Origin & tradition
Wu Wei Zi (五味子) is a classic Chinese adaptogen used to support the liver, calm the spirit, and build endurance.
Eastern tradition · Tonic Herbs
Schisandra 五味子
The “five-flavor berry,” an adaptogen studied for liver protection, stress resilience, and cellular defense.
25ClinicalTrials.gov matched
17PubMed RCT records
11Meta-analysis records
20+PubMed records
Schisandrins / lignansKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Schisandrins / lignans (botanical extract).
Schisandra lignans (schisandrin B) are studied for Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense and hepatoprotection; aging-specific human evidence is limited.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fatigue (physical and mental) | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Liver enzymes (ALT/AST) | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Cortisol / stress response | Decreases | Minor | C |
| Cognitive function | Increases | Minor | C |
| Endurance performance | Increases | Minor | C |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Schisandra is typically used
- Typical dose
- 500–2,000 mg/day extract (standardized to schisandrins)
- Form
- capsule or tincture
- Timing
- any time; some prefer morning for cognitive effects
Also known as Wu Wei Zi (五味子) — 'five-flavour berry'. Schisandra chinensis is the primary species with human data. Liver protection studies use higher doses (2–6g). May induce CYP3A4 — check drug interactions.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
69Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence17 randomized controlled trials · 11 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Preclinical hepatoprotection + small human stress/liver trials
Schisandra lignans (schisandrin B) are studied for Nrf2-mediated antioxidant defense and hepatoprotection; aging-specific human evidence is limited.
25registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 20+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
Key active: Schisandrins / lignans (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Schisandra appears in
Compare the evidence
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