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Rhodiola Supplement

Updated | 2021-12-02

Written and reviewed by the NatureClaim Team


See what others say about Rhodiola:



Rhodiola

Overview of Rhodiola

Scientific Name: Rhodiola rosea

Order: Saxifragales

Family: Crassulaceae

Rhodiola is native to the harsh climate of the Tibetan Plateau. Standardized extracts of Rhodiola rosea should contain 3% rosavin and 1% rhodioloside (salidroside).



Evidence

Strong:

insufficient information

Good:

insufficient information

Promising:

  • Cognitive Function, including a combination of Rhodiola with Eleutherococcus senticosus / Schisandra chinensis [1-3]
  • Stress/Stress-Induced Fatigue, including a combination of Rhodiola with Eleutherococcus senticosus / Schisandra chinensis [4-8]

Conflicting (Unclear):

  • Endurance (potential antioxidant properties), another species, Rhodiola crenulata, with ginkgo may have similar medicinal properties [9-17]

Limited Evidence:

  • Cardiovascular Health in Breast Cancer Patients, salidroside extracted from Rhodiola [18]
  • Chemotherapy Induced Oral Ulcers, another species, Rhodiola algida [19]
  • Depression [20]
  • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) [21]
  • Hypoxia/Oxidative Stress [22]
  • Immune Stimulant in Breast Cancer Patients, another species, Rhodiola algida [23]
  • Immune Stimulant during Spaceflight [24]
  • Improvement in Physical and Cognitive Deficiencies [25]
  • Quality of Life in Acute Non-Specific Pneumonia, a combination of Rhodiola with Eleutherococcus senticosus / Schisandra chinensis [26]
  • Sensitive Skin, Rhodiola with L-carnosine [27]

No Evidence:

insufficient information

No Clinical Research:

All other conditions.


Side Effects
Side effects may include:
  • Cold Extremities
  • Dizziness
  • Dry Mouth
  • Sleepiness
Precautions and Adverse Events:
  • Avoid or contact a licensed healthcare practitioner, if you are in an excited state or have bipolar siorder.
  • There was a case of tachyarrhythmia (heart rate exceeding the normal resting state) while taking both Escitalopram and a rhodiola supplement.
  • Take rhodiola early in the day because it can interfere with sleep or cause vivid dreams.
[28-30]


Pregnant or Nursing

There is not enough research on the use of supplements containing rhodiola during pregnancy and breast-feeding, so consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use or avoid use.



Interactions

Major:

  • Escitalopram
[31-33]

Moderate:

  • Drugs changed by Cytochrome P450s (CYPs) in the liver
[31-33]

Potential:

  • Anti-Depressants
  • Stimulants
[31-33]


Dosage

Rhodiola is not a "drug", so the best doses have not been thoroughly established. Make sure to follow the specific product instructions and take as directed on the label, or consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use.



Compounds
Rhodiola compounds [Afendi et al. 2012]


References

1. Aslanyan G, Amroyan E, Gabrielyan E, Nylander M, Wikman G, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised study of single dose effects of ADAPT-232 on cognitive functions. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jun;17(7):494-9. 2. Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta Med. 2009 Feb;75(2):105-12. 3. Shevtsov VA, Zholus BI, Shervarly VI, Vol'skij VB, Korovin YP, et al. A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomedicine. 2003 Mar;10(2-3):95-105. 4. Ciumaşu-Rîmbu M, Popa L, Vulpoi C. Neuropeptide Y stimulation as primary target for preventive measures of maladaptative cardiovascular reactions in occupational chronic stress exposure. Rev Med Chir Soc Med Nat Iasi. 2012 Jul-Sep;116(3):790-3. 5. Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, Gabrielian E, Wikman G, Wagner H. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000 Oct;7(5):365-71. 6. Edwards D, Heufelder A, Zimmermann A. Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms--results of an open-label study. Phytother Res. 2012 Aug;26(8):1220-5. 7. Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta Med. 2009 Feb;75(2):105-12. 8. Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine. 2000 Apr;7(2):85-9. 9. Colson SN, Wyatt FB, Johnston DL, Autrey LD, FitzGerald YL, Earnest CP. Cordyceps sinensis- and Rhodiola rosea-based supplementation in male cyclists and its effect on muscle tissue oxygen saturation. J Strength Cond Res. 2005 May;19(2):358-63. 10. De Bock K, Eijnde BO, Ramaekers M, Hespel P. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004 Jun;14(3):298-307. 11. Earnest CP, Morss GM, Wyatt F, Jordan AN, Colson S, Church TS, Fitzgerald Y, Autrey L, Jurca R, Lucia A. Effects of a commercial herbal-based formula on exercise performance in cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2004 Mar;36(3):504-9. 12. 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. 2013 Mar;27(3):839-47. 13. Parisi A, Tranchita E, Duranti G, Ciminelli E, Quaranta F, Ceci R, Cerulli C, Borrione P, Sabatini S. Effects of chronic Rhodiola Rosea supplementation on sport performance and antioxidant capacity in trained male: preliminary results. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2010 Mar;50(1):57-63. 14. Schutgens FW, Neogi P, van Wijk EP, van Wijk R, Wikman G, Wiegant FA. The influence of adaptogens on ultraweak biophoton emission: a pilot-experiment. Phytother Res. 2009 Aug;23(8):1103-8. 15. Skarpanska-Stejnborn A, Pilaczynska-Szczesniak L, Basta P, Deskur-Smielecka E. The influence of supplementation with Rhodiola rosea L. extract on selected redox parameters in professional rowers. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2009 Apr;19(2):186-99. 16. Walker TB, Altobelli SA, Caprihan A, Robergs RA. Failure of Rhodiola rosea to alter skeletal muscle phosphate kinetics in trained men. Metabolism. 2007 Aug;56(8):1111-7. 17. Zhang ZJ, Tong Y, Zou J, Chen PJ, Yu DH. Dietary supplement with a combination of Rhodiola crenulata and Ginkgo biloba enhances the endurance performance in healthy volunteers. Chin J Integr Med. 2009 Jun;15(3):177-83. 18. Zhang H, Shen WS, Gao CH, Deng LC, Shen D. Protective effects of salidroside on epirubicin-induced early left ventricular regional systolic dysfunction in patients with breast cancer. Drugs R D. 2012 Jun 1;12(2):101-6. 19. Loo WT, Jin LJ, Chow LW, Cheung MN, Wang M. Rhodiola algida improves chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in breast cancer patients. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2010 Apr;19 Suppl 1:S91-100. 20. Darbinyan V, Aslanyan G, Amroyan E, Gabrielyan E, Malmström C, et al. Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea L extract SHR-5 in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Nord J Psychiatry. 2007;61(5):343-8. 21. Bystritsky A, Kerwin L, Feusner JD. A pilot study of Rhodiola rosea (Rhodax) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). J Altern Complement Med. 2008 Mar;14(2):175-80. 22. Wing SL, Askew EW, Luetkemeier MJ, Ryujin DT, Kamimori GH, et al. Lack of effect of Rhodiola or oxygenated water supplementation on hypoxemia and oxidative stress. Wilderness Environ Med. 2003 Spring;14(1):9-16. 23. Loo WT, Jin LJ, Chow LW, Cheung MN, Wang M. Rhodiola algida improves chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in breast cancer patients. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2010 Apr;19 Suppl 1:S91-100. 24. Xu X, Tan C, Li P, Zhang S, Pang X, Liu H, Li L, Sun X, Zhang Y, Wu H, Chen X, Ge Q. Changes of cytokines during a spaceflight analog--a 45-day head-down bed rest. PLoS One. 2013 Oct 15;8(10):e77401. 25. Fintelmann V, Gruenwald J. Efficacy and tolerability of a Rhodiola rosea extract in adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies. Adv Ther. 2007 Jul-Aug;24(4):929-39. 26. Narimanian M, Badalyan M, Panosyan V, Gabrielyan E, Panossian A, Wikman G, Wagner H. Impact of Chisan (ADAPT-232) on the quality-of-life and its efficacy as an adjuvant in the treatment of acute non-specific pneumonia. Phytomedicine. 2005 Nov;12(10):723-9. 27. Dieamant Gde C, Velazquez Pereda Mdel C, Eberlin S, Nogueira C, Werka RM, Queiroz ML. Neuroimmunomodulatory compound for sensitive skin care: in vitro and clinical assessment. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2008 Jun;7(2):112-9. 28. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for herbal medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare; 2007. 29. Koncic MZ, Tomczyk M. New insights into dietary supplements used in sport: active substances, pharmacological and side effects. Curr Drug Targets. 2013 Aug;14(9):1079-92. 30. McGovern E, McDonnell TJ. Herbal medicine--sets the heart racing!. Ir Med J. 2010 Jul-Aug;103(7):219. 31. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for herbal medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare; 2007. 32. McGovern E, McDonnell TJ. Herbal medicine--sets the heart racing!. Ir Med J. 2010 Jul-Aug;103(7):219. 33. Xu W, Zhang T, Wang Z, Liu T, Liu Y, et al. Two potent cytochrome P450 2D6 inhibitors found in Rhodiola rosea. Pharmazie. 2013 Dec;68(12):974-6. 34. Afendi FM, Okada T, Yamazaki M, Hirai-Morita A, Nakamura Y, Nakamura K, Ikeda S, Takahashi H, Altaf-Ul-Amin M, Darusman LK, Saito K, Kanaya S. KNApSAcK family databases: integrated metabolite-plant species databases for multifaceted plant research. Plant Cell Physiol. 2012 Feb;53(2):e1.