Schisandra is a deep medicine for supporting a full body system, used traditionally as a Chinese Herbal Medicine, much of the understanding of this herb comes from this tradition.

Schisandra is a primary adaptogen that is also uniquely affiliated to the kidneys and the lungs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is a different model and understanding of what each organ does and how they connect. TCM has its own philosophy and understanding of bodily systems that has been built up over thousands of years of observation. In TCM the kidneys are very closely linked with the lungs, in the understanding of this the kidneys help the lungs to fully inhale. Where someone is experiencing difficultly taking a full breath this indicates weakness in the kidneys (1).

Schisandra has a potent anti-inflammatory action whilst being specifically anti-asthmatic making it particularly useful for asthmatics or those with weak lung function, where symptoms may be wheezing and productive coughing (1, 3). This would include chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (1).

As an adaptogen (a herb that supports the systems most effected by high stress hormones) schisandra is nourishing for anyone experiencing chronic or long term exposure to stress hormones. High levels of stress hormones cause a wide range of health problems. Schisandra is specifically helpful where there are stress induced palpitations, anxiety, deficient insomnia and bad dreams (1, 3, 5).

In TCM, schisandra is used to ‘astringe the jing’. In practice this is applied where there is excess of secretions such as diarrhoea, frequent urination, leucorrhoea or excess discharge and premature ejaculation. It is also used for excess sweating, such as in menopause, night sweats often used in combination with Astragalus and Chinese dogwood.

Schisandra is a powerful adaptogen that supports the nervous, immune and endocrine systems. It is herb that has a gently stimulating effect on the central nervous system, enhancing reflexes, work performance, focus and mental clarity whilst it is also specific for those who are afflicted with the mental troubles such as anxiety.

In TCM, schisandra is believed to calm the Shen (the spiritual element of a person’s psyche). This action makes schisandra an effective medicine to use where a patient is experiencing stress induced palpitations, anxiety, deficient insomnia and bad dreams (1).

Schisandra has been used for millennia in ancient Chinese medicine, where it is still a highly revered anti-aging tonic. Traditionally this herb is thought to promote longevity and TCM this herb is used widely as a life-long medicine to optimise health. It was first written about in the first century BC in China’s first herbal Encyclopedia, Shen Nong’s Materia Medica, where it was listed as a Superior Herb. Though Schisandra is believed to benefit all systems of the body with its dynamic full range of the five tastes it is said to benefit all the five yin organs; the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs and spleen.

Schisandra is frequently featured in ancient Chinese art as the symbol of beauty and longevity, some even to suggest immortality. In one painting, Magu, the goddess of beauty and eternal youth, is shown serving a tray of schisandra, reishi (the herb of immortality) and a “peach of longevity” to her immortal allies. Magu is said to forever appear the age of eighteen.

In Japan, Schisandra is known as Gomishi and is used for people with weakness in the lungs, often displaying symptoms such as cough; weakness; excess phlegm and ‘hood vertigo’ (a feeling of congestion and constriction around the head).

The Russians first classified Schisandra as an adaptogen in the Russian Pharmacopeia for its ability to assist the body’s adaptive responses to excess and prolonged stress exposure. The Nanai (Siberian) hunters used the herb to improve stamina and the tough hunting conditions with long, cold days and nights, and scarce food and water.

Nervous system

As mentioned previously schisandra is a nourishing medicine for the nervous system, and therefore can help with managing acute and chronic stress. As stress can manifest in so many ways schisandra can potentially help with anxiety, insomnia, irritability and low mood where stress is the root cause. It is important to note that these symptoms can also be due to other factors, and a clinical herbalist can help decipher the root cause and give a precise and personalized herbal prescription.
Schisandra may also be used where cognitive enhancement is required, to improve memory or to enhance brain function as a neuroprotective medicine (6).

Immune system

Schisandra is a deep immune activator (4) that is used where low immune function is caused by prolonged exposure to stress hormones. Schisandra enhances the function of the non-specific endocrine mediated immune system. The non-specific part of the immune system is most affected by stress and is inhibited by chronic anxiety, depression, anger and fear (1). Prolonged exposure to stress hormones is well known to reduce the immune function and may be induced where a patient is highly susceptible to viral infections (1, 5). Patients may be more susceptible to immune deficiency syndrome or chronic fatigue.

Digestive system

Herbalists often focus on liver function, as the liver is a hugely important organ that process and detoxes all of the blood supply from the digestive tract whilst also metabolising and storing nutrients. The liver is often indicated in treatment of inflammatory conditions.

