A woody perennial vine with deciduous leaves and a stem 10-15 m in length (1.2-1.5 cm in diameter) known to wind around the trunks of trees. The attractive leaves are alternate, cuspidate, and elliptic and wedge shaped at the base. Flowers are dioecious; white, yellow or reddish in colour. Fruits measure 5-7 cm when ripe; more smaller and browner than Schisandra Chinensis and hard yellow seeds 3.5 mm wide and 4.5 mm long.

Antitussive, aphrodisiac, hepatic, astringent, cardiotonic, cholagogue, expectorant, hypotensive, lenitive, nervine, pectoral, sedative, stimulant and tonic (fruit); antirheumatic (plant); anticancer (seed)

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The fruit is taken internally in the treatment of dry coughs, asthma, night sweats, urinary disorders, involuntary ejaculation, chronic diarrhoea, palpitations, insomnia, poor memory, hyperacidity, hepatitis and diabetes. Externally, it is used to treat irritating and allergic skin conditions. A mucilaginous decoction obtained from the branches is useful in the treatment of coughs, dysentery and gonorrhoea. It is an excellent tonic and restorative, helping in stressful times and increasing zest for life. It is considered to be a substitute for ginseng and is said to be a tonic for both the male and the female sex organs.

Not to be used in patients with Excess Heat in the Interior. Not to be used at the beginning of a cough and at the onset of measles.

Jing-Nuan Wu. An Illustrated Chinese Materia Medica. P: 574, Oxford University Press, Inc.2005.