Schisandra chinensis (five flavor fruit) is a fruit-bearing vine. It’s purple-red berries are described as having five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. The seeds of the Schisandra berry contain lignansTrusted Source. These are substances which may have beneficial effects on health.
Schisandra isn’t typically used as a food. But it has been used for medicinal purposes throughout Asia and Russia for generations.
In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra is considered beneficial to qi, the life force or energy inherent in all living things. It’s thought to have a positive impact on several meridians, or pathways, in the body, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys.
What are the forms of Schisandra?
Schisandrins A, B, and C are bioactive chemical compounds. They’re extracted from the berries of the Schisandra plant. These may be recommended to you by a medical professional, and can be taken in powdered, pill, or liquid form.
Schisandra can also be purchased as dried whole berries or as juice.
Schisandra is also available as a supplement in multiple forms. These include dried powder, pills, extracts, and elixirs. Supplements typically include a recommended dosage on the packaging for you to follow.
What are the benefits?
Schisandra is used for a wide range of health-related issues. There’s some scientific data from animal and human studies that indicate Schisandra may have a positive effect on several conditions and diseases. These include: