Background
Schisandra is considered an adaptogen. Adaptogens are a class of natural substances that are believed to stimulate the body's resistance to physical, environmental, and emotional stressors. The chemicals in schisandra also improve liver function and might increase energy, which can improve endurance and coordination.
People use schisandra for menopause, exercise performance, pneumonia, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Safety Safety definitions
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Schisandra is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It might cause the uterus to contract, which might lead to miscarriage. Do not use schisandra during pregnancy.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if schisandra is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Effectiveness
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Cyclophosphamide
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down cyclophosphamide. Taking schisandra with cyclophosphamide might increase the effects and side effects of cyclophosphamide.
Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down cyclosporine. Taking schisandra with cyclosporine might increase the effects and side effects of cyclosporine.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C19 (CYP2C19) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Schisandra might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Schisandra might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Schisandra might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-glycoprotein substrates)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Some medications are moved in and out of cells by pumps. Schisandra might change how these pumps work and change how much medication stays in the body. In some cases, this might change the effects and side effects of a medication.
Midazolam
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down midazolam. Taking schisandra along with midazolam might increase the effects and side effects of midazolam.
Sirolimus (Rapamune)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down sirolimus. Taking schisandra along with sirolimus might increase the effects and side effects of sirolimus. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are taking sirolimus.
Tacrolimus (Prograf)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down tacrolimus. Taking schisandra with tacrolimus might increase the amount of tacrolimus in your body and the effects and side effects of tacrolimus. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this combination.
Talinolol
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might increase the amount of talinolol in the body. Taking schisandra while taking talinolol might increase the effects and side effects of talinolol.
Voriconazole (Vfend)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Schisandra might decrease how quickly the body breaks down voriconazole. Taking schisandra with voriconazole might increase the effects and side effects of voriconazole.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin is used to slow blood clotting. Schisandra might increase the breakdown and decrease the effects of warfarin. Decreasing the effects of warfarin might increase the risk of clotting. Be sure to have your blood checked regularly. The dose of your warfarin might need to be changed.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Products
View all products- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 240 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica ext. 400 mg
- Punica granatum ext. 200 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 80 mg
- Citrus bioflavonoids extract 40 mg
- Selenomethionine 149.2 µg equiv. selenium 60 µg
- Angelica polymorpha ext. 400 mg
- Reynoutria japonica ext. 260 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 200 mg
- Zinc citrate dihydrate 37.4 mg equiv. zinc 12 mg
- Chromium picolinate 402.4 µg equiv. chromium 50 µg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 4 µg
- Curcuma longa ext. 300 mg
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 200 mg
- Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) 643 mg
- Brassica oleracea var. italica powder 100 mg
- Silybum marianum ext. 500 mg
- Cynara scolymus ext. 800 mg
- Hordeum vulgare 883 mg
- Chlorella pyrenoidosa powder 100 mg
- Rosmarinus officinalis ext. 50 mg
- Coriandrum sativum powder 50 mg
- Galium aparine ext. 160 mg
- L-glutamine 800 mg
- Trimethylglycine (TMG) 300 mg
- Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) 100 mg
- Calcium D-glucarate 100 mg
- Taurine 60 mg
- L-cysteine 50 mg
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 80 mg
- Magnesium citrate 8 mg
- Zinc citrate 5 mg
- R-alpha lipoic acid 25 mg
- Apple pectin 320 mg
- Natural lemon lime flavour
- Xylitol
- Glycine
- Stevia rebaubiana
- Citric acid anhydrous
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 187.5 mg
- Potassium iodide 190 μg equiv. iodine 145 μg
- Selenomethionine 186 μg equiv. selenium 75 μg
- L-tyrosine 500 mg
- Zinc amino acid chelate 50 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Retinol acetate 431.2 μg equiv. vitamin A 375 μgRE
- Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) 50 mg
- d-alpha-Tocopheryl acid succinate 10.3 mg equiv. vitamin E 12.5 IU
- Bupleurum falcatum ext. 50 mg
- Reduced glutathione 25 mg
- Cholecalciferol 7.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 300 IU
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 150 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 300 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 10 mg
- Pyridoxine hydrochloride (Vitamin B6) 50 mg equiv. pyridoxine 41.1 mg
- Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 5 μg
- Ziziphus jujuba var. spinosa ext. 100 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 25 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 20 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 18.3 mg
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 100 mg
- Rehmannia glutinosa ext. 200 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 160 mg
- Panax quinquefolius ext. 150 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 25 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 1.2 mg equiv. thiamine 1.07 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 1.6 mg equiv. riboflavin 1.22 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 16 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 6 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 5.5 mg equiv. calcium 500 μg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) 1.7 mg equiv. pyridoxine 1.16 mg
- Biotin 30 μg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 50 μg equiv. folinic acid 46.3 μg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 2.4 μg
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 100 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 8 mg
- Rehmannia glutinosa ext. 200 mg
- Glycyrrhiza glabra ext. 125 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 5 mg equiv. pyridoxine 3.19 mg
- Panax ginseng ext. 150 mg
- Zinc glycinate 35.46 mg equiv. zinc 10 mg
- Chromium picolinate 140.8 μg equiv. chromium 17.5 μg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 54.3 μg equiv. folinic acid 50 μg
- Biotin 35 μg
- Hydroxocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 10 μg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 10.92 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 15 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 3.29 mg equiv. riboflavin 2.5 mg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 1.91 mg equiv. thiamine 1.5 mg
- Schisandra chinensis (Schisandra) ext. 80 mg
- Crocus sativus ext. 14 mg
- Withania somnifera ext. 150 mg
- Pyridoxal 5-phosphate monohydrate (P5P) 7.94 mg equiv. pyridoxine 5 mg
- Calcium folinate (Activated folate) 220 µg equiv. folinic acid 200 µg
- Mecobalamin (Vitamin B12) 100 µg
- Thiamine hydrochloride (Vitamin B1) 25.42 mg equiv. thiamine 20 mg
- Riboflavin 5-phosphate sodium (Activated B2) 13.16 mg equiv. riboflavin 10 mg
- Nicotinamide (Vitamin B3) 50 mg
- Calcium pantothenate (Vitamin B5) 54.59 mg equiv. pantothenic acid 50 mg
- Rhodiola rosea ext. 75 mg
- Ganoderma lucidum ext. 75 mg