Omnia SanaCommon names in 14 European languages →
The complete database record: 2 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 19 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Deciduous woody climbing vine (liana, Schisandraceae) that can reach several metres, with twining stems and reddish-brown bark. Leaves are alternate, elliptical and glossy. Small, fragrant, pink-white flowers are followed by drooping clusters of small, bright red berries - the 'five-flavour' fruit, said to embody all five traditional flavours: sour, bitter, sweet, pungent and salty.[3]
Habitat & Distribution
Native to north-eastern China, Korea, Japan and the Russian Far East, growing in cool, moist mixed and deciduous forests, often climbing on trees and shrubs along forest edges and riverbanks.[12]
Harvesting
Ripe berries are hand-picked in autumn once they turn deep red, then dried in the sun or by low heat.[3]
Key Constituents
Pharmacological Actions
Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; Hepatoprotective / liver support (antioxidant and mitoprotective)
Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Cognitive-function support (concentration and mental performance)
inferred from hepatoprotective action
Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
Relieves menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, sweating and palpitations (RCT)
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Hepatoprotective / liver support (antioxidant and mitoprotective)
Relieves menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, sweating and palpitations (RCT)
inferred from ergogenic action
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
Traditional Use & History
Schisandra berry ('Wu Wei Zi') has a centuries-old place in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a premier adaptogen and 'astringent' tonic, used to boost energy, sharpen mental focus, and support liver and kidney function. It is one of the classically defined adaptogen herbs, and modern research on its dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans supports antioxidant, hepatoprotective and stress-resistance activity.[3, 12]
Preparations
Dosage
Traditional Chinese Medicine dosing typically uses about 1.5-6 g dried berry per day as a decoction, and standardised extract capsules follow product-specific dosing (commonly a few hundred mg to 1-2 g/day of extract). Educational reference only, not a prescription; because schisandra affects CYP3A/P-glycoprotein drug metabolism, check for interactions with any prescription medicines.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated; mild gastrointestinal upset or heartburn can occur. It affects drug-metabolising enzymes and transporters - inhibition of CYP3A and P-glycoprotein is documented (with enzyme induction also reported on prolonged use) - so there is a real potential to alter the levels of co-administered medicines.
Traditionally avoided in pregnancy (uterine-stimulant reputation) and in epilepsy, peptic ulcer and raised intracranial pressure.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Harvest Readiness
[13]
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Yuan, R., Tao, X., Liang, S., Pan, Y., He, L., Sun, J., Wenbo, J., Li, X., Chen, J. and Wang, C (2018) 'Protective effect of acidic polysaccharide from Schisandra chinensis on acute ethanol-induced liver injury through reducing CYP2E1-dependent oxidative stress', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 99, pp. 537-542. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.079 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.01.079 - Rybnikar, M., Smejkal, K. and Zemlicka, M (2019) 'Schisandra chinensis and its phytotherapeutical applications', Ceska a Slovenska Farmacie, 68(3), pp. 95-118. doi:10.36290/csf.2019.012 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.36290/csf.2019.012 - Kopustinskiene, D.M. and Bernatoniene, J (2021) 'Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active Constituents', Antioxidants. doi:10.3390/antiox10040620 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10040620 - Chan, S (2011) 'Panax ginseng, Rhodiola rosea and Schisandra chinensis', International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 63(Suppl 1), pp. 75-81. doi:10.3109/09637486.2011.627840 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2011.627840 - Zhou, Y., Men, L., Sun, Y., Wei, M. and Fan, X (2020) 'Pharmacodynamic effects and molecular mechanisms of lignans from Schisandra chinensis Turcz. (Baill.), a current review', European Journal of Pharmacology, 892, pp. 173796. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173796 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2020.173796 - Panossian, A. and Wikman, G (2008) 'Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicine', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118(2), pp. 183-212. