What is Schisandra?
One of the most revered anti-aging herbs of the Taoist tonic system, this ‘beauty berry’ of the Orient was used by ancient Chinese royalty to preserve youthfulness, enhance physical radiance, boost sexual desire and as a potent reproductive tonic. Schisandra may support:
- Stress & Sleep
- Skin Radiance
- Sexual Function
- Kidney Yin
- Jing, Qi & Shen
- Respiratory System
In China, Schisandra is known as Wu Wei Zi, a name which translates to “five taste fruit,” named after the incredible flavor profile of the berry that has all five tastes: salty, sweet, sour, bitter, and pungent. Each taste/flavor corresponds to a major organ system within the body and is why Schisandra is known for its capacity to influence/enter all five major organ systems of the body: the Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, Heart, and Spleen.
The History
We first heard of this practice through the wonderful work of Master Ron Teeguarden, author of the book ‘The Ancient Wisdom of the Chinese Tonic Herbs’.
If used for 100 days successively, Master Teeguarden notes:
“Schisandra is said to purify the blood, sharpen the mind, improve memory, rejuvenate the Kidney energy...and cause the skin to become radiantly beautiful... People who start taking Schisandra regularly, all change for the better. Their skin virtually glows and becomes clear and fine after several months.”
So we invite you to join us in the ‘100 days of Schisandra’ challenge, as we cultivate inner and outer radiance and glow together.
How to Join Us
It’s super easy, all you need to do is integrate one level teaspoon (which weighs about 2.3g) of our SuperFeast Schisandra powder into your routine each day for 100 days.
The traditional prescription handed down by the Taoists is one tablespoon of dried Schisandra berries a day. Our extract is a 10:1 extract, which means for every 10kgs of berries we use we get 1kg of extract. So one teaspoon of extract is equal to one tablespoon of berries.
To keep you going for the 100-day challenge, you will need a 250g bag of Schisandra.
Keep us posted if you decide to join us, we’d love to hear how you are going.
You can also download our free '100 Days of Schisandra' PDF to keep as a downloadable resource!
Wanting to immerse yourself deeper?
Try our Beauty Blend - a super blend of beautifying herbs that nourish the body from the inside out. Inspired by ancient Taoist herbal wisdom, the Beauty Blend brings vitality to the skin, hair, nails, and fascia of the body.
FAQ’s
How should I take Schisandra?
You can have the Schisandra powder in whatever way works for you, here are some of our favorite ways:
- Straight with hot/boiling water
- Blended in with juice or smoothies
Our Schisandra carries quite a potent punch on the palate, they don’t call this herb the five flavor fruit for nothing. It is not uncommon for people to find the taste of Schisandra challenging, and oftentimes it is a sign that this herb is indeed the one their body needs the most.
Why isn’t the herbal extract red like the berries?
Our Schisandra extract is created from the herbs’ dried fruiting body (another name for a berry), so the powder you see in your jar or bag will never appear red. The drying process removes excess moisture from the berry, thus reducing the vibrant coloration you will note when working with the herb in its raw or freeze-dried form.
How long will it take for me to see the results?
This process is very subjective as we all have unique bodies, so unfortunately there is no cut-and-dry answer.
When you experience results, will depend on your level of internal awareness, constitutional sensitivity, and current health condition. Benefits may be felt immediately or it may take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month for you to feel the shifts within your body. We’re all about consistent action taken with intent, with space left for your health to unfold in a way that is unique to your own individual life path.
Tonic Herbalism is all about consistency, with medicinal benefits accumulating over time. Longevity in the practice cultivates longevity in the body, and as long as you are taking the herbs they will be working their magic for you.
We recommend consuming one or more of our products regularly for at least 30-100 days to really allow the medicine to unfold within your system.
What’s better, Beauty Blend or Schisandra?
They’re both incredible, and you can’t get it wrong.
We always suggest reaching for the herb or blend that intuitively calls you.
Can I take my other SuperFeast tonic herbs at the same time?
Yes! You can absolutely continue your usual tonic herbal practice during our 100 Days of Schisandra challenge.
When can I do the challenge?
You can do the challenge whenever you feel called. Schisandra is a superstar Liver herb so we love doing our 100 Days of Schisandra challenge in Spring, the season which is characterized by the Liver in tonic herbalism.
This challenge is great to do when undertaking a seasonal cleanse, lifestyle upgrade, or any other time where you are feeling a desire to reset and rejuvenate.
Do I need to fast or change my diet during the challenge?
There’s no need to change anything (unless you want to) while doing the challenge, although we would strongly suggest that you stay as hydrated as possible, this will ensure you’re reaping all the detoxifying benefits the incredible herb has.
Can I do the challenge while pregnant or breastfeeding?
We generally don’t suggest Schisandra during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
It is best to check in with your health practitioner for further guidance and support.
Should I take Schisandra in the morning or the evening?
A dose taken in the morning is usually well-received, however, you can take your Schisandra at any time that suits your daily flow and lifestyle. We love ours in the morning in hot water with a squeeze of lemon or as an “afternoon QI” to give us that little pick me up if we’re ever feeling an afternoon slump roll in.
Resources
Download our free 'Cultivate Beauty From Within' PDF
Articles
7 Sexy Benefits of Wonder Berry Schisandra
Beauty Blend: Its Amazing Benefits
Podcast Episodes
#57 Schisandra: The Magical Berry with Mason and Tahnee from SuperFeast
Recipes
The Beautifying Schisandra Detox Lemonade
We’d love to hear from you
Join us in our challenge, email us at team@superfeast.com.au or call 1300 769 500 (Mon to Fri 9.30 am - 4.00 pm).
We’d also love to see your daily Schisandra routine, tag us @superfeast #100daysofschis
Happy herbing everyone!
