Chances are you haven't heard of schisandra. But if you have, you may have heard that it helps with everything from fatigue and stress to heart disease and diabetes.
Or it might be just a nice, tasty berry-based supplement that won't hurt you and could give you a bit of an energy boost.
Berries of the schisandra plant have been used in traditional Russian and Chinese medicine for centuries. It's been used to treat coughs, wheezing, excessive sweating, as well as women's health issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome and menopause. Can schisandra really help you? Here are the facts.
What Is Schisandra?
Schisandra is a plant native to northern China. It produces purple-red berries that can be eaten or dried and used in nutritional supplements.
The berries themselves taste sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour all at the same time. So, it's sometimes called the "five-taste berry," and various supplements can reflect that complex flavor.
Why Do People Take Schisandra?
Schisandra may improve your immunity, inflammatory response, and liver function, among other things.
- Cancer. Extracts of schisandra contain compounds that suppress cell proliferation. It may stop the spread of cancers that need estrogen, including breast cancer. And it may reverse the resistance that some cancer cells form against several chemotherapy drugs.
- Aging. Animal studies show that schisandra may slow aging-related muscle loss.
- Infection. Compounds in schisandra may have antimicrobial or antiviral effects.
- Obesity. Animal studies show that schisandra may help with obesity by improving gut bacteria and regulating fat metabolism.
- Alzheimer's disease. It may reduce inflammation in nerves and improve learning and memory. Schisandra may also keep amyloid plaques from forming in the brain, possibly slowing the development of Alzheimer's disease.
- Liver. Schisandra extract lowers the levels of an enzyme that is a marker for liver damage. It may even help liver function if you have hepatitis or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. More research on this is needed.
Schisandra Dosage
Schisandra supplements come in many forms: tablets, tinctures (a concentrated liquid extract), powders, and extracts.
Dosages depend on the form of the supplement:
- 1.5-6 grams per day for powders
- 3 grams in a tablet
- 20-30 drops per day for tinctures
So far, researchers haven't found an optimal dose of schisandra for use in treating any particular condition.
Talk to your doctor if you're thinking about starting to use schisandra as a regular supplement.
Side Effects of Schisandra
Little research has been done on schisandra's side effects or drug interactions. But one study suggests that schisandra may interact with the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) or the anti-anxiety medication alprazolam (Xanax).
The government does not regulate supplements. Be sure to tell your doctor if you're taking schisandra. Some people may get allergic skin reactions or other problems, including lower appetite, stomach pain, heartburn, or acid indigestion.
When to avoid schisandra
You may want to avoid using schisandra if you're pregnant because the fruit might stimulate the uterus and cause contractions. Also, if you're breastfeeding, you might want to skip using schisandra. There isn't enough data to know if it may harm your baby.
If you have epilepsy, reflux, ulcers, or increased pressure in your brain, you may want to avoid using schisandra. Some doctors worry that schisandra might worsen those conditions.
Other potential interactions
Some doctors caution that schisandra may interfere with drugs such as warfarin. It may affect the levels of an immunosuppressant in patients with a liver transplant. It may also raise the blood levels of sildenafil (Viagra) in those taking the medication for erectile dysfunction or pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), as well as several other medications.
Takeaways
- Schisandra can ease stress.
- It comes in various forms, from tablets to powders to tinctures. It has a pleasant taste that mixes salty, sweet, sour, and bitter.
- You may want to avoid taking schisandra supplements if you are pregnant, have liver problems, or are taking medicine for depression or anxiety.
- Schisandra may cause allergic reactions or stomach problems.
- Ask your doctor before taking any supplement.
Schisandra FAQs
Who shouldn't take schisandra?
If you have epilepsy, ulcers, heartburn, acid reflux, or increased brain pressure, you may want to avoid schisandra. Same if you're taking warfarin or certain other drugs.
Always ask your doctor before taking any supplement, as they are not reviewed or approved by the FDA. Ask your pharmacist if a supplement will interfere with any medicine you're already taking.
Does schisandra affect hormones?
Some people in Asia take schisandra during menopause. Animal research found that schisandra acts as a weak phytoestrogen. That means it's a natural compound found in plants that acts similar to the estrogen a woman's body makes. Schisandra extract may help boost testosterone production.
Is schisandra good for the kidneys?
People have taken schisandra to improve kidney function. Animal studies suggest that schisandra may help with some forms of kidney toxicity.