The Omija berry is native to northeastern China, Korea, and parts of Siberia. It has been cultivated for thousands of years as a special beautifying tonic herb found in numerous traditional culinary and medicinal recipes. Omija is celebrated in China and Korea as an adaptogen—herbs that alleviate stress and help the body deal with physical and mental fatigue. The adaptogenic properties of Omija have been cited for centuries in Asian tradition for helping beautify and protect the skin from environmental stress. It is also said that Omija's concentrated B-vitamin complex and antioxidant activity help support healthy liver function and hormonal balance. Omija is harvested in late summer and can be pressed fresh into juice, or it can be sun-dried for use in a variety of preparations such as herbal teas, vitality tonics, and infused liquors. Omija literally means "five-flavor berry," alluding to its uniquely complex flavor profile with sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and pungent aspects found in different parts of the berry. Omija is often referred to in the West according to its Latin name, Schizandra.