Evidence supporting the use of: Schisandra
For the health condition: Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis), known as "wu wei zi" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used for centuries as a tonic herb, often prescribed to support liver health, enhance stamina, and improve resilience to stress. In the context of cancer treatment, its use is primarily traditional—Schisandra is sometimes recommended within TCM protocols to help manage the side effects of chemotherapy or radiation, such as fatigue, poor appetite, and liver toxicity, rather than directly treating cancer itself.
Scientific studies on Schisandra’s role in cancer therapy are limited and mostly preclinical. A few small clinical and animal studies suggest that compounds in Schisandra, such as lignans, may have hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects, which theoretically could help mitigate some chemotherapy-induced liver damage. However, robust clinical trials demonstrating clear benefit in reducing cancer treatment side effects in humans are lacking.
In summary, the use of Schisandra for supporting cancer treatment and reducing its side effects is based primarily on traditional medicine practices, with limited scientific evidence. More rigorous clinical research is needed to validate its efficacy and safety in this context.
More about Schisandra
More about Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Other ingredients used for Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
acetyl l-carnitineakkermansia muciniphila
algal oil
aloe vera
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
basil
beet
berberine
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
black cumin
sesame
blackberry
blueberry
Indian frankincense
branched-chain amino acids
broccoli
bromelain
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
butyrate triglyceride
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
cat's claw
catalase
caterpillar mushroom
chaga mushroom
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chlorophyll
chokeberry
citrus oil
citrus pectin
coating
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
cordyceps
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
cyclodextrin
d-alpha tocopherol
d-glucarate
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DIM (diindolylmethane)
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
green tea
hemp oil
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
Indian tinospora
indole-3-carbinol
iron
knotweed
jujube
kale
l-carnitine
l-cysteine
l-glutamine
l-glutathione
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus salivarius
lactoferrin
lentinula edodes mycelia
lion's mane
lycopene
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mangosteen
marine lipid
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
melatonin
milk
milk thistle
mixed carotenoids
moringa
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleanolic acid
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
oyster mushroom
pectin
perilla
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
phytosterols
plum fruit
pollen
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
protease
protein
pumpkin
raspberry
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rosemary
rutin
scrophularia root
selenium
shiitake mushroom
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tributyrin
triphala
turkey tail mushroom
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
wheat grass
whey protein
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
jiaogulan
typhonium
atractylodes
papaya
neem tree
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
rubia cordifolia
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
boxthorne
buckthorn
pau d'arco
lemongrass
myrrh
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
siler root
cistanche
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
morinda
trichosanthes
royal jelly
polyphenols
purslane
coix
polyporus
aster root
noni
biota seed
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Agarikon Mushroom
Alpha Glucans
Angelica
Apigenin
Antrodia camphorata
Auricularia
Anamu
Artesunate
AHCC
Andrographolide
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Andrographis
Ampelopsin
Acemannan
Algal protein
Arabinoxylan
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Anti-aromatase
Artepillin C
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Baikal Skullcap
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bidens pilosa
Betulinic acid
Brassica
Boswellic Acid
Beef liver
Baccosides
Baicalein
Beta-lapachone
Bee hive
Bael
Basidiomycota
berry
Boswellia
Butein
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
BCAA
Baicalin
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Caryophyllene
Calendula
Chinese Mountain Ant
Condurango
Chlorophyllin
Coriolus mushroom
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Pond Turtle
Cancerina
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Curcuma
Carnosol
C-Phycocyanin
Chirata
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Clostridium butyricum
Corilagin
Crocetin
Cytokines
Costus
Celosia
Carnosic acid
Cannabigerol
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
DNA
Decursin
Daidzein
Diosgenin
Didymin
Date
Dithiolthiones
Diosmetin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Eclipta
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Enokitake
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
fibroblast growth factor
Garlic
Isoflavones
Mallow
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Periwinkle
Soy Protein
Zucchini
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