Organic Schisandra Berries
Schisandra chinensis
You might need Schisandra berries if . . .
Are you struggling to remember things, or do you have brain fog? Do you often feel stressed? Do you feel fatigued often and wish you had more energy? Are you going through menopause or experiencing a big hormonal shift? Or maybe you are looking to enhance your physical endurance. If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a little help from the adaptogenic herb schisandra may be just what you need.
Schisandra berries may be a great choice if:
- Struggle with memory or brain fog
- Experience menopausal symptoms
- Have high cortisol levels
- Need relief from racing thoughts
- Need extra liver support
- Want to enhance physical endurance
- Often feel fatigued
Benefits of Schisandra
The great thing about adaptogens, including schisandra berries, is that they are total powerhouses for your whole body. They can stimulate the body’s resistance to environmental, physical, and emotional stressors. Schisandra has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years for its supportive effects on energy and overall well-being.
Supports brain function: One of the leading causes of brain fog is overworked adrenal glands. Schisandra helps take stress off the adrenal glands, which in turn promotes mental clarity and sharpness. It also enhances blood flow to the brain, resulting in increased energy and alertness.
Improves mood: Since schisandra is an adaptogen, it helps the body naturally cope with stress without feeling overwhelmed, and can also help alleviate irritability.
Supports hormone regulation and promotes sexual health: Schisandra can help regulate hormones by supporting the three major hormone-producing organs in the body: the adrenal glands, liver, and brain. Because of this, it is great at reducing cortisol, the body’s stress hormone, and it also helps regulate estrogen, making it a great ally during menopause. Schisandra improves libido and also helps improve circulation, which can increase blood flow to reproductive organs in both men and women.
Regulates energy and enhances physical endurance: Schisandra can help improve energy levels and physical endurance by enhancing mitochondrial function, which in turn enables the body to produce more ATP, the primary source of energy within the body. It also helps regulate cortisol and support the adrenal glands. Schisandra can also help deliver more oxygen to cells and improve circulation, enabling the muscles to function more efficiently during exercise.
Helps detoxify the body: Schisandra is a great ally for the liver, the body's largest detox organ. It supports the liver's detox pathways and helps break down toxins and excess hormones more efficiently.
Anti-inflammatory: Schisandra supports the body’s natural, healthy anti-inflammatory response, reducing inflammation throughout the body. It is also a source of antioxidants, which help protect cells from free radical damage, thus reducing inflammation.
Common Ways to Use Schisandra
Tea: You can make a simple herbal tea with schisandra berries by steeping 1 tbsp of dried schisandra berries in 16 oz of boiling water for 20-30 minutes. You can sweeten it with raw honey to taste.
Tincture: Schisandra berry is also consumed in tincture form. You can readily find them at health stores or online. They are also quite simple to make, although it takes approximately a month for the tincture to be ready for use. Find out how to make your own tincture here.
Capsules: Another popular way to consume schisandra berries is in capsule form. You can find capsules online or at health stores. You can also make your own at home. You will need schisandra berry powder and a capsule filler machine.
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Growing and Foraging Information
Schisandra berries are native to the continent of Asia and some parts of North America. It is rare to find them growing in the wild in the United States, but there’s a few places you can find them -- North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Arkansas, and Louisiana. You’ll find them growing in these states along undisturbed riverbeds. And though you can buy dried schisandra berries online, you can also grow your own at home.
Schisandra berries, otherwise known as magnolia vine, do best in US hardiness zones 4-7. Unlike many other berries, they do not grow on a bush-- Schisandra berries grow on a climbing vine, so if you’re planting them in your garden, they will need a trellis or other support system. It is fairly easy to grow and does not like bright sunlight—it prefers partial sun to deep shade. They are not drought-tolerant, so they require regular watering and well-draining soil. They also love acidic soil, so planting them in a bed with a layer of pine leaves or oak leaves on top of the soil.
Safety Concerns
Schisandra berries are one of the 50 fundamental plants in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Its first use as a medicine dates back over 2000 years.
It is important to consider safety concerns in the context of history. You must also realize that many departments that raise safety concerns are responsible for managing pharmaceutical drugs manufactured in recent years. In the United States, there is no controlling authority or regulatory board specific to herbs. The most common reason you will see these organizations raise questions about the safety of various herbs is “insufficient evidence to determine safety.” Since there is no way to patent a naturally growing plant, there is often insufficient funding to conduct massive human studies.
Drug Interaction: If you have any health concerns or are taking any prescription medication, please consult with your healthcare provider before adding new herbs to your diet. On page 133 of the Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, the only cautions they mention are that large doses can cause heartburn, interact with some medicines, and take only with professional advice if taking prescription medication.
Breastfeeding and Pregnancy: There is a theoretical risk that schisandra berries, when taken in large quantities, could cause uterine contractions.
Select Studies About Schisandra
Research of schisandra berries for heart health
This study is based on research into lignans in schisandra berries and their role in protecting the heart through their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
A study on how schisandra impacts brain health
This study examines the potential protective effects of active compounds in schisandra berries on the brain and nervous system.
S. chinensis, a plant from China, contains a variety of compounds with health benefits, including potential anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity effects. These compounds, such as lignans, flavonoids, and polysaccharides, have been shown to block cancer cell growth and help regulate blood sugar and fat metabolism. While promising in lab studies, more research is needed to fully understand its effects in the body and its potential as a natural treatment for various health issues.
The results are shown as averages with some variation. To compare the groups, a statistical test was used to see if there were any significant differences. If differences were found, another test helped figure out exactly where they were. For the Morris water maze trials, a different test was used. A result was considered important if it had a less than 5% chance of happening randomly. The analysis was done using SPSS software.