This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
This herb is NOT recommended during pregnancy due to potential risks to the developing fetus.
This herb is NOT recommended while breastfeeding as effects on infants are unknown.
Consult your healthcare provider before use.
2 Known Drug Interactions — Some May Be Serious
2 Moderate
This herb may interact with medications you are taking. Review the interactions table below and consult your healthcare provider before use.
What is a herb–drug interaction?
A herb–drug interaction happens when a plant or supplement changes how a medication works in your body — making it stronger, weaker, or more likely to cause harm. Herbs contain active compounds that can speed up or slow down the enzymes and transporters your body uses to process drugs.
Why it matters
•St. John's Wort can make birth control, antidepressants, and blood thinners less effective.
•Garlic can increase bleeding risk with warfarin and other blood thinners (also ginkgo, ginger, and turmeric).
•Kava can amplify sedation when taken with anxiety or sleep medications (also valerian).
The risk is highest for older adults, anyone taking several medications, and people with chronic conditions.
Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about every herb and supplement you take — and check below before combining.
Schisandra may increase tacrolimus blood levels through enzyme inhibition.
This list reflects a curated subset of documented interactions and is not exhaustive. The absence of a drug here is not proof that it is safe to combine. Always confirm with a pharmacist or healthcare provider.
Schisandra contains active lignans, such as schisandrin and gomisin A, which function as adaptogens. These compounds are believed to regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, helping the body resist stress. Additionally, Schisandra lignans induce liver detoxification enzymes and provide antioxidant protection to hepatocytes, supporting liver health. This mechanism supports its traditional use for enhancing endurance and mental clarity (Evidence Level C/Traditional).
Does Schisandra interact with prescription medications?
Yes, Schisandra has significant potential for drug interactions. It affects the cytochrome P450 enzyme system (specifically CYP3A4 and CYP2C19), which metabolizes many pharmaceuticals. This interaction can alter the breakdown of drugs, potentially increasing side effects or reducing efficacy. Patients taking anticoagulants, immunosuppressants, or drugs metabolized by the liver should consult a physician before use to avoid adverse interactions.
What is the recommended daily dosage for Schisandra?
For general health support, the typical adult dosage is 500 to 2000mg of dried Schisandra berries daily. For standardized extracts, a dosage of 250 to 500mg daily is common. It is often taken to support liver function or improve physical endurance. Because Schisandra can increase stomach acid, it is best taken with food to minimize gastrointestinal discomfort (Evidence Level C).
Is Schisandra safe to take during pregnancy?
No, Schisandra is considered unsafe during pregnancy. It is a uterine stimulant and may cause uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage or premature labor. Consequently, pregnant women should strictly avoid Schisandra supplements. Breastfeeding women should also avoid it due to a lack of safety data. This herb is contraindicated for individuals with epilepsy or high intracranial pressure as well.
What are the common side effects of taking Schisandra?
While generally safe for healthy adults, Schisandra can cause side effects in some individuals. Common complaints include gastrointestinal upset, heartburn, and decreased appetite. Because it stimulates gastric acid secretion, it is contraindicated for people with GERD or peptic ulcers. Other potential side effects include skin rash and allergic reactions. Discontinue use if you experience itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Schisandra chinensis is a traditional Chinese medicinal herb recognized as a plant adaptogen used to enhance the body's resistance to stress and stability against physical loads [PMID:34445021, PMID:38398618].
Background
Schisandra chinensis (also known as Wu Wei Zi or Bei-Wuweizi) is a member of the Magnoliaceae family [PMID:39454375, PMID:18849034]. It is used as both a medicine and a food ingredient in China, Korea, Russia, and Japan [PMID:35359848, PMID:34678416, PMID:29352909].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used to treat coughs, insomnia, dreaminess, palpitation, spermatorrhea, and disorders of the liver and kidney [PMID:34678416, PMID:37001770]. It is also used to tonify Qi, nourish the kidney, calm the heart, and produce fluid to relieve mental stress [PMID:37001770, PMID:38336330].
Active compounds
The primary bioactive compounds are dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans (such as schisandrin, schisandrin B, schisantherin A, schisantherin B, schisanhenol, deoxyschisandrin, and gomisin A) [PMID:36771299, PMID:31431019]. Other active components include polysaccharides (composed of glucose, mannose, rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and arabinose), flavonoids, phenolic acids, anthocyanins, triterpenes, and norsesquiterpenoids [PMID:38788881, PMID:37560060, PMID:35347956].
Mechanism of action
Mechanisms include the reduction of CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress [PMID:29902864], activation of the cGAS-STING pathway to inhibit HBV replication [PMID:37001770], and regulation of hepatic ceramide homeostasis via ASAH1 [PMID:41207267]. It also acts by fortifying mitochondrial antioxidant status [PMID:16552829], suppressing neuroinflammation through TRPV1 expression in microglia [PMID:39454375], and activating the pregnane X receptor (PXR) to induce drug-metabolizing enzymes [PMID:16267138].
Clinical evidence
Evidence ALiver Injury
Bioactive compounds significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and exhibit hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects [PMID:40832608].
Evidence DMetabolic Steatohepatitis (MASH)
Lignan extracts (SLE) and polysaccharides (SCP) effectively reversed steatosis and reduced serum transaminase levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse models [PMID:41207267].
