The botanical name of rhodiola is Rhodiola rosea. The root and underground stem (rhizome) of this plant are used in the traditional medicine practices of Eastern and Northern Europe and parts of Asia. This plant is known by many other names, including arctic root, golden root, orpin rose, rose root, rosewort, and Siberian golden root. Extracts of the root and rhizome of the plant are dried and dissolved in alcohol to prepare medicinal compounds.
Doses vary and there is often little evidence about the best dose of supplements or whether the dose advertised in over-the-counter preparations is accurate.
(See also Overview of Dietary Supplements and National Institutes of Health (NIH): Rhodiola.)
Claims
Advocates believe that rhodiola is an adaptogen. This herbal medicine term means that this substance is thought to help the body respond to stress and restore normal function.
Rhodiola is used to
Treat the symptoms of altitude illness
Improve learning and memory
Increase energy
Improve exercise performance
Reduce high cholesterol levels
Reduce symptoms of depression
Reduce fatigue
Slow down the aging process
Evidence
There are no high-quality studies in people demonstrating that rhodiola is effective for treating any health condition.
Small studies suggest that rhodiola improves exercise and sport performance (1, 2).
A small study in 89 people taking rhodiola for 42 days showed benefit in treatment of mild to moderate depression (34). Rhodiola has shown efficacy in combination with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, 5).
Adverse Effects
Possible adverse effects of rhodiola include dizziness and either dry mouth or excessive saliva production.
Drug Interactions
The use of rhodiola in combination with prescription antidepressant drugs could cause tachycardia.
Rhodiola could cause hypoglycemia, particularly in people who take antihyperglycemic drugs.
Rhodiola could reduce blood pressure, possibly causing hypotension in people who already have low blood pressure or in those taking antihypertensive medications.
Rhodiola has anti-inflammatory effects, which, in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs, may result in additive effects causing adverse effects.
Rhodiola may counteract the effects of immunosuppressants.
(See also table Some Possible Dietary Supplement–Drug Interactions.)
References
1. Parisi A, Tranchita E, Duranti G, et al: Effects of chronic Rhodiola Rosea supplementation on sport performance and antioxidant capacity in trained male: preliminary results. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 50(1):57-63, 2010.
2. Noreen EE, Buckley JG, Lewis SL, Brandauer J, Stuempfle KJ: The effects of an acute dose of Rhodiola rosea on endurance exercise performance. J Strength Cond Res 27(3):839-847, 2013. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e31825d9799
3. Darbinyan V, Aslanyan G, Amroyan E, et al: Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea L. extract SHR-5 in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Nord J Psychiatry 61(5):343-348, 2007. doi:10.1080/08039480701643290
4. Mao JJ, Xie SX, Zee J, et alPhytomedicine 22(3):394-399, 2015. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.01.010
5. Gao L, Wu C, Liao Y, et alJ Affect Disord 265:99-103, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.065
More Information
The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.
National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: General information on the use of rhodiola as a dietary supplement
