Schisandra Berry – An All in One Tonic, The Five Flavor Fruit Contains All Three Treasures, Nurtures the 5 Elements and Enters All 12 Meridians…aka It Does A Lot!
Schisandra berries, often also spelled schizandra and known in China as Wu Wei Zi, are referred to as the five flavor fruit. It combines all five flavors, salty, sweet, sour, pungent and bitter in one food which is like nothing else on the planet. As taste reflects functionality, just that alone showcases the magical properties of this herb.
We’re happy to announce the highest quality, organic and USA grown Schisandra berry powder available on the market! Compare American-grown to most Chinese Schisandra which is heavily oxidized…
The Ancient Lore of Schisandra
The Divine Farmer’s Classic of the Materia Medica (Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing) lists Schisandra as among the superior herbs, saying that it would “prolong the years of life without aging.”*
As a top anti-aging herb in Chinese medicine, Schisandra chinensis is said to enter into every meridian channel in the body, once again a quite unique claim to fame.*
It works on the five elements: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal supporting a wide range of the body’s systems, though is most known for supporting the liver, brain, kidneys, and lungs.*
And it contains all three treasures; jing, qi, and shen making this one herb a formula unto itself.
Schisandra Benefits According to Science
Before we dive in I should mention that a few human trials have been done. Of these, they appear to be Russian research from the 50’s and 60’s (behind the Iron Curtain) on its adaptogen effects.
Most of the other research comes out of China and primarily focuses on in vivo, using small animals or in vitro, that is within cell cultures.
Much of the research has looked at the many components within Schisandra berries and the benefits of each. Thus, let’s start off with what is inside Schisandra…
Schisandra Lignans, Polysaccharides and More
There are a large number of compounds found within Schisandra berry powder.
One of the most important groups is the lignans (more specifically the dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans).1 These include:
- Deoxyschisandrin
- Gomisin A
- Schisandrin A-C
- γ-Schisandrin
- Schisanthenol
- Schisantherin A and B
- Schisanchinins A–D
- Nicotinoylgomisin
- Schineolignans A–C
- Schinlignins A and B
Many of these go by different names. For instance, Gomisin A has also been listed in the literature as Schisandrol B, Schizandrol B, Wuweizisu B and more. Studies find that Schisandra extract ranges from being 4% to 19% made up of these lignans.
- Triterpenoids including schisanartanins A and B, wuweizilactone acid and wuweizidilactone I.
- Roughly 3% essential oil, which includes ylangene, β-himachalene, α-bergamotene, β-chamigrene and more.
- Polysaccharides of many types.
- Cyanidin-3-O-xylosyl-rutinoside which is thought to give the color.
- Polyphenols include chlorogenic, p-coumaric, p-hydroxybenzoic, protocatechuic, salicylic and syringic acids, gentisic acid.
- Flavonoids include hyperoside, isoquercitrin, rutin and quercetin.
- Phytosterols include stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol.
- Vitamins C and E
- Minerals including calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, boron, zinc, chromium, nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Yes, there’s a lot to this complex fruit, which is why it has so many effects.
Schisandra’s Liver Protective Abilities
The various lignans affect the liver in different ways.
- Gomisin A has been shown to increase liver cells and blood flow to and from the liver.1*
- γ-schisandrin works by increasing the concentration of mitochondrial glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant, as well as raising the concentration of vitamin C in the liver.1*
- Schisandrin B helped to protect against oxidative damage to liver tissues.1,2*
Various compounds within Schisandra extract work to support both Phase 1 and Phase 2 liver detox.1-4* In these phases, the liver converts toxic chemicals into less toxic versions and readies them to be removed from the body.
Part of the protective benefits come through anti-oxidation such as SOD (superoxide dismutase).5*
Schisandra a Real Physical and Mental Adaptogen
The word adaptogen gets thrown around a lot. But Schisandra is one of the few plants that has been studied and shown to fit the original definition of the word, which means something that is generally non-toxic, produces a nonspecific resistance to stress on the cellular level and causes a normalizing effect on body systems.* Other herbs that fit this definition are ginseng, American ginseng, rhodiola rosea and eleuthero.
