Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Russian herbalism as an adaptogen, which means it is believed to help the body resist the effects of stress and support overall vitality. In TCM, Schisandra is considered to "tonify the kidney and heart," enhance "qi," and promote endurance and resilience—functions associated with what modern integrative practitioners often refer to as "adrenal support." The "adrenal cortex" terminology is more recent and Western, but the traditional use of Schisandra aligns with supporting the body’s ability to manage stress and fatigue, which are believed to be related to adrenal function.

Some preliminary scientific studies in animals and limited human trials suggest Schisandra may reduce fatigue, improve mental performance, and modulate stress hormone levels, but these do not specifically confirm direct support to the adrenal cortex. The majority of evidence for its use in this context is based on tradition and its adaptogenic classification, rather than robust clinical research directly linking Schisandra to improved adrenal cortex function. Therefore, while it is commonly used for "adrenal support" in herbal and integrative health circles, this is primarily justified by historical and traditional use, with moderate supporting evidence.

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