Have you ever heard of Schisandra berries? They come from the plant Schisandra chinensis and they are commonly also known as “five-flavor berries”. These dried berries have a distinct flavor profile and pack a pleasant “sweet and sour” punch.
Schisandra berries have been used for
centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and are described as nurturing to “qi” which loosely translates into the “life force” or “vitality”. In Western herbalism, this herb is usually described as an adaptogen, which is a herb used to reduce the physiological effects of stress in the body. It is often used in herbalism to treat liver disorders and a tonic for overall well-being.
Schisandra also happens to be one of Dr. Haavaldsen’s favorite herbs, and she has shared her “Schisandra Berry Lemonade” recipe with us. She makes this regularly in the summertime as a flavorful and tart refreshing drink.
Ingredients
For a medium-sized jug of lemonade:
2 tbsp. of dried schisandra berries
3 cups hot water
Cold water
Ice
Juice of approximately 4 lemons
Liquid sweetener of choice (simple syrup, honey, stevia).
Optional: Carbonated water, frozen berries.
Procedure:
Make the schisandra tea: Steep the dried berries in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and then let it cool.
In your jug, mix the lemon juice and sweetener of your choice. The amount of sweetener will depend on what you are using and how sweet you like it. I used 2 tbsp of simple syrup in the jug – I like it tart!
Add the ice to the jug. If your tea is still a bit warm, you might want to be more generous with the ice.
Pour the schisandra tea over the ice. Then top off with cold water. You can use regular or carbonated water here, but I find the sparkly stuff makes it extra refreshing 😉
Give it a good stir and enjoy! If you want, you can also add some berries (fresh or frozen) for extra flavor.
*Disclaimer: The information contained within this post is for general educational and information purposes only. It is not professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or care nor is it intended to be a substitute therefore. If you have any concerns or questions about your health, always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare professional.