What is Said to be the Best Anti-aging Supplement for Women?

Some say that if there was one herb every woman should be taking, it would be schisandra, or 五味子 Wu Wei Zi “five-flavor berry”. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Schisandra is widely used for its positive impact to various pathways in the body including the heart, lung, liver and kidneys and for its wide range of health benefits including:

Hormonal Balance: Schisandra is considered an adaptogen, which means it helps the body adapt to stress and normalizes bodily processes. It is thought to have a balancing effect on hormones, which can be particularly beneficial during menstrual cycles, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and menopause.
Skin Health: Schisandra is said to have protective effects on the skin, helping to improve its appearance by fighting free radical damage and improving hydration. This is due to its antioxidant properties, which can be beneficial in preventing premature aging of the skin.
Stress Relief: The adaptogenic properties of Schisandra also mean that it can help in managing stress, which can have a significant impact on overall health. By modulating the stress response, Schisandra may help reduce the physical and mental symptoms of stress.
Liver Health: Schisandra is believed to support liver function by promoting the detoxification processes. This is especially important because the liver is crucial for processing hormones, including estrogen.
Energy and Endurance: Schisandra may boost energy levels and increase endurance, which can be beneficial for the overall vitality and well-being of women, especially those who lead active, demanding lives.
Immune System Support: Its potential immune-modulating effects can be important for maintaining health and combating illness, which is beneficial for everyone, including women.

In addition, the herb has been found to help with Alzheimers, liver disease and menopause according to this Healthline article. This truly seems to be a magical herb. An acupuncturist I visited for the very first time recently shared that Schisandra is a powerful herb for fertility. The benefits of Schisandra are also touted by Lili Choi, a Doctor of Acupuncture and herbalist.

Schisandra can be found as a supplement in powdered, pill or liquid form as a tincture. They can also be found as dried whole berries. I’ve noticed that some use Schisandra in a juice or mocktail. I’m making time to head to Chinatown in San Francisco to a pharmacy my dad has gone to for ages to find some Schisandra. Stay tuned for what I find!

It’s important to remember that while Schisandra can be a supportive herbal supplement, it may not necessarily replace other needed medical treatments. It’s recommended that you discuss any new supplements with a healthcare provider, especially if you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding.