Abstract: Wu-Wei-Tzu, the fruit of Schizandra chinensis Baill., is one of the most important indigenous Chinese drugs used as a tonic. The botanical origin of this drug and the statements in the ancient herbals and related classicals are discussed together with a brief review of the pharmacological and chemical studies of this drug. The authors made an attempt to explain the ecology and distribution of Schizandra chinensis in North eastern China and a detailed pharmacognostical study of the whole plant together with 16 figures and plaes of illustration.