Extracts from the fruits (seeds) of Schizandra chinensis L. are one of the components of medicinal preparations designed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, diseases of the central nervous system related to the old age, as a supplement in the treatment of neoplasms, diabetes, etc. Schizandra extracts are also used for the production of nutraceuticals (soft drinks and health foods), preparations for oral hygiene and for the care for the skin and hair.

Schizandra chinensis, originally a Japanese-Manchurian endemite, yields a vegetable drug (Schizandrae fructus) with a number of very utilizable therapeutic effects. Studies indicate schizandra has hepatoprotective, adaptogenic, and antioxidative capabilities. It is obvious that a very positive therapeutic effect based on the use of a complex mixture of schizandra's principal constituents because their biological effects are complementary and potentiate each other. At the same time, some lignans (e.g. gomisin A, gomisin N) are interesting as new prospective medicines.

You can purchase Schizandra supplement at Physician Formulas.

Components of Schizandra
Some of the active ingredients in schisandra include dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans, schizandrin, wuweizisu A, B, C;wuweizichun A, B; wuweizi ester and schisanhenol.

Properties of Schizandra
Antioxidant and liver protection--Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated the effect of Schisandrin B (Sch B), an active ingredient of the fruit of Schizandra chinensis, on enhancing the hepatic glutathione antioxidant system in mice, as evidenced by the hepatoprotection against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) toxicity. Our results strongly suggest that the mechanism of hepatoprotection afforded by Sch B treatment may involve the enhancement of mitochondrial glutathione redox status.
Protection of brain cells--Dibenzocyclooctadiene lignans from Schizandra chinensis may possess therapeutic potential against oxidative neuronal damage induced by excitotoxins.

Side effects
No major adverse events have been reported in medical journals.

Schizandra product questions
Q. The extract that the schizandra product says that it extract into schizandrins is that schizandrin A?
   A. The shizandra product has a mix of several schizandrins, including schizandra A.

Q. Can schizandra elevate blood pressure?
   A. We have not seen any human studies regarding the role of schizandra influencing blood pressure or hypertension. We suspect small doses would not have any significant effect but we don't know what high dosages would do.