Schisandra chinensis

The Schisandra chinensis is a vine native to eastern China where it is widely used in traditional medicine. Its fruits, called 5-Flavour Berries, are dried and powdered. They are simultaneously salty, sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter, which gives them their name. The use of the plant for medical purposes is only recommended with medical advice. The fruit is harvested from August to October.

Originating from Eastern China, Mongolia, and Korea, the Schisandra chinensis is a hardy and decorative vine. Traditionally used for its aphrodisiac properties, it is just as appreciated as Ginseng. For centuries, Chinese people consumed them before their wedding night. The Schisandra chinensis is a dioecious (sometimes monoecious) vine, producing either female flowers or male flowers. To bear fruit and produce berries, the plant needs two individuals of different sexes.

The berries grow in fairly loose clusters. They are red and measure about 6 mm (<1in) in diameter. They contain up to 17 amino acids and a high concentration of vitamins, including A, B, C, and E, trace elements, proteins, and essential oils. The harvest takes place from August to September. These berries should not be consumed by pregnant women. Furthermore, regular consumption in small doses will have no problematic side effects. In China, the berries are dried and powdered to become Wu Wei Zi, literally the "5-Flavor Berry". You can make a herbal tea with them: boil 1 teaspoon of dried berries per cup for 20 minutes. Strain, add sugar to taste. Enjoy.

The Schisandra chinensis can withstand temperatures down to -23°C (-9.4°F) and can reach a height of up to 10 m (33ft). It must be trained to climb, like a vine. It adapts perfectly to pergolas, trellises, and adorns walls. It naturally wraps around trees. The leaves are ovate to elliptical, and the white flowers are in unisexual clusters. You will need one male plant and one female plant to obtain fruits.