The Schisandra berry is prized in both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and contemporary wellness applications for its many juicy benefits. Bursting with polyphenic compounds called lignans and antioxidants like Vitamins C and E, this berry has long been used as an important beauty and longevity tonic.

Follow along to find out all of the top benefits of Schisandra berry and how this adaptogenic herb could help enhance your health.

What is Schisandra Berry? 

Schisandra chinesis (or five-flavor fruit) is a red berry growing on vines native to the harshest climates of China and is thought to contain five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. In traditional Chinese medicine, each taste is believed to nourish a corresponding organ:

• Sweet for the spleen
• Salty for the kidneys
• Bitter for the heart
• Pungent for the lungs
• Sour for the liver

Revered for centuries as a “beauty berry,” the antioxidant-rich Schisandra fruit contains polyphenic compounds called lignans and antioxidants that benefit health.

Benefits of Schisandra Berry

There are many surprising Schisandra benefits that make it clear why it’s heavily used in herbal medicine. For starters, this antioxidant-rich berry promotes skin and liver health by nourishing from within while repairing the cell and tissue damage that causes signs of aging. This adaptogenic herb can also support cognitive function, adrenal fatigue, and sexual function.

Let’s dive into some of these Schisandra herb benefits even further.

Protects Collagen

The “beauty berry” has long been used in Chinese herbal medicine as an anti-aging tonic to improve skin health, and the secret is in its antioxidant capabilities. The two major lignans found in Schisandra, Deoxyschisandrin (SA) and Schisandrin B (SB), help neutralize free radicals that can damage skin cell DNA and speed indications of aging. Schisandra also contains Vitamins C and E, well known for their skin and collagen-protecting qualities.

Collagen and elastin, two proteins found in your skin, are primarily responsible for helping your skin appear firm and bouncy. With time, we start to lose our natural supply of collagen, causing skin to appear looser and develop more lines. Environmental stressors like UV damage from the sun can further deplete our collagen.

But by scavenging the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which at higher concentrations can damage your skin’s collagen and elastin, research suggests that Schisandra’s antioxidants may protect cells from UVB damage.

If you’re looking to reap the benefits of Schisandra for your skin, you can either take it orally (usually in a supplement like a dried Schisandra powder, pill, extract, or elixir), or topically, in a skin care product like a moisturizing face cream. Full of Emollient Fatty Acids to seal in moisture and help improve the skin’s natural barrier function, Cosmic Cream™ features Schisandra and other adaptogenic herbs for an additional layer of protection.

Loves Your Liver

Schisandra is often associated with liver health. Its lignans, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals have been shown to help lower the risk of liver issues in animal studies. It’s also been shown to nourish the liver by promoting liver cells called hepatocytes and enhance the production of Glutathione, a key antioxidant essential for liver function. For this reason, and because of its ability to help your body react to oxidative stress, Schisandra fruit could be a helpful adaptogen in supporting the immune system.

Mood-Boosting Benefits 

In Chinese herbal medicine and Taoism, Schisandra is known as a Shen tonic herb for the soul. As a true spirit lifter, the dried berries can be used for enhancing a meditation practice. By regulating and reducing stress hormones in the blood, Schisandra fruit works well to mellow and clear the mind.

Schisandra was one of the first herbs studied and classed as adaptogenic during the USSR’s research on plants and how they could impact a soldier’s performance. Adaptogens like Schisandra help your body become more adaptive to stress, helping reduce excess cortisol (a stress hormone) and allowing your system to return to a balanced state of homeostasis.

Brain Power 

Schisandra has been used for centuries in Chinese medicine to help increase concentration, motivation, and memory, and it may have powerful neuroprotective effects. Because Schisandra berry extract boosts nitric oxide, which improves blood flow, it may also help support cognitive function and overall brain health by boosting blood supply to the brain.

A 2017 determined that Schisandrin B, one of the lignans in Schisandra, helped block the formation of excess peptides in the brain that are responsible for forming amyloid plaque. By avoiding plaque buildup in the brain, Schisandra can act as a helpful tonic herb for brain support.

Sexy Berry

Schisandra has long been recognized for its aphrodisiac capabilities. Because of its ability to encourage nitric oxide production (which dilates blood vessels), Schisandra is able to enhance blood flow. This may be a beneficial supplement for increasing libido because of how it encourages blood circulation to the genitals.

And because elevated stress can dampen libido, Schisandra’s ability to ease the impacts of stress and nourish your nervous system makes it a supportive supplement to prime your body and mind for sex.

Physical Performance

This adaptogenic berry is known to boost strength and stamina, making it a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Schisandra helps the body adapt to physical stress by increasing oxygen utilization and energy production within the muscles. It’s also known for its ability to reduce fatigue and improve overall physical resilience, which can lead to improved workout sessions and increased exercise duration.

Takeaways

Incorporating Schisandra powder into your wellness routine can be a natural and gentle way to support several aspects of health. With its antioxidant properties, liver nourishing potential, and stress-busting adaptogenic capacity, Schisandra can be a helpful herb for strengthening your immune system and protecting your skin. As with any adaptogen, it’s a good idea to get your Schisandra supplement from a reputable source and follow the instructions on the packaging. With consistent use, Schisandra can be a beneficial supplement for supporting your overall health and vitality.