Schisandra is hepatoprotective, and has been show to regenerate hepatocytes and increase hepatic glutathione which is an essential liver antioxidant. Schisandra berries also offer effective liver protection against chemical and drug induced liver damage, whilst assisting with healing of any existing damage (1, 2, 3, 4).

By the same mechanism Schisandra may also be indicated for cases of cirrhosis and hepatitis both for its wide antioxidant benefits and action on the nonspecific immune function (1, 2, 3).
There may also be a case for applying Schisandra where there are food sensitivities / allergies caused by poor liver function, to help improve hepatic surveillance and detoxification (2).

Respiratory system

It is frequently used in TCM where the kidneys are not grasping the lung qi. In Chinese medicine the kidneys are very closely linked with the lungs, in the understanding of this the kidneys help the lungs to fully inhale. Where someone is experiencing difficultly taking a full breath this indicates weakness in the kidneys.

Schisandra has a potent anti-inflammatory action whilst being specifically anti-asthmatic making it particularly useful for asthmatics or those with weak lung function, where symptoms may be wheezing and productive coughing (1, 3). This would include chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, though for chronic, dangerous and complex conditions it is wise to see a herbalist(1).

Reproductive system

Schisandra is useful for the excess of secretions such as in leucorrhoea or excess vaginal discharge or premature ejaculation. It is also used for excess sweating, such as in menopause, night sweats often used in combination with Astragalus and Chinese dogwood for this application (1).

Schisandra may be of use in hormonal conditions where poor liver function leads of higher levels of hormones in circulation. Schisandra enhances the liver function and therefore acceleraties the breakdown of hormones. Therefore, schisandra may be used as a conjunctive approach along with other herbs such as for PMS, endometriosis and oestrogen excess (2).

Skin

Schisandra is a well known anti-aging and revitalising tonic used within external preparations for the skin. Schisandra is sometimes used within a blend for its toning and soothing properties. It makes an excellent anti-aging and revitalising tonic given its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. The same may be applied for wound-healing, reducing dilatation of blood vessels and restoring the skin protective barrier (5).

Cellular health

A systematic review of schisandra extracts and its bioactive compounds puts forward a unanimous finding that explains how it helps to restore impaired mitochondrial functions, acting as mitoprotective agent. The review concludes on a number of studies that Schisandra and a number of its active compounds show potent antioxidant activity. Schisandra compounds scavenge ROS (reactive oxygen species – molecules that cause the degradation of cells and tissues) directly. It also activates the cellular antioxidant defence system components, and inhibits pro-oxidant enzymes, thus suppressing inflammation signal transduction pathways and protecting them from apoptosis (programmed cell death). Schisandra’s bioactive compounds decrease the levels of liver function markers, block pro-oxidant enzyme activities, suppress inflammation, and exert anticancer effects, activating apoptosis and autophagy in cancer cells (5).

Nervous system

A systematic review of studies using various cell line models and neurotoxicity induction methods to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of lignans revealed that schisandra lignans show neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties through various mechanisms such as anti-apoptosis, inhibiting mRNA and protein expressions of inflammatory mediators, antioxidative actions, and modulating different signalling pathways (6).

Menopause

A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial where women between the ages of 40 and 70 years who complained of menopausal symptoms were randomly assigned to treatment with either an extract from Schisandra chinensis (BMO-30) or placebo. Results were measured by the Kupperman Index (KI). Treatments continued over a period of 6 weeks and results were followed for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was the mean interval change in KI score from baseline to week 12. Laboratory studies and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) were also included as secondary measures focusing on score for sexual and bladder problems. The study concluded that BMO-30 from schisandra can be a safe and effective complementary medicine for menopausal symptoms, especially for hot flushes, sweating, and heart palpitations (8).

Obesity

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 28 obese women were given schisandra extract or placebo. The study was conducted over a period of 12 weeks. Anthropometry, blood and faecal sampling were performed before and after treatment. Gut microbiota in faeces were analysed using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Although the values did not differ significantly between the 2 groups, the schisandra extract group tended to show a greater decrease in waist circumference, fat mass, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase than the placebo group. The study showed that Bacteroides and Bacteroidetes were both increased by SCF. The study concluded that Schisandra extract was able to modulate the gut microbiota composition in Korean obese women, and significant correlations with some bacterial genera and metabolic parameters were noted. However, further research is needed to identify better parameters for the dosing of Schisandra for this application using different dosage and over different time spans (7).

