Safety Profile
Overall safety rating: Generally Safe
Schisandra Berry Side Effects & Safety
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer
Potential Side Effects
- Mild GI symptoms (heartburn, stomach upset, decreased appetite)
- Rare skin rash or urticaria
- May cause restlessness or insomnia in sensitive individuals (stimulant-like effects)
- Very rare: decreased platelet aggregation at high doses
Drug & Supplement Interactions
- Inhibits CYP3A4 — may increase blood levels of medications metabolized by this enzyme (statins, certain immunosuppressants, calcium channel blockers)
- May potentiate the effects of anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications
- May interact with drugs metabolized by CYP2C9 and CYP1A2
- Caution with hepatotoxic medications — schisandra induces CYP enzymes which may alter drug metabolism unpredictably
Maximum Dose
Do not exceed: 3000mg extract/day or 9g dried berry/day
References
- Ip SP, Mak DH, Li PC, Poon MK, Ko KM (1996). Effect of a lignan-enriched extract of Schisandra chinensis on aflatoxin B1 and cadmium chloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Pharmacology & Toxicology. DOI PubMed
- Panossian A, Wikman G (2008). Pharmacology of Schisandra chinensis Bail.: An overview of Russian research and uses in medicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. DOI PubMed
- Ko KM, Ip SP, Poon MK, Wu SS, Che CT, Ng KH, Kong YC (1995). Effect of a lignan-enriched fructus schisandrae extract on hepatic glutathione status in rats: protection against carbon tetrachloride toxicity. Planta Medica. DOI PubMed
- Guo LY, Hung TM, Bae KH, Shin EM, Zhou HY, Hong YN, Kang SS, Kim HP, Kim YS (2008). Anti-inflammatory effects of schisandrin isolated from the fruit of Schisandra chinensis Baill. European Journal of Pharmacology. DOI PubMed