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Sch8.5
Schisandra Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
35 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Schisandra appears to help in 4 of 4 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2026 with a typical study size of 54 participants.
Based on 35 studies · 4 meta-analyses · 16 RCTs · 3,151 total participants
Energy & fatigueAdaptogenic lignans reduce fatigue and improve work capacity · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational6 studies
Safety profile
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Endurance & exercise performance
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies2 studies
Anxiety & stressBetter stress adaptation and resilience · 2-4 weeks · Enhanced resilience to physical and mental stressors · 2-4 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Women's healthMay help manage menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and mood changes · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies1 study
Therapeutic & clinical
Too few graded studies1 study
Sleep & insomnia
Too few graded studies1 study
Neuroprotection & brain aging
Too few graded studies1 study
By the numbers
Pulled from 23 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
100%
across studies
People studied
3,151
typical study: 54 people
Strongest designs
20
4 pooled, 16 randomised
Showed benefit
100%
4/4 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
2
1–3 months
2
3+ months
2
Populations Studied
Chronic urticaria patients2
Insomnia patients1
Overweight and obese individuals1
Neuroinflammation patients1
Active research area
19 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200520152026
1Treatment of chronic urticaria symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 1×n=1,192 · large study2025
TCM has great advantages in the treatment of CU, can effectively improve the symptoms, the curative effect is stable and safe, but there are still some deficiencies in the standardization of curative effect evaluation.
Chen R et al. · Medicine (2025)
TCM has great advantages in the treatment of CU, can effectively improve the symptoms, the curative effect is stable and safe, but there are still some deficiencies in the standardization of curative effect evaluation.
The study provides robust evidence that certain herbal medicines may offer effective and safe alternatives for managing insomnia, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional pharmacological interventions.
Li W et al. · Medicine (2025)
The study provides robust evidence that certain herbal medicines may offer effective and safe alternatives for managing insomnia, potentially reducing the reliance on conventional pharmacological interventions.
Aim: This mini-review aims to present the anti-neuroinflammatory potential of the most important plants classified as adaptogens: Schisandra chinensis, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Rhodiola rosea and Withania somnifera.
Wróbel-Biedrawa D et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2024)
Because of the specific nature of the brain, this process is called neuroinflammation, and its suppression can result in an improvement of patients' condition and may promote their recovery.
Adaptogens as anti-inflammatory agents: As has been discovered, adaptogens display anti-inflammatory effects, which suggests that their application may be broader than previously thought.
They regulate gene expression of anti- and proinflammatory cytokines (prostaglandins, leukotriens) and can modulate signaling pathways (e.g., NF-κB).
SCPs are mainly composed of glucose, mannose, rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid and arabinose.
Ji R et al. · International journal of biological macromolecules (2024)
SCPs are mainly composed of glucose, mannose, rhamnose, galactose, galacturonic acid and arabinose.
This article aims to provide a systematic review of the research progress in the extraction and separation methods, structural characterization, and biological activity of SCPs both domestically and internationally in recent years.
This deeply explores the pharmacological activity and action mechanism of SCPs, and provides a certain point of reference for the research and clinical application of SC.
This systematic-review examined the effects of Schisandra.
Chan WJ et al. · Cancer chemotherapy and pharmacology (2023)
Clinical studies investigating pharmacokinetic interactions provide evidence that negative treatment outcomes may occur when Hypericum perforatum, Grapefruit, Schisandra sphenanthera, Curcuma longa or Hydrastis canadensis are taken concurrently with common cancer treatments.
Conversely, pharmacodynamic interactions between Hangeshashinto (TJ-14) and some cancer treatments have been shown to reduce the side effects of diarrhoea and oral mucositis.
In summary, research in this area is limited and requires further investigation.
Only a few studies have been specifically designed to assess how herbal preparations affect MGBA-related targets or pathways.
Pferschy-Wenzig EM et al. · Nutrients (2022)
Only a few studies have been specifically designed to assess how herbal preparations affect MGBA-related targets or pathways.
However, many studies provide hints of a possible interaction with the MGBA, such as an increased abundance of health-beneficial microorganisms, anti-inflammatory effects, or MGBA-related pathway effects by gut microbial metabolites.
Data for Panax ginseng, Schisandra chinensis, and Salvia rosmarinus indicate that the interaction of their constituents with the gut microbiota could mediate mental health benefits.
In the future, there is great potential to register medicinal products that contain plant adaptogens for therapeutic purposes.
Todorova V et al. · Nutrients (2021)
About 50 years ago, plant adaptogens were first used in professional sports due to their high potential to increase the body's resistance to stress and to improve physical endurance.
Although now many people take plant adaptogens, the clinical trials on human are limited.
The data from the meta-analysis showed that plant adaptogens could provide a number of benefits in the treatment of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune protection.
Furthermore, patients who are already undergoing TAC treatment should be informed about the possibility of dangerous interactions between herbal remedies and TAC.
Abushammala I · Die Pharmazie (2021)
TAC's interactions with herbal extracts are reviewed here, because with more people using TAC, it is becoming crucial to know which extracts, which are often part of self-medication, can alter TAC blood concentrations.
