Its key constituents, the schisandrin family of lignans, are powerful liver protectants that also activate the Nrf2 pathway, raising the cells' antioxidant capacity, with protective effects on heart muscle and nerve cells as well.

The mechanism of 'astringing the lung, stopping cough': schisandra acids (a mixture of organic acids) astringe the respiratory mucosa and reduce secretions, while mildly suppressing the medullary cough center. Against mahuang's 'diffusion' it is the complement — Xiao Qinglong Tang's one-release-one-gather keeps plain dispersal from dissipating the lung qi.