Schizandra for Balance

I love new, I'm all about it. I get so excited every time we go to my favorite local health food store and always head to the "herbs and teas" department to see what I should try out next. It's not about the new flavors, the potential health benefits, the new recipes I get to come up with. It's all of it and more; it's that it's new and different : )
This time I didn't get to actually make this tea right away but here are results. It's absolutely delicious. A hint of something from the past, something I can't name but know I've had the pleasure of tasting before, a sour, astringent experience. Nothing like the "ok, I made a cup of this because I heard it's good for me and now I'm going to hold my nose shut and down it and then reward myself with a slice of cake"…or anything similar. No. It's so delicious that I would happily trade water for it and live on this tea! So besides the flavor, what does it have to offer?

Schizandra
The plant Schisandra chinensis is native to northeastern China and the eastern United States. In herbal medicine, the berries are used to make an infusion or tea.
It is claimed to be an adaptogen to balance body functions, blood sugar and blood pressure, improve mental capabilities and physical performance, increase stamina, support adrenal glands, and help treat liver diseases. As if this list was not impressive enough, it's said to be beneficial for visual acuity, field of vision, and tactile sensitivity. There are certain conditions highlighted in this wonderful book* (available in the herbs and teas section of the store) for which these berries may be very helpful:
Cancer -  if you or someone you know is receiving chemotherapy with doxorubicin, this herb can be used for protecting the heart muscle.
Liver diseases - supposedly one of the most useful treatments for liver ailments, Schizandra may protect from the progression of cirrhosis to liver cancer, protect from chemical damage, in particular, ones that have to be activated by the liver to become poisonous. Through being such an effective supporter of the liver, it can help offset damage caused by hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, prevent this vital organ from inflammation, and speeds up recovery from liver surgery.
Depression - active compounds in schizandra help relieve or reverse depression in the central nervous system.

The good news is, you don't have to make tea every day to reap these benefits. Most of us will not have the time, right? You can find schizanda as capsules and tinctures as well if you wish to take it as a supplement.

Warning:
Do not use this herb,
- during pregnancy because it may induce labor
- if you have gallstones or blockages of the bile ducts, because this herb increases the flow of bile
- if you suffer from ulcer, epilepsy or high blood pressure

How is it consumed?
You can simply eat the dried berries, make an infusion by soaking them in some juice and drink that after straining, or make tea, like I did.

Schizandra tea
If you make tea and you stick with a raw foodie's principles you'll want to be gentle and make sure you don't exceed ~160 F / 70 °C. Just simmer a pint or so water and 1-2 tablespoons of berries, or a gallon of water with a cup of berries, etc, depending on how much you want to make. Steep it for half an hour to an hour, strain, and drink. Refresh!

I'll be sharing the next fascinating find soon...















*Prescription for Herbal Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies, by Phyllis A. Balch