Omnia Sana · Plant Monograph
Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
This monograph compiles 2 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, supported by 14 cited sources, drawn directly from the Omnia Sana plant database.
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
more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →Cognitive-function support (concentration and mental performance)
more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →inferred from hepatoprotective action
more plants for detox / cleansing →detailed sources →Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
more plants for fatigue / low energy →detailed sources →Relieves menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, sweating and palpitations (RCT)
more plants for hot flashes →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →Hepatoprotective / liver support (antioxidant and mitoprotective)
more plants for liver support →detailed sources →Relieves menopausal symptoms - hot flushes, sweating and palpitations (RCT)
more plants for menopause →detailed sources →inferred from ergogenic action
more plants for muscle soreness →detailed sources →inferred from anti-inflammatory action
more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →Adaptogen for fatigue and stress (improves stamina and resistance to physical and mental stressors)
more plants for stress →detailed sources →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.
References
REF-1877, REF-1878, REF-0505, REF-1879, REF-1880, REF-1881, REF-1882, REF-1883, REF-1884, REF-1885, REF-1886References & 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. Meta-analysis / review
Find this source - 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 - 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
Generated June 22, 2026 from omniasana.bio