Schizandra is a woody, deciduous vine native to northeastern China. It is a vigorous climber that grows up to 40 feet long and produces grapelike clusters of juicy, bright red berries. Schizandra’s dried fruits are about the size of peppercorns and can be eaten whole or ground into a powder.

The Chinese name for schizandra (wei zi) means “five flavor berry” because of its remarkable combination of all flavor sensations — sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. In traditional Chinese medicine, where taste is significant, schizandra is considered a fundamental herb, a harmonizing tonic used to treat various diseases as well as calm the heart and ease the mind.

Schizandra’s unique taste makes it popular among kitchen herbalists for preparing flavored syrups and beverages. In the West, schizandra is primarily used as an adaptogen to strengthen and protect the body from stress. In particular, schizandra is used to improve physical and mental stamina, sexual performance, detoxify the liver, and treat insomnia.