SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Schisandra

aka Schisandra chinensis · Five-flavor berry

Adaptogenic berry traditionally used for stamina, liver protection, and stress resilience.

Liver HealthCortisol ManagementEnergy Production

Overview

Adaptogenic berry traditionally used for stamina, liver protection, and stress resilience.

Natural sources
  • Schisandra chinensis berries
Common forms
  • Standardized schisandrins

Forms & variants of Schisandra

Different chemical forms of Schisandra behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Adaptogen dose
Schisandra (Adaptogen)

Berry adaptogen for stress, focus, and liver protection.

Mechanism of action

Schisandrins induce Phase II hepatic enzymes and act as antioxidants.

Pathways
  • · Phase II induction
  • · Nrf2

Effects on the body

Supports
Hepatic detoxification
Decreases
Stress markers

Organ system effects

Liver

Improves liver enzymes in chronic hepatitis.

Evidence-based benefits

Improves ALT/AST in chronic hepatitis

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Heartburn
Rare
    Serious

      Drug interactions

      CYP3A4 substrates
      Induces CYP3A4.
      moderate

      Safety & non-supplemental interactions

      Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

      Avoid if you are
      • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
      • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
      Avoid / monitor with these medications
      • ·Alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sedating antihistamines (additive CNS depression)

      Supplement interactions

      Pairs well with

      None listed.

      Avoid combining with

      No specific avoidances listed.

      Dosing & bioavailability

      Typical dose
      500–1500 mg standardized

      Where to buy

      Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

      Herb
      Schisandra
      Amazon
      Wide selection · fast shipping
      Herb
      Schisandra
      iHerb
      Global delivery · curated brands
      Herb
      Schisandra
      Thorne
      Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

      Scientific evidence (8)

      Systematic reviewExamine.com Supplement Database · 2023

      Schisandra: pharmacology, clinical evidence, and safety — narrative review

      Examine.com Research Team

      Curated narrative review of human and preclinical evidence for Schisandra, including mechanism, typical dosing, and safety considerations.

      Key findings

      Best-supported outcome: Improves ALT/AST in chronic hepatitis (evidence: moderate). Additional outcomes and limitations summarized in the full profile.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — Improves ALT/AST in chronic hepatitis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra Improves ALT/AST in chronic hepatitis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "Improves ALT/AST in chronic hepatitis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — randomized controlled trial

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — meta-analysis

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — pharmacokinetics

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — safety adverse events

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

      PubMed: Schisandra — dose response

      Live PubMed search

      Live results for "Schisandra dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

      Key findings

      Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Schisandra and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

      Open study
      Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

      Google Scholar: Schisandra — clinical evidence

      Live Scholar search

      Cross-database citation index for Schisandra as it relates to "clinical evidence".

      Key findings

      Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

      Open study
      Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.