What is schisandra chinensis?

Schisandra chinensis extract is a natural supplement derived from the dried fruit of schisandra chinensis, a plant native to China and parts of Russia. It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

How does it work?

Schisandra chinensis extract has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic properties, which means it may help the body better cope with stress. It has also been shown to support liver function and may have potential benefits for cognitive function and mood.

What are the active ingredients that are important for its medicinal properties?

The active ingredients in schisandra chinensis extract include lignans, schisandrin, and schisandrol. These compounds are believed to contribute to the herb's adaptogenic and liver-protective properties.

What forms does it come in?

Schisandra chinensis extract is available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, tinctures, and powders.

When was it first used for medicinal purposes?

Schisandra chinensis extract has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, and it has recently gained popularity as a natural supplement in Western countries.

What does Schisandra chinensis extract help with?

Schisandra is a red berry used in Chinese medicine for many centuries. The extract comes from the dried fruit. It is often called an adaptogen, a herb said to help the body cope with stress.

• High liver enzymes from fatty liver or long-term hepatitis
  Early evidence — several clinical studies in patients with chronic hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In those studies, schisandra extract lowered ALT and AST. Doctors check these blood markers to judge liver swelling. Safety looked good, but our file does not record the trial sizes or doses.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Hot flashes and sweats around menopause
  Early evidence — clinical trials in menopausal women, sizes and doses not on file. Women taking schisandra reported fewer hot flashes, less sweating and fewer heart flutters. It does not appear to act on estrogen receptors, unlike plant-estrogen herbs. Our file does not list how many women took part.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Brain fog and trouble holding focus
  Early evidence — clinical studies that measured attention and reaction time. People taking schisandra scored better on tests of attention, accuracy and reaction time. Lab studies suggest it changes how the brain uses energy. Study sizes and doses are not recorded in our file.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Running out of steam during hard exercise
  Early evidence — controlled human trials, first run by Soviet-era sports scientists. In those trials, people took longer to reach exhaustion. Blood markers of muscle stress were lower. The trial sizes and doses are not listed in our file.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Feeling tired and worn out
  Early evidence — modern human trials, sizes and doses not on file. People in these trials felt less wiped out after demanding tasks. In lab studies, schisandra lignans helped cells make energy more efficiently. Our file does not record how many people took part.
  Evidence grade C · Traditional tier T3
• Stress and burnout during a long hard stretch
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — indirect human evidence drawn from fatigue studies, no dedicated stress trial on file. Schisandra is called an adaptogen, a herb said to steady the body's own stress response. Our file holds no trial that measured stress hormones in people. Reports of steadier mood come from the fatigue studies above.
  Evidence grade D · Traditional tier T3
• Restless mind at bedtime and poor sleep
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — traditional use in Chinese herbal formulas, no human sleep trial on file. Chinese formulas have long used schisandra to calm the mind at night. Our file holds no human sleep study. Its mild calming quality at usual doses has not been tested in a sleep trial.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3
• Anxiety and feeling easily rattled
  Long traditional use · not yet tested in trials — tradition plus early laboratory work, no human anxiety trial on file. In Chinese medicine, schisandra is a heart-calming herb for worry and irritability. Early research points to an action on the nervous system. No human anxiety trial is recorded in our file.
  Evidence grade insufficient · Traditional tier T3

What Schisandra chinensis extract has not been shown to do

• No study on file shows that schisandra cures chronic hepatitis or reverses fatty liver disease; the studies tracked blood markers only.
• No study on file shows that it cleanses or flushes toxins out of the body, despite the word detox.
• It does not appear to act on estrogen receptors, so it has not been shown to work the way hormone therapy does.
• No trial on file tested it for primary insomnia, meaning sleep trouble that is not driven by stress.
• It has not been shown to work like a stimulant for a quick lift, and trials did not report jitteriness.
• No trial on file measured stress hormones, so claims about fixing adrenal burnout are not supported here.

How to read this:

Grade A means many matching human trials. B means one good human trial. C means small, early or mixed human studies. D means the human evidence is weak. Insufficient means no human study at all, just lab work or tradition. This page reports what studies found. It is not medical advice, and it is not a list of what you should take. Talk with your doctor, above all if you have liver disease or take other medicines.

What can it help prevent?

There is limited research on the preventive effects of Schisandra chinensis extract. However, some studies suggest that it may have potential benefits for preventing liver damage and cognitive decline.

Which foods are rich in it?

Schisandra chinensis extract is not found in food. However, the fruit of the Schisandra chinensis plant can be eaten as a traditional medicine in some cultures.

What are possible side effects?

Schisandra chinensis extract is generally well-tolerated, but some people may experience mild side effects such as stomach upset, dry mouth, or skin rash. Rarely, it may cause more serious side effects such as liver damage or allergic reactions.

What’s the recommended daily dose?

The recommended daily dose of Schisandra chinensis extract varies depending on the product and the reason for use. In general, a typical dose ranges from 500 to 2,000 mg per day. It is recommended to follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare provider.

How many days does it take to work?

The effects of Schisandra chinensis extract can vary depending on the individual and the condition being treated. Some people may experience benefits within a few days, while others may require several weeks or months of use to see results.

What time of day is best to take it?

There is no specific time of day that is best to take Schisandra chinensis extract. It is recommended to follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare provider.

Is it best to take it with or without food?

Schisandra chinensis extract can be taken with or without food. It is recommended to follow the dosage instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare provider.