Schisandra’s benefits as an adaptogen include:
- Increasing physical working capacity.1,6,7*
- A “Stress-Protective” effect that works against heat shock, skin burn, cooling, frostbite, immobilization, swimming under load, aseptic inflammation, irradiation and heavy metal intoxication.6*
- Adaptation across central nervous, sympathetic, endocrine, immune, respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal systems.6*
- Increasing endurance.1,6*
- Increasing the accuracy of movement.6*
- Lowering Cortisol, the “stress hormone”.6*
It’s often thought that adaptogens help you physically. But they help you mentally just as well. This includes:
- Increasing mental working capacity.6,7*
- Increasing alertness and concentration.1*
- Improving memory and learning.1*
- It’s even been said to benefit night vision.*
Specifically, Schisandra’s lignans “are now considered protectants against neuronal cell death and cognitive impairment…In addition, the activity of polysaccharides contained in the fruits of S. chinensis is also studied in this respect. It has been shown that they, too, play an important role by raising the level of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.”1*
Schizandrin C was shown to protect neurons from inflammation.3*
Extracts of Schisandra were shown to protect the brain of mice with amyloid-plaques.8* Schizandrin helped to restore memory in the mice to run a maze.9*
Schisandra and Immunomodulation
There are also a number of effects on the immune system.
A polysaccharide in Schisandra, SCPP11, has been shown to have immunomodulating properties.10* Furthermore, this increased activity in the thymus gland (where your immune cells are “trained”) and enhanced the activity of phagocytes.10*
Gomisin A significantly slowed cell proliferation in the presence of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).1,2*
Both deoxyschisandrin and gomisin N induce apoptosis, that is programmed cell death which keeps unhealthy cells in check. 1*
Schisandra and Skin Health
Schisandra has long been renown in China, especially by women, for its anti-aging and beauty benefits, specifically, for improving skin condition.* It can be used both internally and externally for this.
This appears to be primarily due to its antioxidant and inflammation-modulating properties.* Traditionally, it’s been said to tone, moisturize, heal wounds and narrow dilated blood vessels.* It helps to strengthen the protective barrier of the skin and soothe any irritations.11*
The liver is a huge part of detox. Toxins are released and eliminated through the skin. Therefore, when the liver is functioning properly, the skin will naturally clear up.
There was even an “anti-obesity effect” found in rats, by inhibiting fat cell creation.12*
Highest Quality Schisandra Available…
Every year between August 15th and September 15th in the Massachusetts Connecticut river valley, the floral fragrance of Schisandra berries fills the air with its intoxicating aroma as folks harvest (by hand) this herbal treasure of the North East United States. Our Schisandra is grown on an organic farm in this valley in the State of Massachusetts.
Schisandra shoots enjoying the morning sun.
The incredibly nutrient-rich soil at the Schisandra farm is one of the reasons our Schisandra has such a potent effect and a vibrant energy to it. Better soil always produces a healthier, happier plant which in turn, creates the potential for the plants healing properties to be fully expressed.
Early in the morning, farm hands start the picking process, filling pails full of Schisandra berries that have been allowed to mature to peak ripeness. These berries are then hauled to an outdoor washing area where they are cleaned using ultrapure well water (this water has been tested for chemicals and has been found to be extremely pure with only 40ppm total dissolved solids) and sifted by hand in order to remove any debris.
Berries being hand washed.
After the berries have been thoroughly washed, they are then put into food grade 5-gallon buckets which are immediately shipped and put into a deep freeze state at -5 degrees below 0.
This locks in the freshness and preserves many of the beneficial qualities that are often lost if the berries are left out for extended periods of time or wrapped up in plastic bags and shipped long distances in the heat and humidity in other regions of the world.
The last stage is that we ship the frozen berries to be freeze-dried into its final powdered form.