Evidence DParkinson's Disease
Lignan-enriched extracts (LSC) addressed neuroinflammation and behavioral changes in MPTP-treated mice [PMID:39454375].
Evidence DColitis-induced Depression
Vinegar-processed Schisandra Chinensis (VSC) enhanced therapeutic effects on depressive behavior in chronic UC mice [PMID:39357281].
Evidence DDiabetic Skin Wound Healing
The active component Gomisin A demonstrated effectiveness in treating diabetic skin wounds in obese mice models [PMID:39303965].
Evidence D
Drug interactions
Schisandra lignans may induce metabolic drug-drug interactions (DDIs) by inhibiting cytochrome P450 and P-glycoprotein activities [PMID:35359848]. It has been shown to activate the pregnane X receptor (PXR), increasing the clearance of warfarin in rats [PMID:16267138].
Evidence summary
The evidence is primarily based on preclinical animal models (D) and literature reviews (C), with one systematic review and meta-analysis (A) supporting its hepatoprotective effects.
2.PMID: 38398618 (2024) — Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Adaptogens: A Mini-Review. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
3.PMID: 39357281 (2024) — Vinegar-processed Schisandra Chinensis enhanced therapeutic effects on colitis-induced depression through tryptophan metabolism. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
4.PMID: 29902864 (2018) — Protective effect of acidic polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis on acute ethanol-induced liver injury through reducing CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress. · Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie
5.PMID: 39885030 (2025) — Identification of Lignans. · Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.)
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
Combination of Schisandra and Evodia herbs improved learning and memory impairment in AD model rats [PMID:37787050].
6.PMID: 31431019 (2019) — Schisandra chinensis and its phytotherapeutical applications. · Ceska a Slovenska farmacie : casopis Ceske farmaceuticke spolecnosti a Slovenske farmaceuticke spolecnosti
7.PMID: 35359848 (2022) — 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
8.PMID: 39454375 (2024) — Lignans of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill inhibits Parkinson's disease progression through mediated neuroinflammation-TRPV1 expression in microglia. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
9.PMID: 29352909 (2018) — A review of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera: Properties, functions and applications. · Carbohydrate polymers
10.PMID: 18849034 (2009) — Analysis of Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera. · Journal of chromatography. A
11.PMID: 33919588 (2021) — Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active Constituents. · Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
12.PMID: 41207267 (2025) — Schisandra chinensis lignans and polysaccharides alleviate MASH via ASAH1-mediated regulation of hepatic ceramide homeostasis. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology
13.PMID: 38542438 (2024) — Dibenzocyclooctadiene Lignans from Schisandra chinensis with Anti-Inflammatory Effects. · International journal of molecular sciences
14.PMID: 40832608 (2025) — Efficacy of Schisandra chinensis in liver injury: a systematic review and preclinical meta-analysis. · Frontiers in pharmacology
15.PMID: 36771299 (2023) — Cardioprotective Potential of Berries of Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.), Their Components and Food Products. · Nutrients
16.PMID: 16552829 (2006) — Biochemical basis of the "Qi-invigorating" action of Schisandra berry (wu-wei-zi) in Chinese medicine. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
17.PMID: 34678416 (2022) — A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
18.PMID: 37560060 (2023) — An analysis of the nutritional effects of Schisandra chinensis components based on mass spectrometry technology. · Frontiers in nutrition
19.PMID: 23538076 (2013) — Adaptogens in mental and behavioral disorders. · The Psychiatric clinics of North America
20.PMID: 29986408 (2018) — Schisandra chinensis Fructus and Its Active Ingredients as Promising Resources for the Treatment of Neurological Diseases. · International journal of molecular sciences
21.PMID: 40974027 (2025) — Microglia-Derived Cell Membranes Encapsulated Schisandra chinensis Polysaccharide-Zinc Complex for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. · ACS applied materials & interfaces
22.PMID: 40205412 (2025) — A comprehensive review of Schisandra chinensis lignans: pharmacokinetics, pharmacological mechanisms, and future prospects in disease prevention and treatment. · Chinese medicine
23.PMID: 37001770 (2023) — Schisandrin C enhances cGAS-STING pathway activation and inhibits HBV replication. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
24.PMID: 16267138 (2006) — Traditional Chinese medicines Wu Wei Zi (Schisandra chinensis Baill) and Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch) activate pregnane X receptor and increase warfarin clearance in rats. · The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics
25.PMID: 22039930 (2012) — Panax ginseng, Rhodiola rosea and Schisandra chinensis. · International journal of food sciences and nutrition
26.PMID: 38336330 (2024) — The extraction, purification, structural features, bioactivities, and applications of Schisandra chinensis polysaccharides: A review. · International journal of biological macromolecules
27.PMID: 38788881 (2024) — Extraction, purification, structural characterization, and biological activity of polysaccharides from Schisandra chinensis: A review. · International journal of biological macromolecules
28.PMID: 37787050 (2023) — Different ratios of Schisandra chinensis and Evodia rutaecarpa combination for treating Alzheimer's disease. · Experimental biology and medicine (Maywood, N.J.)
29.PMID: 39303965 (2025) — Efficacy and mechanism of Schisandra chinensis active component Gomisin A on diabetic skin wound healing: network pharmacology and in vivo experimental validation. · Journal of ethnopharmacology
30.PMID: 35347956 (2022) — [A new norsesquiterpenoid from Schisandra chinensis]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica