Schisandra
Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Adaptogenic berry used in TCM for liver protection and stress resilience.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.
This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Schisandra is a herb most often used for liver protection, stress adaptation, endurance. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 500-1,000 mg daily, commonly taken as standardized extract (9% schisandrin). This profile indexes 19 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: liver protection, stress adaptation, endurance. 19 sources indexed (2008–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Lignans such as schisandrin B influence oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and hepatic glutathione. Schisandra lignans can also inhibit or modulate CYP450 enzymes and P-glycoprotein, creating clinically relevant drug-interaction potential.11,15
Dosing & protocol.
What it actually costs.
Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized Schisandra Extract.
Assumes 500-1,000 mg/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon marketplace, and specialty herb brands; schisandrin-standardized extracts cost more. Updated 2026-05-28.
The same dose, as food.
How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.
Extracts may standardize lignans more tightly than whole berries.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- GI upset
- Decreased appetite
- Heartburn
- Drug interaction risk via CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein modulation
Contraindications
- Epilepsy
- Peptic ulcers
- Pregnancy
- Transplant medication use
- Tacrolimus or cyclosporine therapy
- CYP3A4 or P-glycoprotein substrate medications unless clinician-supervised10
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Meta-analyses & systematic reviews
1- 1Efficacy of Schisandra chinensis in liver injury: a systematic review and preclinical meta-analysisPMIDWang X et al. · Phytomedicine · 2025
54 animal studies showed schisandra bioactive compounds significantly reduced ALT, AST, and ALP levels, confirming hepatoprotective effects
Randomized controlled trials
5- 2Efficacy and Safety of Omija (Schisandra chinensis) Extract Mixture on the Improvement of Hyperglycemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical TrialPMIDKim DS, Baek HI, Ha KC, Cha YS, Park SJ · Nutrients · 2022
RCT of 80 participants with hyperglycemia found 12 weeks of Omija/Schisandra extract mixture significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose, postprandial glucose, fructosamine, and LDL cholesterol compared to placebo.
- 3Effect of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extracts and regular low-intensity exercise on muscle strength and mass in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPMIDCho YH, Lee SY, Lee CH, Park JH, So YS · Am J Clin Nutr · 2021
RCT of 54 adults >50 years found 12 weeks of Schisandra chinensis extract (1 g/day) significantly increased right knee extensor strength (+10.2 Nm) and left knee extensor strength (+6.7 Nm) compared to placebo, without adverse events.
- 4Effect of Schisandra Chinensis Extract Supplementation on Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Fatigue in Adult Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialPMIDPark J, Han S, Park H · Int J Environ Res Public Health · 2020
RCT of 45 post-menopausal women found 12 weeks of SC extract (1000 mg/day) significantly increased quadriceps muscle strength and decreased resting lactate levels.
- 5A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptomsPMIDPark JY, Kim KH · Climacteric · 2016
RCT of 36 menopausal women found Schisandra chinensis extract (BMO-30) significantly reduced total Kupperman Index scores compared to placebo, especially for hot flushes, sweating, and heart palpitations.
