What is schisandra?
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a vine whose red berries are used. Its Chinese name, wu wei zi, means "five-flavour berry": it is at once sweet, salty, sour, bitter and pungent, a unique profile symbolising, in Chinese medicine, its action on the whole body. Siberian hunters traditionally carried it to endure long expeditions.
What tradition says
- Traditionally used to support physical endurance and resistance;
- the plant of mental clarity and focus;
- in Chinese medicine it is said to "nourish the five organs".
Dosage and use
The extract is taken as drops diluted in a glass of water, 1 to 2 times a day, preferably in the first part of the day, as a course of at least 3 weeks. See the label for the precise dosage.
What to combine it with?
Schisandra pairs well with rhodiola for intense periods, or with gotu kola for gentle focus.
Precautions
Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women or children without medical advice. Food supplement: not a substitute for a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle.