Schisandra berries are a powerful adaptogenic tonic herb from the Chinese tradition. Schisandra chinensis is a creeping vine with small red berries, native to Northern China. In ancient times, Schisandra was a staple food for hunting and gathering tribes.
The Chinese refer to Schisandra as the "five-flavored fruit" because it tastes sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and salty. In the Chinese system, each of the organs is associated with an element and because Schisandra contains characteristics from all 5 elements, it can work to support and tonify all the organs in the body. It has innumerable uses including its ability to increase your capacity for physical and mental exercise and protect you from environmental stress. Schisandra increases energy by stimulating the central nervous system, but it does so without making you nervous like stimulants such as caffeine do. Conversely, since it’s an adaptogen, it can also calm the nervous system in the face of stress.
Adaptogens are often used as overall wellness tonics. They are beneficial to the whole body. Schisandra is one of the top herbs in all classical Chinese medicine, and it exerts a normalizing effect on the body. In China, it is said to be the most protective of all herbs and plants. It can take you from any extreme state back to balance. Adaptogenic herbs help your body adapt to your particular environment, which allows you to better handle any kind of stressors, whether they are physical, mental, or emotional.
Schisandra is rich in minerals, vitamins, essential oils, and phytochemicals. It is especially popular with athletes since it boosts levels of nitric oxide in the body, fighting fatigue and increasing energy at the cellular level. In some ways it functions similarly to ginseng for this purpose.
Many people take Schisandra for its powerful protective effects on the liver. It has been demonstrated that Schisandra berry can raise glutathione which is an important enzyme for detoxification and mental clarity. The lignans in Schisandra help the liver maintain proper functioning and regeneration and prevent liver damage.
Wu Wei Zi (the Chinese name for Schisandra) has been used with people who suffer from conditions such as anxiety, depression and mood swings for hundreds of years with much success. This amazing berry helps balance fluids in the body and therefore is beneficial to the kidneys and is also a popular beauty tonic for women, making the skin soft and radiant. The antioxidants in Schisandra protect your cells from free radicals and prevent oxidation.
For men, this herb may be beneficial since it has the ability to dilate the blood vessels, helping men achieve erections. Schisandra’s blood vessel dilating properties are good for improving circulation, lowering blood pressure, and improving general heart function as well.
The list of uses for Schisandra is long and that is why it qualifies as one of the top herbs of all time.
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Note: Schisandra should be avoided by persons with peptic ulcers, epilepsy or high blood pressure, or during pregnancy except under medical supervision.