Schisandra
Two small trials found greater leg strength after 12 weeks of 1 g a day, with no change in muscle mass. One 36-woman trial reported lower menopausal symptom scores. No trials of liver health or stress were sourced. A related species raised blood levels of tacrolimus and midazolam in healthy men.
- Status
- Dietary supplement in the US. Not FDA-approved for any condition.
- Also called
- Schisandra chinensis, schizandra, omija, five-flavor berry, wu wei zi, schisandrin
- Taken for
- liver health, stress, fatigue, energy, endurance, muscle strength, menopause
Strong several reviews agree · Moderate one review or consistent trials · Limited one or a few small studies · Untested no study in people, listed with what it rests on
Shown to help4
- LimitedSmall trials found more knee strength over 12 weeks in adults over 50 and postmenopausal women, with no change in muscle mass.
- LimitedOne small trial found fewer menopause symptoms, mostly hot flushes, sweating and palpitations, in women aged 40 to 70.
- LimitedLimited evidence: a review of Soviet-era research reports clinical trials in asthenia and stress protection in animals, without figures in its summary.
- LimitedLimited evidence: a review of Soviet-era studies reports more endurance and working capacity in healthy people and in animals, without figures in its summary.
What people take it for, and what was found
Shown to help4
Muscle strength
Small trials found more knee strength over 12 weeks in adults over 50 and postmenopausal women, with no change in muscle mass.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- After 12 weeks of 1 g a day with regular walking, right knee extensor strength rose 10.2 Nm more than placebo (95% CI 3.7 to 16.8) and left 6.7 Nm more (95% CI 0.3 to 13.1). Muscle mass, inflammatory and antioxidant markers and quality of life did not differ [1]. In postmenopausal women on 1,000 mg a day for 12 weeks, quadriceps strength and resting lactate showed significant group by time interactions, while muscle mass and other measures did not [2].
- Population
- 54 adults over 50 with relatively low muscle mass [1]. 45 postmenopausal women, mean age 61.9 [2].
- Sources
- [1], [2]
- Caveats
- Two small trials. Neither tested athletes or exercise performance.
Menopausal symptoms
One small trial found fewer menopause symptoms, mostly hot flushes, sweating and palpitations, in women aged 40 to 70.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- Total Kupperman Index scores were lower on a Schisandra chinensis extract than on placebo when analyzed by group and time (p 0.042), mostly for hot flushes, sweating and palpitations [3].
- Population
- 36 women aged 40 to 70 who completed 6 weeks of treatment and 12 weeks of follow-up [3].
- Sources
- [3]
- Caveats
- One small trial of one branded extract (BMO-30).
Stress and fatigue
Limited evidence: a review of Soviet-era research reports clinical trials in asthenia and stress protection in animals, without figures in its summary.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A review of research from the former USSR reports that animal studies found Schisandra protected against a broad range of stressors, including heat, cold, immobilization and low air pressure, and that numerous clinical trials reported benefit in asthenia, neurosis and astheno-depressive states. In healthy people it altered nitric oxide and cortisol levels in blood and saliva [7].
- Population
- Animal studies and clinical trials in the former USSR, reviewed [7].
- Sources
- [7]
- Caveats
- A narrative review, largely of older Russian-language studies. Its abstract gives no trial sizes, comparison groups or effect sizes [7]. No recent placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra alone for stress or fatigue was located.
Energy and endurance
Limited evidence: a review of Soviet-era studies reports more endurance and working capacity in healthy people and in animals, without figures in its summary.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- The same review reports that Schisandra increased physical working capacity in animal studies, and in healthy people increased endurance, accuracy of movement, mental performance and working capacity [7]. In a 12-week trial in postmenopausal women, resting lactate, a fatigue-related marker, changed differently on Schisandra than on placebo [2].
- Population
- Animal studies and studies in healthy people in the former USSR, reviewed [7]. 45 postmenopausal women [2].
- Sources
- [7], [2]
- Caveats
- A narrative review of older studies, with no trial sizes or effect sizes in its abstract [7]. The lactate result was one measure among several in a small trial, and endurance itself was not tested [2].
Claimed, not studied in people1
Liver health
Not studied in people. In 54 animal studies of liver injury, Schisandra compounds lowered the liver enzymes ALT and AST and markers of inflammation.
No study in people. This rests on animal studies, documented traditional use.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- A 2025 meta-analysis of 54 animal studies of liver injury found Schisandra chinensis compounds lowered ALT (SMD -4.74, 95% CI -5.42 to -4.06), AST (SMD -5.10, 95% CI -5.84 to -4.37) and alkaline phosphatase, lowered TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β, and raised the antioxidants SOD and glutathione. The review notes more than 2,000 years of use in traditional Chinese medicine [6].
- Population
- Animal models of liver injury in 54 studies [6].
- Sources
- [6]
- Caveats
- Animal studies with very high heterogeneity (I² above 90%), and the effects varied with species, compound, injury model and dose [6]. No trial of Schisandra alone for liver health in people was located.
Doses studied
The strength trials used 1 g of extract a day for 12 weeks [1][2]. The menopause trial gave an extract for 6 weeks, and the dose is not stated in the abstract [3]. The drug interaction studies gave Schisandra sphenanthera extract, three capsules twice a day, for 7 or 13 days [4][5].
Risks
Reported risks1
Drug interactions
Small studies found a related species, Schisandra sphenanthera, more than doubled blood levels of tacrolimus and midazolam in healthy men.
The numbers and sources
- Effect
- After 13 days of Schisandra sphenanthera extract, tacrolimus exposure (AUC) rose 164.2% (95% CI 70.1 to 258.4) and peak level 227.1% [4]. After 7 days, midazolam AUC rose 119.4% (95% CI 83.9 to 155.0) and peak level 85.6% [5]. The authors describe the extract as a CYP3A inhibitor [5].
- Population
- 12 healthy men in each study [4][5].
- Sources
- [4], [5]
- Caveats
- These studies used Schisandra sphenanthera, a related species, not Schisandra chinensis. Each compared the same men before and after the extract.
Checked, no increase found1
Adverse events in trials
One small trial found no adverse events over 12 weeks in adults over 50.
Sources
- Cho YH, Lee SY, Lee CH, et al. Effect of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extracts and regular low-intensity exercise on muscle strength and mass in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/nqaa447
- Park J, Han S, Park H. Effect of Schisandra Chinensis Extract Supplementation on Quadriceps Muscle Strength and Fatigue in Adult Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17072475
- Park JY, Kim KH. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms. Climacteric. 2016. https://doi.org/10.1080/13697137.2016.1238453
- Xin HW, Wu XC, Li Q, et al. Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2007. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02922.x
- Xin HW, Wu XC, Li Q, et al. Effects of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on the pharmacokinetics of midazolam in healthy volunteers. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2009. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2125.2009.03383.x
- Huang BH, Lv BH, Wu DJ, et al. Efficacy of Schisandra chinensis in liver injury: a systematic review and preclinical meta-analysis. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1627081
- Panossian A, Wikman G. Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: an overview of Russian research and uses in medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.04.020