Northern Schisandra Fruit Classic Formulas

Primary Actions

Restrains the Lung and stops chronic cough or wheezing - Bei Wu Wei Zi is used when leakage of Lung qi causes prolonged cough, wheezing, or weak grasp of breath.
Generates fluids and checks leakage - it is used for spontaneous sweating, night sweats, thirst, dry mouth, and fluid loss after chronic illness or summer-heat damage.
Binds the intestines and secures essence - chronic diarrhea and essence leakage patterns are classic indications when deficiency underlies leakage.
Calms the Heart and tonifies the Kidney - it also appears in formulas for palpitations, insomnia, and Heart-Kidney disharmony.

Sheng Mai San - classic three-herb formula using Bei Wu Wei Zi to restrain leakage of qi and fluids while supporting the Heart and Lung.
Xiao Qing Long Tang - uses Wu Wei Zi to prevent over-dispersion while cough, wheezing, and cold-phlegm are treated.
Si Shen Wan and similar deficiency-leakage lineages use Wu Wei Zi to bind the intestines and secure chronic diarrhea.

Traditional Fructus Schisandrae materia medica notes that Schisandra chinensis is the northern source, Bei Wu Wei Zi, and is preferred over the southern species for standard medicinal use.
Classical descriptions emphasize the five flavors, warm nature, and entry into the Lung, Heart, and Kidney to astringe, generate fluids, calm the spirit, and secure essence.