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.020 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.020 - Lee, Y., Kim, S., Park, E. and Lee, H (2022) 'Anti-arthritic effects of Schisandra chinensis extract in monosodium iodoacetate-induced osteoarthritis rats', Inflammopharmacology, 30(6), pp. 2261-2272. doi:10.1007/s10787-022-01060-5 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10787-022-01060-5 - Yoo, A., Ahn, J., Kim, M.J., Seo, H., Hahm, J., Jung, C.H. and Ha, T.Y (2022) 'Fruit of Schisandra chinensis and its bioactive component schizandrin B ameliorate obesity-induced skeletal muscle atrophy', Food Research International, 157, pp. 111439. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111439 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111439 - Yan, L., Kang, J., Gu, C., Qiu, X., Li, J., Cheng, B.C., Wang, Y., Luo, G. and Zhang, Y (2025) 'Schisandra chinensis lignans ameliorate hepatic inflammation and steatosis in methionine choline-deficient diet-fed mice by modulating the gut-liver axis', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 348, pp. 119801. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2025.119801 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2025.119801 - Wang, S., Li, M., Wu, J., Sun, Y., Pan, J., Guan, W., Naseem, A., Algradi, A.M., Kuang, H., Jiang, Y., Yao, H., He, X., Li, H., Yang, B. and Liu, Y (2024) 'Lignans of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill inhibits Parkinson's disease progression through mediated neuroinflammation-TRPV1 expression in microglia', Phytomedicine, 135, pp. 156146. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156146 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2024.156146 - Sowndhararajan, K., Deepa, P., Kim, M., Park, S.J. and Kim, S (2017) 'An overview of neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties of lignans from Schisandra chinensis', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 97, pp. 958-968. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.145 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.145 - Todorova, V., Ivanov, K., Delattre, C., Nalbantova, V., Karcheva-Bahchevanska, D. and Ivanova, S (2021) 'Plant Adaptogens - History and Future Perspectives', Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu13082861 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082861 - Plants For A Future 'Schisandra chinensis (Magnolia Vine, Five-flavour Berry)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Schisandra+chinensis Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Schisandra+chinensis - Yang, K., Qiu, J., Huang, Z., Yu, Z., Wang, W., Hu, H. and You, Y (2021) 'A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pp. 2021. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114759 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2021.114759 - Park, J.Y. and Kim, K.H (2016) 'A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms', Climacteric, 19(6), pp. 574--580. doi:10.1080/13697137.2016.1238453 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2016.1238453 - Li, J., Chen, S., Qin, X., Fu, Q., Bi, H., Zhang, Y., Wang, X., Liu, L., Wang, C. and Huang, M (2017) 'Wuzhi Tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera Extract) is a Promising Tacrolimus-Sparing Agent for Renal Transplant Recipients Who are CYP3A5 Expressers: a Two-Phase Prospective Study', Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 45(11), pp. 1114-1119. doi:10.1124/dmd.117.076737 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1124/dmd.117.076737 - Qin, X.L., Chen, X., Zhong, G.P., Fan, X.M., Wang, Y., Xue, X.P., Wang, Y., Huang, M. and Bi, H.C (2014) 'Effect of Tacrolimus on the pharmacokinetics of bioactive lignans of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) and the potential roles of CYP3A and P-gp', Phytomedicine, 21(5), pp. 766-772. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2013.12.006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2013.12.006 - Jiang, W., Wang, X., Xu, X. and Kong, L (2010) 'Effect of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the concentration of tacrolimus in the blood of liver transplant patients', International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 48(3), pp. 224-229. doi:10.5414/cpp48224 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.5414/cpp48224 - Xin, H.W., Li, Q., Wu, X.C., He, Y., Yu, A.R., Xiong, L. and Xiong, Y (2011) 'Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the blood concentration of tacrolimus in renal transplant recipients', European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 67(12), pp. 1309-1311. doi:10.1007/s00228-011-1075-7 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00228-011-1075-7
Selected studies & references
All 18 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.