Schizandra Berries

Schizandra berries are known in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as We Wei Zi - “the fruit of five tastes”, so when I came across my first Schizandra berry, I had to give it a try. It is true to its name - salty, bitter, sweet, sour, and spicy, all in one. At first, they didn’t taste like something I’d like to drink, so I put them aside until I read about their medicinal qualities from Medical Medium. When he mentioned that they improve athletic performance, I decided to give it a second try and was happy with the results.

Schizandra is a climbing vine native to northeastern China and eastern Russia. The berries are a bright red when ripe, and a dark purple once dried.

Schizandra is an adaptogen, commonly used in TCM and Ayurvedic medicine. Adaptogens help the body manage mental, emotional, and physical stress by balancing stress hormones and normalizing organ functions, while also supporting the immune system. This helps to create a more resilient endocrine, immune, and central nervous system.

Schisandra berries help to sharpen mental focus, enhance memory skills, and increase clarity and concentration. The berries are particularly good for adrenal fatigue, heart disease, cardiovascular issues, autoimmune disorders, macular degeneration, neurological disorders, and for keeping blood sugar stable and well-balanced.

Schizandra berries contain both glutathione peroxidase and gomison-A which are compounds that are highly beneficial for the liver and can help prevent liver inflammation and tissue destruction. This is particularly helpful for anyone dealing with hepatitis, jaundice, HIV/AIDS, and other viral conditions.

In TCM schizandra is often used to soothe respiratory illnesses such as chronic coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, COPD, and respiratory infections, but as I mentioned, what really caught my attention was schizandra’s ability to “help increase physical endurance and stamina. Schizandra berries are also revered around the world for their ability to provide a clear and glowing complexion that defies the aging process.”

Schizandra can be found as a tincture (purchase only alcohol-free tinctures), capsule, or tea. Personally, I prefer schizandra berries infused with water, thyme or satureja thymbra, and a bit of honey - simply place a handful of berries and some raw honey in several cups of water to seep overnight, and sip throughout the day. This is a very hydrating beverage that provides not only all of the benefits of schizandra berries but the healing qualities of thyme/satureja, and high-quality honey as well.