Omija (Schisandra 5-Flavor Berry) - Feed Ingredient

Omija, commonly known as Schisandra or Five-Flavor Berry, is the fruit of Schisandra chinensis, a deciduous climbing vine native to East Asia. The name “five-flavor berry” reflects the fruit’s complex taste profile, which includes sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent notes. In traditional herbal medicine, Schisandra has been valued for its adaptogenic and tonic properties.

In equine feed or supplement applications, Omija is used as a botanical additive, primarily in extract or dried powdered form. It contains various bioactive compounds such as lignans (notably schisandrin), flavonoids, organic acids, and essential oils. These constituents have been investigated for their antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in other species, although equine-specific research is limited.