will be of some help to everyone!

Ancient people have always believed that both northern and southern Schisandra chinensis can be used as medicine and are universal, but the two types of Schisandra chinensis in the north and south have their own merits. However, the New Compendium of Materia Medica clearly states that "this medicine has northern and southern divisions. The northern ones are the best and the southern ones cannot be used. Ancient people believed that the north and south had their own merits, which is a mistake."

The northern and southern Schisandra are actually two different plants, and the appearances of the two Schisandra fruits are also quite different.

Schisandra sphenanthera, also known as Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils, is a woody vine plant of the genus Schisandra in the family Schisandraceae. Schisandra chinensis has fragrant flowers in summer and red fruits in autumn. It is an excellent greening plant for plant walls in gardens and ecological parks. Because of the large genetic variation in leaf shape of Schisandra chinensis, it is often mistaken for Schisandra chinensis.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill is a plant of the Magnoliaceae family, also known as Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. The fruit of this plant is the real Schisandra that can be used as medicine. It has the effects of astringency, nourishing Qi and yin, and tonifying the kidney, strengthening yang and calming the mind. It can be used to treat symptoms such as long-term cough, weak asthma, nocturnal emission, bedwetting, frequent urination, long-term diarrhea, night sweats, dryness of body fluids, internal heat and thirst, or palpitations and insomnia.

In the 2000 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra chinensis are listed as two species respectively. Schisandra chinensis only refers to the dried perfect fruit of Schisandra chinensis, while Schisandra chinensis chinensis refers to the dried perfect fruit of Schisandra chinensis in East China.

Characteristics of Schisandra chinensis:

Schisandra chinensis is irregularly spherical or oblate, with a diameter of 5 to 8 mm. The surface is bright red, dark purple or dark red, wrinkled and shiny. Some Schisandra chinensis have a black-red surface or appear "white frost". The flesh of Schisandra chinensis is soft, with 1 to 2 kidney-shaped seeds, a shiny yellow-brown surface, and a thin and brittle seed coat. The flesh of the melon has a slight odor and tastes sour; the seeds have a fragrance when crushed, and taste spicy and a little bitter.

When purchasing Schisandra chinensis, it is best to choose those that are dark purple, large in size, thick in flesh, oil-soluble and glossy.

Characteristics of Schisandra chinensis:

The seeds of Schisandra chinensis are relatively small, with 1 to 2 seeds, which are kidney-shaped, with a reddish brown to dark brown surface, shriveled and wrinkled, and a thin flesh. The pulp is often close to the seeds.

Now everyone should know the difference between the northern and southern Schisandra chinensis. Only the northern Schisandra chinensis can be used as a Chinese herbal medicine. Be careful to distinguish when using Schisandra chinensis in the future.