SHISANDRA FRUIT – CAN IT HELP MY HEALTH?

Schisandra…

Oh my goodness…how could I have forgotten about this amazing berry!!! …by Juanita Shield-Laignel MFHT

Recently a friend asked for help to identify which supplements might help improve her natural wellbeing and always being an advocate for nature’s own apothecary, I was delighted to oblige.

We quickly identi ed she could use some help with her nervous system and a simple B-complex would make all the difference to that, but her glandular system was holding it’s hand up for help too. I immediately started sorting through my memory for the best solution but the usual stalwarts of ginseng, liquorice root, dong quai, kelp, uva ursi and others that have come under my close scrutiny over the years, just weren’t sitting comfortably; I knew there was something else.

I decided to use my go-to sources of herbal and supplementation knowledge and quickly looked down the list of well-known nutrients, herbs and palnts that have shown to help the glandular / hormonal system and Schisandra leapt out at me.

What Is It?

Schisandra, (Schisandra chinensis) also called Schizandra and the Magnolia Vine or most commonly “the ve avoured berry”, is a hardy perennial that produces fragrant owers and as its common name suggests, complex avoured berries that are also well known as an ‘adaptogen’ or herbal / plant pharmaceutical. Native to Asia and North America, it will grow in most cool temperate climates and as such has been no stranger to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for thousands of years where is regarded as a medicinal berry with multiple healing properties.

Historically Schisandra sits comfortably on the herbal shelf with other ancients such as, goji berries, Reishi mushrooms and ginseng root, now all commonly used and understood and not just by Taoist masters employed by Chinese emperors. In 1960 it was discovered, well documented and even of cially published that it helps ght adrenal fatigue, heart problems and the negative effects of stress, improves liver function, and impacts nearly every organ and system within the body and as such it has dozens of uses and bene ts especially strong antioxidant activity.

Other bene ts also include but are not exclusive to: acting like a brain tonic (improving focus, concentration, memory and general mental energy), improving digestion and gut microbiome, reducing allergic reactions, balances blood sugar, protective against infections, helps increase enzyme production, helps ght free radical damage and lowers in ammatory responses, supports hormonal balance and nourishes the skin.

In short I am so pleased I have rediscovered this amazing berry and all it does, not only will I be recommending it to my friend but it will now be rmly on my own daily supplement list.

How to Use

Traditionally Schisandra has been imbibed as a tea, but these days we can nd it as an encapsulated supplement or in powdered form. Unlike some herbs or supplements, it has been shown to be safe to take it long term and in fact, there seems to be a general school of thought that being a natural adaptogen, the effects are cumulative.

QUESTION?

Want to have more energy, better digestion and skin that’s resilient to the signs of aging? Then you’ll want to learn about Schisandra