Freeze-drying is the absolute best way to remove water from the plant material without damaging the nutrients, which results in better flavor and a more colorful appearance. This freeze-drying method naturally concentrates the levels to approximately a 5:1 and makes all the valuable nutrients in the seed material bio-available and absorbable. It also helps lock in the natural color, energetic signatures, and the unique flavor of Schisandra.
Most of the Schisandra berries and powders available on the market are heavily oxidized. This is because the berries do not handle transportation and storage so well in their raw state. While it may still be good, it doesn’t contain all the power that fresh Schisandra berries can deliver.
This process from the nutrient-rich soil to the freeze-drying process yields a Schisandra powder that is unmatched in potency and vibrancy.
Listen to our podcast all about Schisandra with Brandon Amalani.
Take the 100 Day Schisandra Challenge
Ron Teeguarden, a premiere tonic herbalist in the West, said that when he first was introduced to the herbs, his teacher told him to take Schisandra for 100 days straight without fail to transform his life. Schizandra was also the favorite herb of this teacher, Taoist Grand Master Sung Jin Park.
Simply take 1/4 teaspoon (approximately 1 gram) mixed in water or other liquids for 100 days and enjoy all the many wonderful benefits of this single herb. (Note: It doesn’t require 100 days of consumption to feel the benefits.)
30-gram bag = 30 quarter teaspoon doses.
For more intensive dosage use one-quarter to one-half a teaspoon twice a day. (2 to 4 grams total.)
Try taking Schisandra straight, stirring it into hot water for tea, or mixing it into various shakes or smoothies.
It takes five pounds of berries to create one pound of this powerfully concentrated powder and to preserves all five flavors.
Contraindications:
Schisandra should not be used while pregnant, as historically it was used to induce labor. It is also not recommended to use while breastfeeding.
Avoid taking Schisandra when you have a common cold or flu because it has astringent properties that can hold moisture in the body.
Schisandra can be combined with any other herbs.
Watch out for oxidation. Please keep your Schisandra in the package and away from air, light, and heat as much as possible to preserve its freshness.
Fresher Schisandra on the left vs Semi-Oxidized on the right.
831-454-8947 
Lost Empire Herbs
Alfonso Cunanan (verified owner) –
Product meets it Discription very good quality excellent product very excellent
Freddie Berry (verified owner) –
Most excellent the best out there thank you Lost empire keep up the good work.
JONATHAN WEITZ (verified owner) –
I think it helps but am not sure.
Besson Emmanuel (verified owner) –
It gives me life energy
JOSEPH BEAUMIER (verified owner) –
blends good with the other herbs i mix with it
Emma (verified owner) –
I’ve been taking for about ten days. I’ve noticed more energy, been able to stay up later and cut down on caffeine and drinking. I plan to keep taking it and see what kind of results I can get in 2-3 months.
Jasmin (verified owner) –
I bought this to lower my cortisol, relax me, calm me down, make me less nervous, make me less aggressive, make me less angry.
The Schisandra Berry did not increase my energy, but it increased my focus made me calmer, more relaxed, less aggressive, less angry, less nervous, less stressed, but it did NOT lower my cortisol, that’s weird, maybe it did lower my cortisol, I don’t know. Whenever I took the Schisandra Berry powder, it took me longer to fall asleep and I sometimes woke up too early, maybe that’s the reason why my cortisol increased. I did a before and after blood test to see if the Schisandra Berry increases estrogen, if it lowers cortisol, if it increases testosterone levels, if it increases prolactin levels. The Schisandra Berry did NOT increase estrogen, even thought there are phytoestrogens in the Schisandra Berry, but it increased my cortisol in a indirect way as I already explained above and it lowered my testosterone. Maybe I took too much from the Schisandra Berry powder, I don’t know, I took between 2-4 grams. In the future I will only take 1 gram and then I hopefully will be able to fall asleep fast and not wake up too early and not wake up in the night and get a lot of deep sleep and a lot of REM sleep.
Will I buy it again? I don’t know, I have to think about it.
