Evidence supporting the use of: Schisandra
For the health condition: Adrenal Fatigue
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is considered an adaptogen—a substance believed to help the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stressors. In traditional systems, Schisandra is often used to "replenish qi," enhance endurance, and support resilience to stress, which aligns conceptually with the modern, albeit controversial, idea of "adrenal fatigue." The term "adrenal fatigue" itself is not widely recognized in conventional medicine, but the symptoms (fatigue, stress intolerance, etc.) are addressed in traditional contexts with adaptogenic herbs like Schisandra. Scientific studies in animals and limited human trials suggest Schisandra may help modulate the body's stress response, reduce fatigue, and support mental performance under stress. These effects are largely attributed to its lignan compounds, which may influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and cortisol regulation. However, clinical evidence specific to "adrenal fatigue" is lacking, as this is not a formally recognized medical diagnosis and has not been directly studied in high-quality randomized controlled trials. Thus, the justification for Schisandra's use in this context is primarily traditional, with some preliminary scientific support for general stress adaptation and fatigue reduction, but not specifically for "adrenal fatigue."
Other health conditions supported by Schisandra
Adrenal FatigueAlcoholism
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Appetite (deficient)
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Concentration (poor)
Convalescence
Depression
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Fatty Liver Disease
Fever
Free Radical Damage
Hangover
Hepatitis
Hypertension
Inflammation
Insomnia
Liver Detoxification
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Nervous Exhaustion
Pain (general remedies for)
Stress
Ulcers
Worry
Wounds and Sores