What is the recommended dose of Schisandra?

- **Look for:** Standardized to schisandrin B or total lignans; S. chinensis species; 500-1,000mg per serving - **Avoid:** Non-standardized berry powder; products not specifying species (S. sphenan...

Is Schisandra safe to take daily?

Schisandra is rated "Generally Safe" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Schisandra

MODERATE EVIDENCEAdaptogenLast updated

AVELOR SUMMARY

Schisandra is one of the few herbs classified as an adaptogen in BOTH Chinese medicine and Russian pharmacopoeia. Called "five-flavor berry" (wu wei zi) because it contains all five tastes (sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent), it was used by Soviet-era researchers for military and Olympic performance enhancement. Our research shows schisandrin B (the primary active lignan) has genuine hepatoprotective effects (reduced ALT/AST by 40% in liver disease), anti-fatigue properties (improved endurance in animal studies), and cognitive enhancement (improved accuracy and attention). The adaptogenic classification is well-justified — it modulates cortisol and HPA axis response to stress.

WHAT IT DOES

Schisandra lignans (schisandrin A, B, C; schisantherin; gomisin) work through: (1) Nrf2 activation — master regulator of Phase II detoxification, inducing glutathione synthesis and antioxidant enzyme expression (hepatoprotective); (2) HPA axis modulation — normalizes cortisol response (reduces excessive cortisol while maintaining baseline — classic adaptogenic mechanism); (3) cholinergic enhancement — increases acetylcholine in hippocampus (cognitive effects); (4) mitochondrial support — schisandrin B improves mitochondrial membrane potential and reduces oxidative damage; (5) CYP modulation — inhibits CYP3A4 (drug interaction potential).

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Look for: Standardized to schisandrin B or total lignans; S. chinensis species; 500-1,000mg per serving
Avoid: Non-standardized berry powder; products not specifying species (S. sphenanthera has different lignan profile)
Minimum effective dose: 500mg extract; or 2-10mg schisandrin B
Third-party tested brands: NOW Foods, Nature's Way, Gaia Herbs

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SAFETY PROFILE

Critical Interactions (Do Not Combine Without Medical Supervision)

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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