Schisandra is native to northern and northeastern China (Mongolia) and far eastern Russia. Usually found in mixed forest margins with dappled sunlight on the banks of a sandy brook or stream.

Schisandra is not yet included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants database, however there are reports of it being over-harvested from the wild and it now being endangered therefore it is best to buy from suppliers who grow it and can explain their sustainability processes if they are harvesting from the wild

Habitat loss and over harvesting from the wild are two of the biggest threats faced by medicinal plant species. There are an increasing number of well known herbal medicines at risk of extinction. We must therefore ensure that we source our medicines with sustainability in mind.

The herb supplement industry is growing at a rapid rate and until recent years a vast majority of medicinal plant produce in global trade was of unknown origin. There are some very real and urgent issues surrounding sustainability in the herb industry. These include environmental factors that effect the medicinal viability of herbs, the safety of the habitats that they are taken from, as well as the welfare of workers in the trade.

The botanical supply chain efforts for improved visibility (transparency and traceability) into verifiably sustainable production sites around the world is now certificated through the emergence of credible international voluntary sustainability standards (VSS). Read our article on sustainable sourcing of herbs to learn more about what to look for and questions to ask suppliers about sustainability.

Herbal Medicines are often extremely safe to take, however it is important to supply herbal medicines from a reputed supplier. Sometimes herbs bought from unreputable sources are contaminated, adulterated or substituted with incorrect plant matter.

Some important markers for quality to look for would be to look for certified organic labelling, ensuring that the correct scientific / botanical name is used and that suppliers states clearly the source of ingredients used in the product.

A supplier should also be able to tell you where the herbs have come from. There is more space for contamination and adulteration where supply chain is unknown.

Schisandra can be grown from seed although it is difficult to germinate and slow to get started. The seeds also require cold stratification, which is the process of treating seeds prior to sowing to replicate the winter conditions that they would have experienced in their native habitat. Young vines are sometimes found in specialist garden centres.

• Seedlings and young vines should be planted outdoors in the spring when any danger of frost has passed. Preferably located in partial shade, they do not fare well in full sun and will likely be unsuccessful in full shade.
• Soil should be well-drained and slightly acidic. Schisandra will not grow in clay soils. Schisandra thrives best in a slightly acidic soil, Optimal soil pH is 5.0 – 6.0. Place the root ball about 2 inches into the soil, it should be completely covered and gently firmed in.
• Space plants 3 to 5 inches apart and be sure to have at least one male and one female in order to get fruit.
• They are not self pollinating so at least two plants will be needed to produce fruit, one male one female, ideally if you are growing multiple plants, one male is needed for every 3 or 4 females. Berries start to appear by the second season, sometimes the 3rd.

1. Winston, D. and Maimes, S. (2019). Adaptogens : herbs for strength, stamina, and stress relief. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press.
2. Bone, K. and Mills, S. (2013). Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy: Modern Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. Edinburgh Churchill Livingstone, Elsevier.
3. Menzies-Trull, C. (2013). Herbal medicine keys to physiomedicalism including pharmacopoeia. Newcastle: Faculty Of Physiomedical Herbal Medicine (Fphm).
4. Hoffman, D. (2003). Medical Herbalism: The Science Principles and Practices Of Herbal Medicine. Hardback (1st Edition). Independently published
5. Kopustinskiene D.M, Bernatoniene.J. Antioxidant Effects of Schisandra chinensis Fruits and Their Active Constituents. MDPI Antioxidants. Published. 18 Apr 2021. Available on: https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar_url?url=https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/10/4/620/pdf&hl=en&sa=X&ei=DvdHY6TgEoW7ywThvYWgCQ&scisig=AAGBfm0D0vaymIK-ZN22fTde39TJH9JfCQ&oi=scholarr.
6. Sowndhararajan, K., Deepa, P., Kim, M., Park, S.J. and Kim, S. (2018). An overview of neuroprotective and cognitive enhancement properties of lignans from Schisandra chinensis. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, [online] 97, pp.958– doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.10.145.
7. Song, M., Wang, J., Eom, T. and Kim, H. (2015). Schisandra chinensis fruit modulates the gut microbiota composition in association with metabolic markers in obese women: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study. Nutrition Research, 35(8), pp.655– doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2015.05.001.
8. 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– doi:10.1080/13697137.2016.1238453.