5 Amazing Schizandra Health Benefits, Uses and Recipes
Schizandra is a berry also known as Chinese Magnolia Vine, Gomishi, Lemonwood, Northern Magnolia Vine, Omija, Omija Cha, Repnihat, Matsbouza, Wuweizi. In China, is known as the ‘Five Taste Fruit’. It contains all five flavours—sweet, bitter, pungent, sour, and salty. Schizandra health benefits are numerous and its medicinal preparations are used for overall vitality and longevity.
For those who have tried, for many Chinese medicine practitioners, and herbalists, schizandra is held in a place of great joy and reverence. Many people report amazing Schizandra health benefits, even only after the first day of use.
Actually, its potent benefits and qualities are widespread, so it’s not surprising that it is called, ‘the herb that does it all’. It is said that the true magic and schizandra health benefits will be shown after 100 days of use. Schizandra health benefits often result in clear eyes, vibrant skin and hair, increased sexual stamina and mental clarity.
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Schizandra Health Benefits
This berry possesses significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. Also, it demonstrates significant adaptogenic activity.
- Cleanses the blood and maintains it clean
- Promotes beautiful hair, skin, and eyes
- Increases clarity and mental stamina
- Decreases fatigue, enhances physical performance and promotes endurance.
- Improves potency and sex drive for men and women
- Increases blood flow for women and men
- Protects liver and improves digestion
- Helps skin to adapt to environmental stress and hold its moisture
How does Schizandra work?
Boosts Immunity and Lowers Inflammation
Schizandra provides nutrients and cleanses the blood.
Thanks to its high content of antioxidant compounds, schizandra lowers inflammatory responses and helps fight free radical damage — which are at the root of modern diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Due to its ability to fight inflammation and positively affect the immune system, schizandra prevents diabetes, balances blood sugar, helps stall the development of atherosclerosis and brings the body into an optimal acid-base balance.
It also helps control the release of leukocytes and improves the ability to repair tissue, positively impacts platelet-activating factors, bone formation, oxygen consumption, metabolism, and the tolerance of toxin exposure.
You can take schizandra on a daily basis as a maintenance strategy for protection of thousands of chemicals we are exposed to every day and to safely detox the blood.
Schizandra berry immune-boosting abilities are far-reaching. It boosts antioxidant activity, helps increase enzyme production, improves digestion, circulation, and the ability to remove waste from the body. Liver health is closely tied to stronger immunity, therefore schizandra has been found to be protective against indigestion, various gastrointestinal disorders, and infections.
When it comes to cancer prevention, schizandra contains active lignans that have chemo-protective abilities, especially one called schisandrin A. (1)
Protects Liver
Dozens of studies reveal the efficiency of schizandra in acute gastrointestinal diseases, chronic gastritis, gastric hyper- and hypo-secretion, stomach ulcers, and healing pneumonia, reducing allergic reactions, cleansing the liver, and preventing developmental problems in pregnant women. Some studies also reveal it’s helpful for treating chronic hepatitis. (2) (3)
A study published in the International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics shows that since schizandra increases production of a compound called Tacrolimus (Tac), it can benefit patients following a liver transplant. Tacrolimus (Tac) actually prevents the body’s rejection of a new liver following liver transplantation. (4)
Helps with Healthy Sexual Function
A large majority of Asian sexual tonic formulations use schizandra. It is ‘an ideal herb for intimate relationships.’
Research shows that schizandra is beneficial for hormonal health and fertility, positively affecting the reproductive organs, preventing sexual dysfunction like impotence and helping promote a strong libido.
It is also useful for preventing diseases like osteoporosis. This is because it positively impacts hormone production, including estrogen, so it helps in forming bone mineral density and helps with bone healing. (5)
Improves Mental Performance
One of the oldest uses for schizandra is raising energy levels and promoting mental clarity. Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine have used it, for over 2.000 years, to naturally improve mental capabilities and promote better memory, sharper concentration, and increased motivation.
Schizandra works oppositely than the caffeine. It fights off fatigue and makes you feel calmer. (6)
Studies also show a link between use of schizandra and protection against psychiatric and neurological disorders, including anxiety, depression, neurosis, alcoholism, schizophrenia, and even Alzheimer’s. (7)
Protects the Skin
As a natural beauty tonic schizandra protects the skin from sun exposure, wind, dermatitis, allergic reactions, toxin accumulation and environmental stress. Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, Schisandra chinensis is widely used to treat skin diseases.
How to Use Schizandra
Traditional methods of using schizandra berry include:
- Eating the powdered schizandra fruit or extract: you can consume up to 3 grams a day safely.
- Create a tincture by mixing the dried fruit extract in 95% ethanol. Take one part of pure extract and six parts of liquid. You can also find already prepared extract/tincture. Take 20-30 drops daily.
- Schizandra capsules/pills: Look for supplements in health food stores or online. Take 1 – 3 grams daily, with meals.
- Schizandra teas, wine or tonic: Look for brewed schizandra teas or wines. Also, you can make your own by steeping up to 3 grams in hot water for 45–60 minutes before drinking. Add other supportive herbs, including cinnamon, ginger, turmeric or licorice root.
Schizandra Berry Tea Recipe
1 Tbsp Schizandra Extract
1 cup hot water
Simply mix and enjoy.
Schizandra Goji Tea
1 part schizandra berry
4 parts goji berry
Simmer lightly for 10 minutes
Steep it 1 hour and enjoy this ancient classic.
Schisandra Berry Tea Recipe #2
2 Tbsp Schisandra Berries
2 Tbsp Elderberries (optional)
5-6 inch knob of peeled and coarsely chopped ginger
6 small pieces of licorice root
A palmful of dried eleuthero
1-2 cinnamon sticks
1-2 Tbsp of dried green stevia leaves
Mix everything in a saucepan (except for the stevia) and cover with 4 cups of water. Simmer lightly for 10 minutes and steep it for 1 hour.
DISCLAIMER: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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This article appeared first at Health Tips Now and appears here with permission. Like on Facebook!
