Schisandra Berry, Licorice & Red Date Drink (Wu Wei Zi Gan Cao Hong Zao Shui)

Why people make this drink

When a routine blood test comes back with elevated ALT or AST, it’s natural to feel alarmed — but Nourilo’s first advice is always: don’t panic, and find the cause. Elevated liver enzymes can stem from medication side effects, too much alcohol, late nights, intense exercise, or from conditions like fatty liver or hepatitis. Once the cause is addressed, many people also turn to this simple herbal drink as a supportive measure during recovery.

Schisandra berry (wu wei zi — literally “five-flavor berry,” because it is said to have all five tastes simultaneously) has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and has attracted considerable research attention in recent decades. It is associated with supporting liver function during recovery from hepatitis and helping normalize elevated enzyme levels. Combined with licorice root’s traditional anti-inflammatory and harmonizing properties, and red dates for blood nourishment, this is a gentle, practical drink for anyone whose liver needs a little support.