Schizandra Berry Health Benefits for Liver, Fatigue, Depression & Brain

Schizandra berry health benefits are purported to include stress relief, support for adrenal function and energy levels, digestive health, liver function and normal inflammation.

Schizandra chinensis (w? wèi zi in Chinese, which translates to “five-flavor berry”) is a woody vine plant native to Far East Russia and Northern China.

Schizandra is called w? wèi zi because the vine’s berries incorporate all taste sensations—sour, sweet, salty, bitter and spicy.

Used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, Schizandra berries are purported to support the “Five Elements” of health that are unique to TCM. According to herbal medicine practices, the beneficial effects of these berries act on the “Qi” (energy) of five, major visceral organs—the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys and stomach.

Chinese researchers investigating the “Qi-invigorating” properties of Schizandra berry extract found that Schizandrin, the active ingredient in the berries, fortifies “mitochondrial antioxidant qualities that offers the body general protection against internal and external infections and diseases.”

Authors of this study state that discovering this association between Schizandrin and its ability to support cellular energy “provides a biochemical explanation of Schizandra chinensis’ Qi-invigorating action.” [1]

Schisandra

Herbal Supplement

Stress

Attention

Energy

How It Works:

• Adaptogen used for mood & anxiety
• Promotes concentration, attention & cognitive function
• Supports energy, immunity & sleep

Dosage:

1.5 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Schizandra Berry Health Benefits

Schizandra berry extract is purported to have adaptogenic benefits, improving the body’s resistance to stress and supporting normal energy levels.

It is commonly used as a dietary supplement to promote energy and wakefulness, support a calm state of mind, lift the mood and for general well-being. It has also been used to boost physical performance and endurance.

Historically, it was associated with a longer lifespan and increased vitality. As a potent antioxidant, it may help the mitochondria resist oxidative damage that can contribute to premature aging.

Research in animals shows that it can improve exercise capability, reduce fatigue and reduce increases in heart rate during exercise. It also appears to have benefits on cognitive performance and liver function, but many of its uses in traditional medicine have not been well-researched.

Studies show that consumption of schisandra fruit extract may improve concentration. In one clinical trial, it was found to improve attention, speed and accuracy on cognitive tasks when taken with Rhodiola Rosea and Siberian Ginseng.

Central Nervous System

Schizandra seems to stimulate the nervous system by improving mental alertness and increasing reflex response rates. In TCM, Schizandra berry extract is given to people suffering depression, memory loss, moodiness, and irritability.

While it is associated with anti-fatigue effects in some applications, it also appears to have tranquilizing effects under certain circumstances. It is described as having a mild sedative effects depending on dosage amounts and is sometimes used to treat insomnia in China.

A phenolic-rich chemical derived from Schizandra berries has been studied for treating or possibly delaying the onset of neurogenerative disorders such as Huntington’s, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. [2] However, this supplement is not approved as a drug for the treatment of any medical conditions.

Antioxidant Properties

Pharmacological research on animals given Schizandra berry extract seems to indicate the berries provide stress-protective, antioxidant effects against “a broad spectrum of harmful factors including aseptic inflammation and irradiation”.

Studies on isolated enzymes, tissues and organs revealed that Schizandra exhibited “strong antioxidant activities” while increasing mental performance, endurance and working capacity in healthy subjects.

Other clinical trials have found Schizandra may improve psychiatric illnesses, acute gastrointestinal diseases and duodenal ulcers. [3] These studies are preliminary, and more research is needed to determine therapeutic efficacy.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

The Natural Medicines Database states that lignans from this herbal extract “seems to have anti-inflammatory effects.” It may work by inhibiting platelet activating factor (PAF).

Schizandrin, the main active ingredient of Schizandra chinensis, has been demonstrated to exhibit antioxidant effects in mice treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

According to researchers, mice given Schizandrin berry extract experienced reduced nitric oxide production, inhibited release of prostaglandin E and lower levels of COX-2 enzymes. All these chemicals are known to play key roles in the development of inflammation in the body. [4]

Liver Health

In traditional Chinese medicine, this herb is sometimes recommended for its liver-protective (hepatoprotective) effects. It may work by increasing activity of antioxidant chemicals and enzymes such as hepatic glutathione, glucose-6-phosphate, and glutathione-reductase.

According to NMCD, “It might also have a hepatoprotective effect by inhibiting lipid peroxidation, increasing liver glycogen production, inducing cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, and promoting hepatocyte growth and liver regeneration.”

Some research suggests that Schizandra berry extract may reduce glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) blood levels in people diagnosed with hepatitis. SGPT is an enzyme marker indicating liver damage. Elevated SGPT levels means damage may be serious; lower SGPT levels means damage is mild to moderate.

Schizandra is also purported to prevent premature aging, reduce hypertension and improve diabetes. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence to support these claims. [5]

Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

A primary cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency and lack of bone remodeling. Phytoestrogens (plant hormones) have been investigated as possible candidates for reducing a woman’s risk of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Schizandra is known to contain chemicals that may be phytoestrogenic in nature called lignans.

In one study with mice suffering ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis, researchers gave mice oral administrations of Schizandra berry extract for six weeks. Results showed that mice experienced significantly increased bone mineral density and serum estradiol concentrations in the blood.

Supported by other evidence that Schizandra may be a viable supplement for helping reduce the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, authors of this trial propose that “S. chinensis attenuates post-menopausal osteoporosis with its phytoestrogenic effect. This may give S. chinensis the potential to be used as an alternative for treatment of osteoporosis.” [6]

Schizandra Berry Side Effects

NMCD states that this natural health product is Possibly Safe when used orally and appropriately. This means that it has been used safely in some research trials, but more research is needed to evaluate its safety for the general population.

Schizandra berry supplements, tinctures or teas may cause upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion, loss of appetite and skin rash.

Pregnant or breast-feeding women should not take Schizandra berries since it could induce uterine contractions or interact adversely with breast milk.

This supplement may not be appropriate for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy or high intracranial pressure. It may increase gastric acidity and should be avoided by patients diagnosed with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) or Peptic Ulcer Disease (PUD).

If you have been diagnosed with any health conditions or are currently being treated by a physician, it is important to consult with your doctor first to determine whether this supplement is right for you to take.

Interactions with Medications

Schizandra may interfere with the efficacy of drugs that are broken down and molecularly changed by the liver, including Cytochrome CYP2C9 substrates and Cytochrome CYP3A4 substrates.

Commonly taken medications changed by liver metabolism include Celebrex, Midazolam, Motrin, Dilantin, Coumadin and Voltaren.

Even if you are not taking medications to treat a liver disorder, always consult with your physician before taking Schizandra supplements. [7]

It may interact with phenobarbital, tacrolimus (Prograf), talinolol, and Warfarin (Coumadin). Check with a doctor before using this product if you are using any of these or related medications.

Schizandra Dosing Recommendations

As a dietary supplement, it is typically taken at a dosage of between 500 mg to 2 grams per day. Depending on the formulation of the product you are taking, a different dosage may be recommended. Always follow dosage guidelines provided by the manufacturer of the product you are using.

Standardized Schizandra berry extracts containing about 3.5 percent schizandrin has been used clinically to improve athletic performance at a dosage of 91 mg per day.

Schizandra berry tincture is sometimes made using air-dried berries mixed with alcohol. About 20 to 30 drops daily is the suggested dosage for a tincture.

Schizandra berry powder may be taken in amounts of 0.5 up to 1.5 g twice a day, depending on how well the berries have been pulverized. [8]

To improve physical and mental performance, Schizandra berry extract in capsule form may be taken daily at 500 mg but no more than two grams daily.

For people preferring to drink Schizandra berry tea, five to 15 grams per day of boiled tea made with crude plant material is the suggested dosage. [9] Schizandra berry tea bags are also available that contain special blends of black, oolong or green tea.

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