The Schisandra Berry did not increase my prolactin levels, but it slightly increased a liver enzyme called ALAT (GPT) and I saw in the blood test result that this enzyme was a little bit to high, but I don’t know if it’s harmful to my health or not, I will ask my doctor.
it’s said that the Schisandra Berry has a positive on the kidneys, but I did not check my kidneys and adrenal glands, I will buy the Schisandra Berry powder from LHE again soon and then I will take 1 gram daily and see if it will have a positive effect or negative effect on my kidneys and adrenal glands and then I will get my kidneys and adrenal glands checked.
Update:
I decided that I will never buy a Schisandra Berry Supplement again and also NOT the Schisandra Berry that LEH sells, for me it’s not even worth testing it again, because it gave me unwanted side effects when I took it.
Catherine Neuharth (verified owner) –
I am well satisfied with this product. I was not familiar with organic schisandra until I watched a South Korean movie where five berry tea was used for health reasons. I was thrilled to know it was grown and sold right here in the United States. It is good tasting too.
Stephanie Simonton (verified owner) –
Great product. Fast shipping. Will purchase from this company again. Thanks
Michelina (verified owner) –
Very very good quality.
Charles Carpenter (verified owner) –
Great stuff,, but unable to use while I’m one of those who experienced the allergic reaction from it..
Cindy Montgomery (verified owner) –
I ordered this as part of a plan to follow an anti-inflammation diet. I could tell right away when I added this product that my body was responding well to it. Will definitely order again!
Jose Gonzalez (verified owner) –
It’s ok. Could be better
Zubair abdusshaheed (verified owner) –
It’s a great product. I would love to see it in larger bags. Thanks.
Todd Owen (verified owner) –
Top notch product!
Greg N. (verified owner) –
Amazing is the only word for this product.
sylvia anne (verified owner) –
Great schisandra tea…potent and calming at the same time.
Geronimo Williamson (verified owner) –
Delicious productsand healthy.
ethan baker –
good stuff
Kenneth Adams (verified owner) –
Had it before, very good product.
Richard Britton (verified owner) –
Calming effects
Ron –
you guys have potent schisandra. i can feel my libido and jing energy getting stronger and my body getting stronger. schisandra is very good for sports also it makes my skin better. i got it for my dad and he likes it alot. keep up the good work. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chelsea Satterthwaite –
Thank you so much for sharing the kind words & for sharing the product with your Dad. Sharing with your family is one of the highest compliments you could pay us, Ron. I am so glad to hear you are enjoying our Schisandra. It really is a powerhouse berry.
John Black (verified owner) –
Beyond expectations.
j brown (verified owner) –
Great value for the money.I take this herb on daily basis and my energy levels are high.This is true even though I work long hours and am constantly interacting with the public.This is one of my favorite herbs.Also, very easy to take from standpoint of taste and mouth feel.
Sheila Camacho (verified owner) –
Best tasting and freshest schizandra on the market. I add to my water bottle and sip throughout the day : )
Eric Moretti (verified owner) –
This is a great product. It looks and smells very fresh and high quality. I would have given it 5 stars but the price is a little steep for my likings, for only 30 grams. (Just my opinion)
Debora Fearon (verified owner) –
great aroma and taste, I’ll be ordering more!
Al_k87 (verified owner) –
This product is best i wish i had cheaper price
David Rosales (verified owner) –
good taste nice addition to my tea
Barry Walter (verified owner) –
I’ve been on schizandra for about 5 weeks. I notice my energy level is better and according to my acupuncture practitioner the insides of my body are more calm ie adrenals, kidneys as she can tell by the pulses goin up my wrists. I feel more calm and less stressed since being on schizandra and ashwagandha. Great products.
Zachary Rosser (verified owner) –
only a few weeks in, so easy to add to morning smoothie
caseyhencz (verified owner) –
This has to be the best Schisandra on the market today. I’ve been thru the brown powder schisandra with other companies and when you compare theirs to Lost Empire’s, it’s no comparison. I’ve never quite seen a schisandra so colorful and vibrant before. This is absolutely the real deal because you can really taste all 5 flavors which is the main characteristic of the schisandra berry. You pay for what you get and if you want quality, Lost Empire is doing a great job of providing quality products.
