User:Leeeees2/sandbox

= Omija-Cha = Omija-cha (Korean: 오미자차) or magnolia berry tea (red Korean berry tea, five-flavored tea , or schisandra berry tea) is a traditional Korean herbal tea made from dried magnolia berries—omija in Korean. Omija means "five flavors", which are sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and pungency. The bitterness is due to a little bit of tannin .

A common way of making Omija cha is brewing the dried berries in water then adding sugar or honey   ; however, some argue against adding sugar . The tea can be also made by boiling dried magnolia berries in water on low heat, then adding honey. Alternatively, ground magnolia berry seeds can be added to cold water to make the tea. '''Sometimes, pine nuts are added on top. Nowadays, the tea is more easily available and enjoyed as powder to be mixed in cold or hot water with added sweetness.'''

Omija-cha, served either hot or cold, is also used to make omija-hwachae (magnolia berry punch).

Preparation
'''The ripped tiny, bright red fruit can be harvested in August and September or in Fall. Then, usually the berries are dried to be made as tea. Some traditional ways to dry or get the dried berries are (1) drying in the sun and keeping in a paper bag to be hung in a place with no humidity and ventilation and (2) buying from stores. The dried berries can grow mold, so it should be looked carefully before use .'''

Benefits
'Omija cha'' has been consumed to protect and detoxify lung and treat cold or asthma. A study suggests it was 85.2% effective in treating infectious hepatitis. It prevents stress ulcer, enhances mental work efficiency, reduces stress, and improves blood circulation and physiological function. It has antibiotic property. '''

Side Effects
'''People at the beginning stage of measles or with fever should not drink this tea. Those with high liver-energy should not drink it as well. '''

Omija (Schisandra)
'Omija'' (or Schisandra) grows on a vine and is native to northern part of China. The vines are also found in Korea and Russia. The vine grows up to 25 ft and produces pink flowers .'''

Constituents
'Omija'' contains a lot of beneficiary "compounds with biological activities ." It includes acids, lignans, phytosterols, vitamins C and E, and volatile oils (or essential oil ). It is an adaptogen, which "is a medicine that increases the body's ability to fight disease and any stress it encounters including those from chemical, environmental, mental, and physical sources ." It is reported that omija contains fat, of which 75% is "healthy omega-3 fatty acids" called linoleic acids "which help prevent cardiovascular diseases" and "'more than 85 percent of the lignans are contained in the omija seeds,'" which equals to 15.55mg/g. Lignans are "chemical found in plants that have estrogen-like, liver-protective, and anti-inflammatory activities" and "help kill cancer cells, protect the kidney and liver, and have antioxidant and antidepressant effects". Phytosterols have "a cholesterol-lowering effect." '''

Benefits
'Omija'' is used to treat many diseases such as fluid imbalance; circulatory disorders; intestinal disease; fatigue; liver disease; mental and emotional illness; respiratory disease and disorder; sensory organ failure; sexual disorder; skin rash; sleep disorder; and other. Generally, it is known for its detoxifying properties, which "lower blood pressure and strengthen the kidneys" .'''

'In Traditional Chinese medicated diet, which is based on the yin-yang theory, it is considered to have neutral and tonic properties (natural meaning between hot and cold; tonic'' meaning strengthening and nourishing). Tonic also means, "restoring to tissues," which is also reported to be contained in omija by Western medicine. '''

Fluid Imbalance
Omija treats fluid imbalance with its "kidney tonic effect," which helps with "thirst, night sweats, excessive sweating, urinary incontinence, and the frequent urge to urinate ."

Circulatory disorders
Omija helps with circulatory disorders such as "poor circulation and poor heart function ."

Intestinal disease
Omija has been also used to treat "diarrhea and dysentery ."

Fatigue
'Omija'' "may reduce fatigue, improve endurance, improve work performance, and build strength. It is recommended for [people] who need high levels of energy, such as athletes." '''

Liver disease
'Omija'' "is used to treat hepatitis and poor liver function. In one clinical study, schisandra successfully treated 76% of the patients with hepatitis. It has been shown to improve both virally and chemically induced hepatitis. More recently, schisandra has been found to protect the liver against the side effects of anti-Alzheimer's medications." '''

Mental and emotional illness
'Omija'' "has been shown to improve mental clarity, concentration, and coordination. It reduces forgetfulness, irritability, and nervous exhaustion. Schisandra is used to treat stress and may be part of a useful treatment for depression." '''

Respiratory disease and disorder
'Omija'' "is used to treat allergies. It treats respiratory symptoms such as shortness of breath, chronic cough, and wheezing." '''

Sensory organ failure
'Omija'' "has been used to help improve failing sight and hearing. It enhances the sensation of touch." '''

Sexual disorder
'Omija'' " tones the sexual organs of both men and women. It increases the production of sexual fluids, improves male sexual stamina, and treats premature ejaculation and low sex drive." '''

Skin rash
'Omija'' "has been used to treat skin conditions, including hives and eczema." Omija is prepared as "a medicinal wine formulation." '''

Sleep disorder
'Omija'' "can relieve insomnia and dreamdis-rupted sleep" with "its adaptogenic properties." '''

Other
'Omija'' "counteracts respiratory paralysis caused by morphine overdose, and strengthens uterine contractions to promote healthy labor and childbirth." '''

Side Effects
'''"Schisandra is safe for longterm use; it has relatively few side effects. It has, however, been reported to cause upset stomach, heartburn, decreased appetite, and skin rash." '''

Folk Remedies

 * It is said that washing hair in water that boiled omija promotes hair growth and prevents white hairs from growing. 
 * It is said that omija lowers the body heat and helps with weight gain. 
 * It is said that omija helps treating unknown sweating, dried mouth, and Acute Hepatitis B.