Thus, physicians and pharmacists should thoroughly educate their patients regarding the use of supplemental herbs before administering TAC.
Furthermore, patients who are already undergoing TAC treatment should be informed about the possibility of dangerous interactions between herbal remedies and TAC.
10Systematic ReviewCited 28×2021
This review systematically summarized literatures on the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, development utilization, and clinical application of S. sphenanthera, in hopes of provide a useful reference for researchers for further studies of this plant.
Huang S et al. · The American journal of Chinese medicine (2021)
In present studies, approximately 310 natural constituents have been isolated from S. sphenanthera, including lignans, triterpenes, volatile oils, and polysaccharides, which were mainly obtained from the fruits and stems of S. sphenanthera.
Pharmocological studies have shown that the extracts and monomeric compounds of S. sphenanthera possessed wide-range bioactivities, such as antitumor, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, osteoblastic, immune regulation, neuroprotective, kidney protection, hepatoprotective, and antiviral activities.
However, resource availability, quality control measures, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study, and clinical application are still insufficient and deserve further studies.
Additionally, some of these lignans also showed certain potentials in anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and other effects.
Zhou Y et al. · European journal of pharmacology (2021)
Additionally, some of these lignans also showed certain potentials in anti-cancer, anti-fibrosis, and other effects.
In the current review, we summarize literature reported lignans from S. chinensis in the past five years, and highlight the molecular mechanisms of lignans in exerting their biological functions.
Also, we point out some deficiencies of existing researches and discuss the future direction of lignans study.
13General health effectsSystematic ReviewCited 71×2019
First, the constituents responsible for its beneficial effects should be isolated and identified, and recommended as preventative nutritional additives, or considered as therapeutics.
Nowak A et al. · Nutrients (2019)
In food technology, SCE is applied as a preservative, and as an additive to increase the flavour, taste, and nutritional value of food.
In summary, SCE displays a variety of beneficial health effects, with no side effects.
Further research is needed to determine the molecular mechanisms of SCE action.
With more awareness and understanding on potential drug-herb interactions of clopidogrel and TCM, it may be possible to combine clopidogrel with TCM herbs to yield a better therapeutic outcome.
Hu Y et al. · Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis (2019)
Additionally, Schisandra chinensis, Danggui, Gegen and Fufang Danshen Dripping Pill can decrease the AUC or Cmax of the clopidogrel inactive metabolite, while Curcumin on the contrary.
The pharmacodynamics of Panax notoginseng, Notoginsenoside Ft1, Hypericum perforatum, Shexiang baoxin pills, Naoxintong capsule increased the antiplatelet activity compared with clopidogrel alone, while Danshen decreased the platelet inhibition.
In adverse reactions, Danggui can enhance the adverse effects of clopidogrel on the bleeding time.
16Adaptogen effects in mental and behavioral disordersSystematic ReviewCited 44×2013
This article focuses on the most extensively studied adaptogens: Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Schisandra chinensis.
Panossian AG · The Psychiatric clinics of North America (2013)
This article focuses on the most extensively studied adaptogens: Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, and Schisandra chinensis.
Clinical studies, evidence for stress-protective and simulative effects, and molecular mechanisms of action on metabolic and other processes regulated by the neuroendocrine system are discussed.
17Fatigue reduction and liver function improvementRCTCited 8×n=770 · large study2023
These findings demonstrate that SMS intake can reduce ammonia, AST, ALT, and IgM levels, while causing an increase in IgA, which has a positive effect on fatigue reduction, liver function, and immunoglobulins in a high-intensity training or related environment.
Juan S et al. · Journal of immunology research (2023)
High-intensity training was performed at 70%-90% of heart rate reserve, conducted five times weekly for 4 weeks.
Ammonia levels significantly decreased in the SMS group, but there was no difference in the lactic acid levels.
18Hyperglycemia improvementRCTCited 9×n=80 · small study2022
Therefore, it is hypothesized that OSM supplementation is an effective and safe functional food supplement for humans with hyperglycemia.
Kim DS et al. · Nutrients (2022)
After the intervention, the OSM group showed significantly decreased levels of FPG, PPG (30, 60 min), PPI (60 min), insulin area under the curve (AUC), fructosamine, and low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol compared to the placebo group.
The outcomes included measurements of efficacy (fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial glucose (PPG), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), postprandial insulin (PPI), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), C-peptide, fructosamine, and lipid parameters) and safety at baseline and at 12 weeks.
No clinically significant changes in any safety parameter were observed.
20Muscle strength improvementRCTCited 19×n=54 · small study2021
SCe supplementation may enhance skeletal muscle strength but not mass in older adults who perform low-intensity exercise.
Cho YH et al. · The American journal of clinical nutrition (2021)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
SCe supplementation over 12 wk caused a higher increase in right knee extensor strength by 10.2 Nm (95% CI: 3.7, 16.8 Nm; P = 0.003) and left knee extensor strength by 6.7 Nm (95% CI: 0.3, 13.1 Nm; P = 0.041) than did the placebo.
SCe supplementation may enhance skeletal muscle strength but not mass in older adults who perform low-intensity exercise.
This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03402308.