- 6Schisandra chinensis fruit modulates the gut microbiota composition in association with metabolic markers in obese women: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled studyPMIDSong MY, Wang JH, Eom T et al. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) · 2015
Song MY, Wang JH, Eom T et al.. Schisandra chinensis fruit modulates the gut microbiota composition in association with metabolic markers in obese women: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.). 2015
Reviews & position papers
8- 7Modulation of disease-associated gut microbiota by Schisandra chinensis: a literature reviewPMIDLiu Z, Wang C, Fan H et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2026
Liu Z, Wang C, Fan H et al.. Modulation of disease-associated gut microbiota by Schisandra chinensis: a literature review. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2026
- 8Modeling the complexity of drug-drug interactions: A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic study of Lenvatinib with Schisantherin A/Schisandrin APMIDZheng A, Yang D, Pan C et al. · European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences · 2024
Zheng A, Yang D, Pan C et al.. Modeling the complexity of drug-drug interactions: A physiologically-based pharmacokinetic study of Lenvatinib with Schisantherin A/Schisandrin A. European journal of pharmaceutical sciences : official journal of the European Federation for Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2024
- 9Potential toxicity of Schisandra chinensis to water environment: acute toxicity tests with water crustaceansPMIDValíčková J, Zezulka Š, Maršálková E et al. · Environmental science and pollution research international · 2023
Valíčková J, Zezulka Š, Maršálková E et al.. Potential toxicity of Schisandra chinensis to water environment: acute toxicity tests with water crustaceans. Environmental science and pollution research international. 2023
- 10A Comprehensive Review of the Main Lignan Components of Schisandra chinensis (North Wu Wei Zi) and Schisandra sphenanthera (South Wu Wei Zi) and the Lignan-Induced Drug-Drug Interactions Based on the Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 and P-Glycoprotein ActivitiesPMIDZhang F, Zhai J, Weng N et al. · Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022
Zhang F, Zhai J, Weng N et al.. A Comprehensive Review of the Main Lignan Components of Schisandra chinensis (North Wu Wei Zi) and Schisandra sphenanthera (South Wu Wei Zi) and the Lignan-Induced Drug-Drug Interactions Based on the Inhibition of Cytochrome P450 and P-Glycoprotein Activities. Frontiers in pharmacology. 2022
- 11Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active ConstituentsPMIDSzopa A et al. · Int J Mol Sci · 2021
Schisandra lignans, including schisandrin B, exhibit potent antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress and enhance hepatic glutathione
- 12Schisandra chinensis and its phytotherapeutical applicationsPMIDNowak A et al. · Front Pharmacol · 2019
Schisandra lignans have confirmed adaptogenic effects, central nervous system stimulation, hepatoprotective effects, and potential anticancer properties
- 13Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicinePMIDPanossian A et al. · J Ethnopharmacol · 2008
Schisandra chinensis gained recognition as an adaptogen in official USSR medicine, with clinical trials demonstrating efficacy in asthenia, neuralgic and psychiatric disorders, and influenza
- 14Schisandra chinensis: an adaptogen with multiple pharmacological activitiesSource linkedPMIDPanossian A, Wikman G · Phytomedicine · 2008
Mechanistic & preclinical
3- 15Schisandrin B alleviates acute oxidative stress via modulation of the Nrf2/Keap1-mediated antioxidant pathwayPMIDLeong PK et al. · Appl Physiol Nutr Metab · 2018
Schisandrin B provides cytoprotection against oxidative stress via Nrf2/Keap1 pathway modulation, supporting its use as an adaptogenic compound
- 16Long-term schisandrin B treatment mitigates age-related impairments in mitochondrial antioxidant status and functional ability in various tissues, and improves the survival of aging C57BL/6J micePMIDKo KM et al. · Biofactors · 2009
Schisandrin B supplementation suppressed mitochondrial ROS production, enhanced mitochondrial ATP generation, and improved survival in aging mice
- 17Effect of Schisandra chinensis on endurance capacity and metabolic parameters in miceSource linkedPMIDPanossian A, Wikman G · Phytomedicine · 2009
Reference material
2- 18Zhu P, Li J, Fu X et al.. Schisandra fruits for the management of drug-induced liver injury in China: A review. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2019Source linkedPMID
- 19Li Z, He X, Liu F et al.. A review of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera: Properties, functions and applications. Carbohydrate polymers. 2018Source linkedPMID
Common questions.
Quick answers about Schisandra, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Schisandra?
Adaptogenic berry used in TCM for liver protection and stress resilience.
What is Schisandra used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Schisandra include: Liver protection; Stress adaptation; Endurance; Skin health. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.
What is a typical dose of Schisandra?
A typical adult dose of Schisandra is 500-1,000 mg daily. The commonly recommended form is Standardized extract (9% schisandrin). These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Schisandra?
Reported side effects include gi upset, decreased appetite, heartburn, drug interaction risk via cyp3a4 and p-glycoprotein modulation. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Schisandra?
NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
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