Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi): Five-Flavor Berry in Chinese Medicine
Schisandra (Wu Wei Zi) is a berry used in Chinese medicine and called an adaptogen. See what small trials show, what animal studies cannot prove, and the tacrolimus interaction.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Wu Wei Zi means "five-flavor fruit" in Chinese. It is the dried ripe fruit of Schisandra plants. This page covers its traditional role, a few small trials, and one well-documented medicine interaction. It does not give doses or preparation steps.
Two plants, one name
Two species are used: Schisandra chinensis, called bei-wuweizi (northern) in Chinese, and Schisandra sphenanthera, called nan-wuweizi (southern). [1] The two are similar in appearance, traditional use and ingredients. In the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 100 prescriptions contained S. chinensis and 11 contained S. sphenanthera. [1] The difference matters for safety (see the tacrolimus section) because products and studies do not always say which species they used.Traditional use
The dried fruits are traditionally used for coughs, palpitations, spermatorrhea (involuntary loss of semen) and insomnia, and as a tonic in Russia, Japan and Korea as well as China. [1] The Chinese Pharmacopoeia lists S. chinensis as a sedative and tonic. [2] Those are traditional categories. Compare with the Chinese herb categories.Is it an adaptogen?
Schisandra is often grouped with the "adaptogens", a modern term for plants said to raise resistance to stress. A 2021 review lists Schisandra chinensis among plant adaptogens but also states that human clinical trials are limited. [3] See What are adaptogens? and Adaptogen research and evidence for how that word is used and its limits.What research shows
| Question | What the source found | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Liver injury | A 2025 meta-analysis of 54 animal studies found lower liver enzymes (ALT, AST) after Schisandra compounds, with very high variation between studies; the authors say more research is needed to confirm efficacy and safety. [4] | Preclinical |
| Menopausal symptoms | One randomized placebo-controlled trial of a Schisandra extract in 36 women who finished (6 weeks of treatment, 12 weeks of follow-up) reported lower Kupperman Index scores than placebo (p = 0.042). [5] | Insufficient evidence (one very small trial) |
| Muscle strength in older adults | A 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 54 adults over 50 who also walked regularly found higher knee-extension strength with the extract but no difference in muscle mass; no adverse events were reported. [6] | Insufficient evidence (one small trial) |
| Stress, fatigue or "adrenal support" | I did not find a trial in the sources I read. | Proper evidence not found |
What this means: the human trials are single, small and measured different things, so none of them shows that Schisandra "works" for a health condition. Animal results show what is worth studying, not what happens in people. For marketing claims about adrenals, see Adrenal fatigue claims.
Frequently asked questions
What does Wu Wei Zi mean?
"Five-flavor fruit". It is the dried ripe fruit of Schisandra plants. [1]
Is schisandra an adaptogen?
It is listed among plant adaptogens, but a 2021 review notes that human clinical trials are limited. [3]
Does schisandra protect the liver?
In animal models of liver injury, enzyme levels fell. [4] I did not find human trials showing liver protection.
Can schisandra interact with medicines?
Yes. Wuzhi capsule raised tacrolimus levels in liver transplant patients. [8] Ask your prescriber or pharmacist.
Is schisandra proven for menopause or muscle strength?
One small trial in each area reported benefits on some measures. [5] [6] That is not enough to call either proven.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety and medicine interactions
Liver enzymes. Both species were found to inhibit CYP3A and the drug transporter P-glycoprotein, which can affect many drugs. [1] In rats, effects on several CYP enzymes were mixed: some were inhibited in the laboratory dish and some were increased after repeated dosing. [2] Human data are limited.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children. Proper evidence not found in the sources I could read. See TCM in pregnancy and Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Quality. NCCIH reports that some Chinese herbal products have been contaminated with toxic compounds, heavy metals, pesticides and microorganisms. [9] See Chinese herbal products: quality and interactions. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before combining with prescribed medicines.
References
- A comprehensive review of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill. and Schisandra sphenanthera Rehd. et Wils.. J Ethnopharmacol 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- Multifaceted interaction of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Schisandra chinensis with cytochrome P450-mediated drug metabolism in rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2014. Read 2026-10-22.
- Plant Adaptogens-History and Future Perspectives. Nutrients 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- Efficacy of Schisandra chinensis in liver injury: a systematic review and preclinical meta-analysis. Front Pharmacol 2025. Read 2026-10-22.
- A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of Schisandra chinensis for menopausal symptoms. Climacteric 2016. Read 2026-10-22.
- Effect of Schisandra chinensis Baillon extracts and regular low-intensity exercise on muscle strength and mass in older adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr 2021. Read 2026-10-22.
- Effect of Tacrolimus on the pharmacokinetics of bioactive lignans of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) and the potential roles of CYP3A and P-gp. Phytomedicine 2014. Read 2026-10-22.
- The pharmacokinetic study of tacrolimus and Wuzhi capsule in Chinese liver transplant patients. Front Pharmacol 2022. Read 2026-10-22.
- NCCIH, Traditional Chinese Medicine: What You Need To Know. Read 2026-10-22.