Schisandra chinensis (five flavor fruit) is a fruit-bearing vine. It isn’t typically used as a food, but it has been used for medicinal purposes throughout Asia and Russia for generations.

Its purple-red berries are described as having five tastes: sweet, salty, bitter, pungent, and sour. The seeds of the Schisandra berry contain lignans, which are substances which may have beneficial effects on health.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Schisandra is considered beneficial to qi, the life force or energy inherent in all living things. It’s thought to have a positive impact on several meridians, or pathways, in the body, including the heart, lungs, and kidneys.

Read on to learn more about Schisandra.

Schisandrins A, B, and C are bioactive chemical compounds. They’re extracted from the berries of the Schisandra plant.

Schisandra is also available as a supplement in multiple forms. These include dried powder, pills, extracts, and elixirs. Supplements typically include a recommended dosage on the packaging for you to follow. Additionally, you can purchase it as berries or as a juice.

Schisandra is used for a wide range of health-related issues. There’s some scientific data from animal and human studies that indicate Schisandra may have a positive effect on several conditions and diseases.

Alzheimer’s disease

A 2017 study found that Schisandrin B had may influence the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers determined that this was caused by Schisandrin B’s ability to block formation of excess amyloid beta peptides in the brain.

These peptides are one of the components responsible for forming amyloid plaque, a substance found in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the findings need to be further investigated.

Liver disease

An older 2013 animal study found that pollen extracted from the Schisandra plant had a strong, antioxidant effect against toxic damage that was induced in the livers of mice. Schisandrin C was effective against liver damage in people with both acute and chronic hepatitis, a liver disease.

Additionally, a 2021 in vivo study showed that a combination of Schisandrin C and curdione prevented oxidative stress on the cells. The authors said this made it a promising potential treatment protocol for advanced liver disease.

While these findings are positive, more research is needed before determining if and how Schisandra can be used for liver disease.

Menopause

A small 2016 study analyzed the effects of Schisandra extract on people with menopausal symptoms. The researchers determined that Schisandra is effective at alleviating some symptoms like hot flashes, sweating, and heart palpitations.

Depression

A 2016 animal study found that Schisandra extract had an antidepressant effect on mice. Additional mouse studies, run by the same lead researcher, solidified this finding.

However, Schisandra and its potential effect on depression hasn’t been extensively studied in humans. You shouldn’t use it as a replacement for antidepressant medication, and always speak with a doctor before trying it — especially if you’re already on medication.

It’s important not to exceed the recommended dosage. This may either be on the label of a supplement or an amount recommended by a doctor.

Doses that are too high can cause gastric symptoms, such as heartburn. Therefore, Schisandra may not be appropriate for people with conditions such as ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), or hyperchlorhydria (high stomach acid).

However, it’s generally associated with no or few side effects.

Schisandra may not be appropriate for people who are pregnant or nursing. Always speak with a doctor before you start taking something new.

Schisandra has a long history of medical use throughout Asia and Russia.

While there are multiple animal studies that have found it to be beneficial for depression and liver disease, these findings need to be researched further through human studies before it can be recommended for this purpose.