SCHIZANDRA BERRIES Schizandra chinensis "Wu Wei Tsu"
Once only available to wealthy Chinese aristocrats and royalty, the whole berries of the Schizandra vine are a powerful adaptogen, increasing the body’s resistance to all kinds of stress and disease. The Chinese have long considered it a superior sexual tonic, as it is known to relieve sexual fatigue, sensitize women’s sexual experience and increase the staying power of men. Contains abundant antihepatotoxic lignans known as asgomisins to the Japanese and wuweizisus to the Chinese. Clinical studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of Schizandra in protecting and even regenerating liver cells. Recommended for alcoholism. Aids digestion by regulating gastric acid release and is showing promise as a safe antidepressant. Continued use is said to purify the blood, build stamina, brighten the mind and produce radiant skin. These are currant-like berries which amazingly have 5 distinct flavors—sweet, salty, sour, pungent and bitter. Chewing the berries is enjoyable and unique, each flavor is experienced individually and then all at once in a deluge of taste sensation. Traditional knowledge recommends reducing their high tannin content prior to use by soaking the berries for several hours then discarding the water. An excellent traditional Chinese preparation is made by boiling them in wine. A delicious sun tea can be made by steeping them in the sun in a jar, with leafy herbs and sweetener.