Extracts from the fruits (seeds) of Schisandra chinensis L. and pure isolated substances are one of the components of medicinal preparations designed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, diseases of the CNS related to the old age, as a supplement in the treatment of neoplasms, diabetes, etc. They are also used for the production of nutraceuticals (soft drinks and health foods), preparations for oral hygiene and for the care for the slon and hair. The review discusses complex analytickl methods used for the determination of the content of substances and the phenomena of population ecology in relation with drog production.

        Key words: Schisandra chinensis - lignans of dibenzo[a,c]cyclooctadiene type - dr~g production - analytickl methods -population ecology-medicinal preparations - nutraceuticals