Bonita Khmara (verified owner) –
Night time is the right time for a cup of
Schisandra tea
G.E. McCulloh (verified owner) –
This is my favorite. Wish it came in a much bigger bag. Also, I’d put this on an automatic buy if shipping was waived. This is amazing shisandra! Clears the head and body! I swear it detoxes and adds light energy. I drink this every night as a “tea.”
Hoppagriff49a (verified owner) –
This was the first thing I’ve ever gotten from Lost Empire Herbs, at first I was taken aback from the $20 for 30 grams price, however the quality of this schisandra was just in another league from any other schisandra I was able to find online. Just look at the bright, vibrant, red color, versus the dull brown red of all other schisandra available. I ended preferring to get the higher quality stuff and just pay what ever it takes. And so I started returning again and again to lost empire herbs, because even though their prices are very high, you can be 100% guaranteed you are buying some of the highest quality stuff out there. Everything I’ve gotten from Lost Empire Herbs as been of the highest quality.
elisiantime (verified owner) –
This is now an herb I will not be able to do without. I simply put 1/2 teaspoon in hot water with a dab of honey. This herb brightens me after a long day. Everything seems better, clearer, & happier with Schisandra.
Rodney (verified owner) –
I felt the effects almost instantly. The taste was almost unbearable, but the way it made my body feel was amazing. Thanks for this wonderful product.
Carlos (verified owner) –
In love with schisandra! This packs an energetic punch! Would even recommend it as a substitute for coffee. I feel more energy, and have felt much more energetic “flow” through my body. Would recommend it to anyone looking for a whole body treatment, and energy supplement.
Stephen Clarke –
I just got mines Lost Empire Schisandra Berry today from Amazon. I cannot comment much on benefits as of yet but what I can say it is potent in taste and plus it had a clearing of mind and a calming effect on me. It lets me know that this company sells quality herbs and tonics. I’m ordering more soon. Going for the 100 days challenge!! Stephen
Nigel (verified owner) –
I’ve been adding Schisandra to my morning greens smoothie. Love the colour, no problems with the taste. I feel generally more “up”, emotionally bouyant. I’m also megadosing Pine Pollen, I should mention.
When you list the purported benefits as above (e.g “antioxidant”) , could you please quote the study or reference? Thanks!
Greg Russell –
I absolutely love the flavor of the 5 Flavor Fruit! This is one that we ran out of all too soon. I would honestly love to see a larger sized bag available, maybe even a special in a miron jar! Definitely cleared the brain fog and aided in more focus, like that of rhodiola, with faster response time,… maybe it’s just me, but I love a tonic herb that helps keep the neurons firing quickly with many other benefits aside from that great perk. Didn’t have it long enough for a 100 day trial, but wish I did and miss it so. Great quality too. That basically goes without saying, when discussing Lost Empire Herbs. Many thousand thank yous, Christopher brothers!
cheryl jack –
I hadn’t taken any of my shisandra for nearly 2 months as the pomegranate blueberry juice I drink it in has been MIA. So, I decided to reintroduce it into my daily regimen after starting someone else on it.
There were two things that I didn’t expect: 1) my day vision improved drastically. I am in a new job with an office full of the wrong lights and a small computer screen that is taxing. Not anymore.
2) I have occasionally been having an achy achy stomach. Sometime enzymes improve it, sometimes shilajit, nothing predictably – that is until now.
3) and this was unexpected – no need for coffee. A 1/2 teaspoon of this in the morning and is my mind on.
4) another unexpected result – a feeling of POWER. I walk taller and just feel strong and substantial.
So…guess I’ve sold myself on using it. I’ve never see beauty benefits from it – at least nothing I can put my finger on. Put these things – I definitely see and feel and NEED.
Keep it coming fellas.
:o)
Damon Cart –
It only took a pinch of this stuff to wake me up. It gave me the energy and clarity of mind of a few cups of coffee but without the edginess of caffeine. Good stuff!