In the ever-expanding world of functional foods, Scisandra Berry has emerged as a powerful ingredient that is rapidly becoming commonplace in premium supplements and food products. Schisandra Chinensis, also referred to as Omija Berry or the "five-flavor fruit,” has long been a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine for almost 2000 years, and features a distinct taste profile with unexpected benefits.
In this brief, we'll not only go into the history and benefits of Schisandra Berry, but also tell you how to best include it in your routine, since the raw berry is not even available in the US and requires sustained usage to experience its full range of benefits.
The History of Schisandra Berry:
Schisandra Chinensis, native to the forests of Northern China and the Russian Far East, is a deciduous woody vine whose bright red berries have been utilized for millennia in Traditional Chinese Medicine to promote overall health and vitality. Recorded use dates back to the Tang dynasty (618~907 A.D.) where in The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica listed Schisandra Berries as a Superior Herb, purported to “prolong the years of life without aging,” and was used to improve vitality (qi), treat fatigue, act as a male sexual tonic, and even treat asthma.
Though Schisandra is believed to benefit all functions of the body, it was traditionally considered to have the most influence on the kidneys, lungs and liver. Schisandra Berries were frequently pictured in ancient Chinese artwork as the symbol of longevity and beauty, depicting the ability to attain immortality. In the present day, Schisandra Chinensis is included in the official pharmacopeias of China, Japan, Korea, and Russia.
The Benefits of Schisandra Berry:
As an adaptogen, Schisandra Berry helps the body cope with stress and maintain homeostasis. Its active compound, schizandrin, has been extensively studied in Asia and found to offer various health benefits, including:
- Liver Support: Animal studies have shown that Schisandra Berry enhances liver function through healthy glutathione responses, an essential antioxidant for detoxifying the liver and protecting it from damage.
- Skin Protection: Schisandra Berry has been used to enhance skin receptor sensitivity, treat early stages of skin rashes and allergic skin reactions.
- Adrenal and Endocrine Support: Studies suggest that Schisandra Berry helps healthy hormone balance, therefore positively impacting mood, the ability to deal with stress, and overall mental well-being.
- Enhanced Stamina and Endurance: Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners used Schisandra Berry to improve physical performance and endurance, which has been supported by modern research conducted in Russia.
- Immune System Support: Schisandra Berry is believed to have immune-boosting properties that maintain overall health, likely due to the lignans that constitute the main secondary metabolites of the plant.
- Cognitive Function: Schisandra Berry seems to enhance memory, focus, and cognitive function, probably from its antioxidant properties that protect brain and other organs.
How do we use Schisandra Berry? We Cold-Brew It
Access to whole, fresh Schisandra Berries is currently not feasible in the US. There are very few producers cultivating the berry in remote parts of Northern China, but none have a reliable cold distribution chain. Russia is a producer of the raw berry but we cannot buy from them in the United States for geopolitical reasons.
So the way we use Schisandra Berry in our juices is by cold-steeping the air-dried berries in purified water. Each time we make our Chill Pill, the Schisandra Berries steep for 36 hours before the brew is mixed with pineapple, lemon, and the rest of the ingredients. This extraction process captures the majority of the berry's health-promoting compounds while taming its naturally bitter and pungent flavors.
How to Incorporate Schisandra Berry into Your Daily Routine:
Despite its less-than-pleasant taste on its own, incorporating Schisandra Berry into your routine is simple:
- Drink it in juices or smoothies: Chill Pill, one of our best sellers, has roughly 2 ounces worth of Schisandra Berries per bottle. You can find dried Schisandra berries or its various extracts online. Blend a small handful up in your smoothie.
- Tea: Steep dried Schisandra Berries in hot water for at least 5-10 minutes to make a relaxing tea at night. Make sure you have some lemon and honey to drink it with! We like to steep ours with chamomile since they both have similar effects and steeping times.
- Supplement: Definitely the least fun way to take it, but also the easiest to find and most prevalent. These are pretty easy to find on Amazon.
Conclusion:
With a long history in Traditional Chinese Medicine and growing scientific research supporting its potential health benefits, Schisandra Berry is one of those adaptogens that has become too tough to ignore and definitely worth incorporating into your wellness routine.
