About Herbs, Botanicals & Other Products

Scientific Name
Rhodiola rosea
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Common Name

Golden root, Rose root, Hong Jing Tian, Rose root extract

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Clinical Summary

Rhodiola is a plant used in traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia to enhance physical and mental performance, stimulate the nervous system, fight depression, and to improve sleep. The antioxidant properties of the flavonoids and organic acids present in rhodiola are said to be responsible for its effects (1). The root extracts of rhodiola demonstrated strong anti-depressant activity (12) and studies done in rats found cardioprotective (2) (3) (4) and anticancer effects (5).
Supplementation with rhodiola improved physical endurance (6) (13), mental performance (7) (8), and reduced stress-induced fatigue in humans (9) (14). Preliminary data suggest that it may be effective against generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) (15). No serious adverse effects have been reported from the use of rhodiola.

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Purported Uses
  • Cancer treatment
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Depression
  • Fatigue
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Constituents
  • Flavonoids: Catechins and Proanthocyanidins
  • Organic acids: Gallic acid, Caffeic acid, and Chlorogenic acid
  • Phenolic glycosides: Rhodioloside, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, rhodiolin, and rosiviridin
  • Tannins
  • p-Tyrosol
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Mechanism of Action

Rhodiola exerts cardioprotective and central nervous system stimulant effects by altering the levels of biogenic monoamines such as dopamine, nor-epinephrine, and serotonin in the brain. This modulation is believed to result from inhibition of the enzymes monoamine oxidase and catechol-o-methyl transferase that are responsible for monoamine degradation (10). Rhodiola also aids the transport of neurotransmitters in the brain (10). It is thought to help the body adapt to stressors by preventing release of catecholamine and increase in cyclic AMP levels in the myocardium, and by depleting adrenal catecholamine (11). The root extracts of rhodiola were shown to have strong anti-depressant effects by inhibiting monoamine oxidases (MAOs) A and B (12).

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Adverse Reactions
  • Irritability
  • Insomnia
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Herb-Drug Interactions
  • Cytochrome P450 3A4 substrates: Rhodiola inhibits CYP3A4 and can affect the intracellular concentration of drugs metabolized by this enzyme (16).
  • P-Glycoprotein substrates: Rhodiola was shown to inhibit P-Gp activity and can interfere with the metabolism of certain drugs (16).
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Literature Summary and Critique

Shevtsov VA, 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;10(2-3):95-105.
In this study 161 cadets, ages 19 to 21 years, were randomized to receive either a single dose of standardized rhodiola extract, a single dose that was 50% stronger than the standardized dose, or placebo. Researchers found that the cadets who received rhodiola extract showed significant lowering of fatigue as measured by an antifatigue index compared to those on placebo. There was no difference in the index between the two dosage groups. However, these results cannot be generalized. More well-designed studies are warranted.

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References
  1. Kelly GS. Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen. Altern Med Rev 2001; 6(3):293-302.
  2. Maimeskulova LA, Maslov LN. [The anti-arrhythmia action of an extract of Rhodiola rosea and of n-tyrosol in models of experimental arrhythmias]. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1998; 61(2):37-40.
  3. Maimeskulova LA, et al. [The participation of the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptors in the realization of the anti-arrhythmia effect of Rhodiola rosea]. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1997; 60(1):38-39.
  4. Lishmanov I, et al. [The anti-arrhythmia effect of Rhodiola rosea and its possible mechanism]. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1993; 116(8):175-176.
  5. Udintsev SN, Shakhov VP. The role of humoral factors of regenerating liver in the development of experimental tumors and the effect of Rhodiola rosea extract on this process. Neoplasma 1991; 38(3):323-331.
  6. De Bock K, et al. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2004; 14(3):298-307.
  7. Darbinyan V, et al. 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; 7(5):365-371.
  8. Shevtsov VA, 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; 10(2-3):95-105.
  9. Spasov AA, et al. 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; 7(2):85-89.
  10. Stancheva SL, Mosharrof A. Effect of the extract of Rhodiola rosea L. on the content of the brain biogenic monamines. Med Physiol 1987;40:85-87.
  11. Maslova LV, et al. [The cardioprotective and antiadrenergic activity of an extract of Rhodiola rosea in stress]. Eksp Klin Farmakol 1994; 57(6):61-63.
  12. van Diermen D, Marston A, Bravo J, et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibition by Rhodiola rosea L. roots. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;122(2):397-401.
  13. 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.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. Hellum BH, Tosse A, