The Super Berry You Need To Know About: Schisandra Berry

When it comes to superfoods, it can be tricky to stay on top of the trends. Every other week there’s a new ingredient in town, touted to be the cure-all when it comes to health, beauty or wellness.

But one ingredient seems to have stood the test of time—and that’s the schisandra berry. With its origins in traditional Chinese medicine, this super berry has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is believed to contain all five ‘flavours’ of Chinese medicine—salty, sweet, sour, spicy and bitter. Due to this complex flavour profile, schisandra is therefore considered to benefit all the major yin organs, including the liver, lungs, heart, kidneys and spleen.

It’s also one of the key ingredients in our Ayurvedic Beauty Powder—an innovative new formula that works synergistically to combat ageing, support glowing skin, aid digestive health and improve overall wellbeing.

Curious to know more? Here’s how the schisandra berry can boost your health and wellbeing.

It supports your stress response

As an adaptogen, schisandra is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase energy levels and help the body respond and adapt to stress. It does this by nurturing our adrenal glands and helping to reduce cortisol levels—so no matter the source of your stress (whether physical or psychological), schisandra can therefore be a helpful tool in managing it.

It improves mental clarity

While schisandra’s ability to reduce fatigue and improve energy undoubtedly plays a role in its ability to improve mental clarity—interestingly, schisandra has also been studied for its abilities to improve cognitive function on an even greater scale—by enhancing memory, focus and concentration. One study found that this potent red-purple berry may also provide benefits for those with Alzheimer’s disease by blocking the formation of excess amyloid beta peptides in the brain. In patients with Alzheimer’s, it’s these peptides which contribute to plaque formation and subsequently cognitive issues.

While more research certainly needs to be done in humans, there is also some early evidence to suggest that schisandra berry may have a positive effect on depression—helping to support more balanced moods. 

It combats inflammation & promotes glowing skin

As a rich source of lignans—anti-inflammatory compounds which exhibit potent antioxidant benefits—the schisandra berry is a powerful tool in the fight against inflammation. Given that inflammation is considered the driver for most chronic disease—as well as ageing of the skin and body—it’s important to do what we can to halt inflammation in its tracks. Studies also show that schisandra may exhibit anti-cancer effects by protecting against oxidative stress and combating cancer cell growth.

By helping to mop up free radicals, the potent antioxidants in schisandra also promote more radiant skin, reducing the visible signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and pigmentation. Even better? Schisandra berry can also shield and protect cells from the effects of further DNA damage.

It supports liver health

One of the schisandra berry’s most well-known benefits is its ability to support liver function. As one of the body’s key detoxification organs, the liver is responsible for ridding the body of excess wastes and toxins. Maintaining a healthy liver is therefore vital for our immune health and overall wellbeing. Said to help stimulate enzyme production, the schisandra berry improves overall liver function—whilst research shows it may also protect against liver disease. 

Discover the benefits of the schisandra berry for yourself by adding the LAMAV Ayurvedic Beauty Powder to your daily inner beauty routine.