Chinese herbs

Schisandra

Also called: wuweizi, five-flavour berry, schisandra chinensis

A berry (wuweizi) used in Chinese medicine.

Why people take it
Liver, stress, endurance.
What the evidence says
Little good human evidence.
How it is usually taken
Usually 1.5 to 6 g of berry a day, or extract.
Be careful
Interacts with many medicines through liver enzymes; heartburn.
Medicines it can interact with
Changes levels of many medicines broken down by the liver, including tacrolimus and warfarin.

Other chinese herbs

Dong quaiHorny goat weedJujubeChrysanthemum teaGynostemmaEucommiaRehmanniaPolygonum multiflorumPuerariaPanax notoginsengAmerican ginsengEjiaoPearl powderHawthorn berry (shanzha)Monk fruit

Common questions

What is Schisandra?

A berry (wuweizi) used in Chinese medicine.

Why do people take Schisandra?

Liver, stress, endurance.

Does Schisandra work?

Little good human evidence.

How much Schisandra do people take?

Usually 1.5 to 6 g of berry a day, or extract.

Is Schisandra safe?

Interacts with many medicines through liver enzymes; heartburn.

Does Schisandra interact with medicines?

Changes levels of many medicines broken down by the liver, including tacrolimus and warfarin.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.