Schisandra

Adaptogenic berry supporting liver function, stress response, and cognitive performance with hepatoprotective lignans

Scientific nameSchisandra chinensis FormulaVarious lignans and schisandrins Molecular weightVariable natural compounds g/mol CASVarious natural compounds

70 absorption score

9 safety / 10

40 USD per month

5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Schisandra with:

75 out of 100

Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Liver protection and regeneration

Clinically proven hepatoprotective effects supporting liver cell health and regeneration

Schisandrin lignans protect hepatocytes and support liver regeneration Evidence A-grade 4-12 weeks

Stress adaptation and resilience

Adaptogenic properties help body adapt to physical and mental stress

Modulates HPA axis and stress hormone response Evidence B-grade 2-8 weeks

Cognitive performance and mental clarity

Enhances mental performance, focus, and cognitive function

Improves neurotransmitter function and brain energy metabolism Evidence B-grade 2-6 weeks

Physical endurance and energy

Improves physical endurance and reduces fatigue

Enhances cellular energy production and oxygen utilization Evidence B-grade 3-8 weeks

Antioxidant and anti-aging support

Provides powerful antioxidant protection and anti-aging benefits

Lignans provide potent antioxidant and cellular protective effects Evidence B-grade 4-16 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Melatonin Sleep support & circadian rhythm 0.5-3mg A 50% Turmeric Anti-inflammatory & antioxidant 300-1000mg A 3% Ashwagandha Stress management & energy 300-600mg A 75% Magnesium Glycinate Superior absorption sleep & muscle support 200-600 mg A 90% L-Theanine Calm focus & stress relief 100-400mg B 90% Glutathione Master antioxidant & detox support 250-750mg B 20%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

Schisandra + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

Schisandra + Milk Thistle Enhanced liver protection and regeneration support Works better together 75

Schisandra + Rhodiola Rosea Synergistic adaptogenic and stress-fighting effects Works better together 75

Schisandra + Ginkgo Biloba Enhanced cognitive performance and mental clarity Works better together 75

Dosage

With breakfast

Daily300-1000mg

Liver protection500-1000mg daily

Stress adaptation300-600mg daily

Cognitive enhancement300-600mg daily

Physical endurance500-1000mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for stress adaptation, 4-8 weeks for liver benefits

Peak Benefits8-16 weeks for sustained liver protection and adaptogenic effects

Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement

Toxicity OnsetVery rare, excellent safety profile

How to measure it

$80-150

MarkerLiver enzymes (ALT, AST), cortisol levels if monitoring stress

OptimalNormal liver function, balanced stress hormone levels

Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement

FrequencyEvery 6-12 months for liver function monitoring

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 2 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Fatigue 1

Loss of consciousness 1

Syncope 1

Headache 1

Malaise 1

Named as the suspect 2 reports of 2 that mention it at all

Serious outcome 67% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event1

Other Serious Outcome1

Other Outcome1

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption High 70 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms

Delivered daily 455 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.29 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Milk Thistle

Enhanced liver protection and regeneration support

Both provide complementary hepatoprotective mechanisms · level C

Rhodiola Rosea

Synergistic adaptogenic and stress-fighting effects

Both adaptogens with complementary stress-response mechanisms · level C

Ginkgo Biloba

Enhanced cognitive performance and mental clarity

Complementary cognitive-enhancing mechanisms · level C

What not to take with Schisandra

2 documented

Alcohol Regular

Regular alcohol use opposes liver-protective effects

Alcohol creates liver stress opposing schisandra's protective effects · high significance

Sedative Medications

May counteract sedative effects due to mild stimulating properties

Mild stimulating effects may oppose sedation · mild significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

liver-metabolized-medications Moderate

May affect metabolism of medications processed by liver enzymes

What to do: Monitor drug levels and effects

immunosuppressive-medications Minor

May interfere with immunosuppressive therapy

What to do: Monitor immune function

stimulant-medications Minor

May enhance stimulating effects

What to do: Monitor for overstimulation

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Schisandra Berry Extract (Standardized Schisandrins) 70

