tuneTypical Dose
Match only to a standardized clinical-trial extract rather than generic schisandra products
Adaptogen
Schisandra
Schisandra chinensis
Evidence TierDWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
The main human trial followed outcomes across 12 weeks.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Schisandra has limited direct human evidence, with its clearest clinical signal in menopausal symptom relief rather than broad stress-resilience or liver-support claims.
Schisandra is often marketed as an adaptogen and liver tonic, but the direct human evidence is much thinner than the marketing suggests. The clearest randomized clinical signal is a small trial in menopausal symptoms. Outside that, most claims rely on traditional use, preclinical work, or multi-herb protocols rather than strong standalone human studies.
Schisandra is usually discussed through lignans and stress-protective or hepatoprotective mechanisms, but the direct human evidence is sparse and does not validate those broad mechanistic claims clinically.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Possible improvement in menopausal symptoms with a standardized extract
Secondary Outcomes
- Weak support for broad adaptogen or liver-support positioning
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
- Using it instead of established treatment for significant menopausal symptoms or liver disease
Side effects
- Mild GI upset
Interactions
No entries provided
Avoid if
- You are expecting validated liver-protective efficacy
- You cannot verify extract standardization
Evidence
Study-level References
sch-SRC-001Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newPark JY, Kim KH. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms. Climacteric. 2016;19(6):574-580. doi:10.1080/13697137.2016.1238453. PMID:27763802.
Population: Women aged 40 to 70 years with menopausal symptoms.
Dose protocol: Standardized Schisandra chinensis extract BMO-30 for 12 weeks
Key findings: Improved total menopausal symptom burden versus placebo, especially hot flushes, sweating, and palpitations.
Notes: Best direct human anchor.
Paper content
This is the clearest direct human Schisandra trial. It supports a possible role in menopausal symptom relief, especially hot flushes and sweating, but the sample was small and the evidence is confined to one standardized extract. That is not enough to validate broad liver-support or adaptogen claims.
sch-SRC-002Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newCho YH, Lee SY, Lee CH, Park JH, So YS. 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. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021;113(6):1440-1446. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqaa447. PMID:33710261.
Population: Older adults aged 50 years and above.
Dose protocol: Schisandra chinensis extract vs placebo with low-intensity exercise for 12 weeks in older adults.
Key findings: Improved knee extensor strength (10.2 Nm right, 6.7 Nm left) vs placebo. No difference in muscle mass.
Notes: Published in Am J Clin Nutr. Adds a second independent human outcome domain beyond menopause.
Paper content
This well-designed double-blind RCT published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition tested Schisandra chinensis extract in older adults performing low-intensity walking exercise for 12 weeks. The Schisandra group showed significantly greater gains in knee extensor strength (10.2 Nm right, 6.7 Nm left) compared to placebo, but no difference in muscle mass. The study provides a new human data point for Schisandra beyond the single menopausal symptom trial, suggesting a potential role in supporting muscle strength in aging populations. The mechanism may relate to Schisandra lignans' effects on mitochondrial function and inflammation. Published in a high-quality nutrition journal, this trial is methodologically stronger than most Schisandra human studies.
sch-SRC-003Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newKim DS, Baek HI, Ha KC, Cha YS, Park SJ. Efficacy and safety of Omija (Schisandra chinensis) extract mixture on the improvement of hyperglycemia: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial. Nutrients. 2022;14(15):3159. doi:10.3390/nu14153159. PMID:35956334.
Population: Adults with fasting glucose 100-140 mg/dL.
Dose protocol: Schisandra-soybean extract mixture vs placebo for 12 weeks in 80 adults with elevated fasting glucose.
Key findings: Decreased fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, insulin AUC, fructosamine, and LDL cholesterol.
Notes: Combination product (Schisandra + soybean) limits clean attribution to Schisandra alone.
Paper content
This double-blind RCT tested an Omija (Schisandra chinensis)-soybean extract mixture (OSM) in 80 adults with impaired fasting glucose for 12 weeks. The OSM group showed significant decreases in fasting glucose, postprandial glucose, insulin AUC, fructosamine, and LDL cholesterol compared to placebo. The combination formulation (Schisandra plus soybean) means that effects cannot be attributed to Schisandra alone, which limits its value as standalone Schisandra evidence. However, the study does provide a signal for metabolic benefit from a Schisandra-containing preparation. The blood sugar improvements are meaningful and the double-blind design is well-executed.