Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)
Photo: Pixabay
- Digestive
- 4 conditions
- Licensed photo
Overview
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), also known as wu wei zi (“5-flavored herb”), is a woody vine that can grow up to 26 ft (8 m). It has pink blossoms and clusters of bright red berries, which are used in traditional Chinese medicine for liver conditions and as a tonic for vitality. MSK says only a small number of human studies exist and they are too limited to draw conclusions.
Traditional uses & properties
Tonic (traditional use): Traditionally taken as a tonic for vitality and fatigue; MSK says human studies are too limited to draw conclusions. Liver (traditional use): Used in TCM for liver conditions, although MSK describes the small human studies, including in hepatitis, as inconclusive. Cough (traditional use): Used in traditional Chinese medicine for some lung symptoms; MSK says clinical trials have not been conducted.
Safety & precautions
Acute Infections: Avoid taking when suffering from colds, flu, or fevers. Excessive Use: May cause insomnia and anxiety if used long term or at high doses. Medication Interactions: Consult professional advice if on medication, as schisandra can affect liver enzyme activity.
Educational reference only - not medical advice. Herbs can interact with medications. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Full disclaimer.
Drug interactions
The clearest signal is with the transplant drug tacrolimus. [1, 2]
- Tacrolimus
- In liver transplant patients given an extract of a related species, Schisandra sphenanthera, tacrolimus blood levels rose markedly. MSK reports the same effect for schisandra. [1, 2]
- Medicines broken down by CYP3A4, CYP3A5 or CYP1A2
- Laboratory and animal studies suggest inhibition, and long-term use may instead induce CYP3A4. Relevance is undetermined. [2]
- P glycoprotein substrates
- Laboratory and human studies cited by MSK suggest schisandra can inhibit this transporter. [2]
How to read this section: each entry is HerbMate's summary of what the cited sources report. Words such as "may", "theoretical" or "in laboratory or animal studies" mean the effect has not been confirmed in people, and "case report" means it was seen in one or a few patients. A medicine that is not listed here has not been shown to be safe with this herb. The numbers in brackets link to the sources at the foot of the page.
Habitat
Cultivated primarily in northeastern China, schisandra prefers sunny conditions. The berries are collected fully ripe in autumn. Related species are similarly used in traditional East Asian medicine.
Sources
The interaction notes and the statements on this page that name a source were written by HerbMate from these references, which were last checked in October 2026. They are summaries, not medical advice; ask a pharmacist about your own medicines.
Traditionally used for
- Liver Support10 herbs · 2 free
- Low Sex Drive4 herbs · 2 free
- Erectile Disfunction6 herbs · 2 free
- Stress13 herbs · 2 free
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Frequently asked questions
What is Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) traditionally used for?
Traditional sources describe Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) as follows: Tonic (traditional use): Traditionally taken as a tonic for vitality and fatigue; MSK says human studies are too limited to draw conclusions. Liver (traditional use): Used in TCM for liver conditions, although MSK describes the small human studies, including in hepatitis, as inconclusive. Cough (traditional use): Used in traditional Chinese medicine for some lung symptoms; MSK says clinical trials have not been conducted.
What safety cautions apply to Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)?
Acute Infections: Avoid taking when suffering from colds, flu, or fevers. Excessive Use: May cause insomnia and anxiety if used long term or at high doses. Medication Interactions: Consult professional advice if on medication, as schisandra can affect liver enzyme activity.
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