Schisandra Berry Extract (Standardized Schisandrins): Proven liver protection, Adaptogenic benefits, Cognitive enhancement, Excellent safety

Food sources

before you supplement

Fresh schisandra berries High lignan content · 60

Schisandra berry tea Moderate active compound content · 50

Standardized extracts Concentrated schisandrins and lignans · 70

Not found in common foods Specific berry preparation required · N/A

Too little

deficiency signs

Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
General symptoms addressed by schisandra:
Poor stress adaptation and chronic stress effects
Liver vulnerability to toxins and damage
Mental fatigue and poor cognitive performance
Physical fatigue and poor endurance
Premature aging and oxidative stress

Too much

toxicity signs

Extremely safe with minimal side effects:
Mild stimulating effects in sensitive individuals
Rare medication interactions
Occasional allergic reactions
Very rare digestive upset

Who benefits most

liver-protection-hepatotoxin-exposure

Clinically proven liver protector against toxins and oxidative damage

500-1000mg daily

stress-adaptation-chronic-stress

Excellent adaptogen for managing chronic stress and improving resilience

300-600mg daily

cognitive-performance-mental-clarity

Enhances mental performance, focus, and cognitive function

300-600mg daily

physical-endurance-athletes

Improves physical endurance and reduces exercise-induced fatigue

500-1000mg daily

anti-aging-longevity

Powerful antioxidant and cellular protective effects for healthy aging

300-600mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Schisandra at 300-1000mg per serving. The form that matters here is Schisandra Berry Extract (Standardized Schisandrins).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Alcohol regular

Regular alcohol use opposes liver-protective effects

Alcohol creates liver stress opposing schisandra's protective effects

How it works

Schisandrin lignans provide hepatoprotective effects and support liver regeneration
Modulates HPA axis and stress hormone response for stress adaptation
Enhances neurotransmitter function and brain energy metabolism
Improves cellular energy production and mitochondrial function
Provides potent antioxidant protection against oxidative damage
Supports phase I and phase II liver detoxification enzyme activity

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Clinically proven hepatoprotective effects in multiple studies
Strong evidence for adaptogenic and stress-fighting properties
Good research on cognitive and physical performance enhancement
Excellent safety profile with minimal side effects

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Schisandra?

Documented effects: Liver protection and regeneration; Stress adaptation and resilience; Cognitive performance and mental clarity; Physical endurance and energy. Clinically proven hepatoprotective effects supporting liver cell health and regeneration

How much Schisandra should you take per day?

The common daily range is 300-1000mg. By goal — liver protection: 500-1000mg daily; stress adaptation: 300-600mg daily; cognitive enhancement: 300-600mg daily; physical endurance: 500-1000mg daily.

When is the best time to take Schisandra?

With breakfast. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for stress adaptation, 4-8 weeks for liver benefits.

What are the side effects of Schisandra?

At excessive doses: Extremely safe with minimal side effects:, Mild stimulating effects in sensitive individuals, Rare medication interactions, Occasional allergic reactions, Very rare digestive upset. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with Schisandra?

Separate it from Alcohol Regular, Sedative Medications by two to four hours. Regular alcohol use opposes liver-protective effects

Does Schisandra interact with medications?

Documented interactions with liver-metabolized-medications, immunosuppressive-medications, stimulant-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Schisandra?

The marker is Liver enzymes (ALT, AST), cortisol levels if monitoring stress, optimal range Normal liver function, balanced stress hormone levels. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by schisandra:, Poor stress adaptation and chronic stress effects, Liver vulnerability to toxins and damage.

Taken for

28 Sleep & Stress

Melatonin · Magnesium Glycinate · Ashwagandha

49 Liver & Detox

Turmeric · Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) · D-Mannose