Helps Relieve Adrenal Fatigue and More: 10 Schisandra Berry Benefits

Who knew a berry could be so powerful? Schisandra berry is one of my very favorite remedies because it helps treat and support adrenal function without causing a stimulatory effect. This is just one of the many schisandra berry benefits this herb provides.

Schisandra has a calming, restorative impact while supporting the entire body. These qualities make schisandra an effective remedy to help improve the symptoms of stage 1 adrenal fatigue.

Schisandra berry also blends well with other herbs—in fact, I rarely use it alone.

Read more below about this amazing berry. Plus, learn 10 schisandra berry benefits that may surprise you!

What Is Schisandra?

Native to the forests of northeastern China and eastern Russia, the schisandra plant (Schisandra chinensis) is a climbing vine. It produces the red berries that have been one of many important traditional Chinese medicines for centuries.

Schisandra is known as Wu Wei Zi—which in Chinese means “the fruit of five tastes”—in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This is because schisandra contains all five basic flavors: salty, bitter, sweet, sour, and pungent (spicy). These “tastes” correspond to the five elements of water, fire, wood, metal, and earth in TCM. [1]

Schisandra’s Chinese name also refers to the “Five-Element” theory in TCM. This theory refers to the health benefits to the body’s five visceral organs that the schisandra fruit supports. In TCM, the five visceral organs in the body are the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and spleen. [2, 3] Note that in TCM, these five organs have correspondences to other organs as well as mental and emotional wellness.

Schisandra is one of several adaptogenic herbs. Adaptogens are non-toxic plants that are commonly used in TCM and Ayurvedic medicine because of their ability to help the body manage mental and physical stress. Plus they help support the immune system.

10 Schisandra Berry Benefits [4, 5]

You may be wondering, what is schisandra berry good for? To answer that question,
I’ve listed 10 schisandra berry benefits below that have been proven, or shown promise, in studies.

1. Supports adrenal gland health
2. Fights stress and disease development
3. Aids mental clarity and energy
4. Improves cellular function
5. Can protect from liver damage
6. Provides a calming effect, promoting sleep
7. May reduce blood pressure and cholesterol
8. Fights memory loss and helps brain fog
9. Contains anti-inflammatory properties
10. May help reduce tumor growth

How to Use Schisandra Berry

Schisandra is a great herb to blend in tinctures for insomnia and anxiety. This is helpful to those in stage 1 adrenal fatigue. People in this stage spend a lot of time in “fight-or-flight” mode.

The appropriate schisandra dose depends on the form used. Below is a general guideline. However, it’s important to speak with your doctor first for more personalized instruction. [6] Remember, each person is different—with individual biochemistry, medical concerns, and more. Your healthcare needs to be personalized for your individual needs.

• Dried berries: 1 gram to 15 grams
• Tincture: 2 to 4 milliliters, three times daily
• Schisandra powder: 1.5 to 6 grams
• Schisandra tea: one to three cups of tea once daily
• Capsule: 1.5 grams, once daily

I tend to use schisandra in tincture form. There are also many schisandra supplement blends available on the market in tablet/capsule form.

If you’re wondering how to use schisandra berry powder or dried schisandra berries, blending it into a schisandra berry tea or packing it into an herbal capsule are two simple and effective methods.

You can also make a schisandra syrup as an easy home remedy. Keep reading for instructions on how to make a schisandra berry syrup at home.

Note that you should not use schisandra berry during pregnancy. While in general there seem to be few schisandra side effects in healthy individuals, schisandra may interact with some medications. As always, check with your healthcare practitioner first before you use any new herbs or supplements. [7]

How to Make a Schisandra Berry Syrup

Occasionally, I have been asked, “Can you eat dried schisandra berries?” While technically you can, you may not enjoy the flavor of the berries by themselves!

Making an herbal syrup is a tastier way to enjoy schisandra health benefits. Just follow these basic steps:

1. Boil the dried berries in water.
2. Strain the berries.
3. Add sweetener to the remaining liquid to taste. You can use honey or a 100 percent pure berry juice such as W. Knudsen juices as a sweetener.

You also may want to check out this recipe for schisandra syrup.

Key Takeaways

• The schisandra plant (Schisandra chinensis) is a climbing vine that produces red berries with many health benefits.
• Studies have shown that schisandra berry benefits include helping to provide mental clarity, relieve adrenal fatigue, and promote liver support, among several others.
• Schisandra is available in a variety of forms. These include powder, tea, tinctures, and capsules. You can also make a simple schisandra herbal syrup at home.
• Always check with your healthcare practitioner before you take a new supplement, especially if you are taking other supplements or medications or if you have a medical condition.
• Do not take schisandra if you are pregnant.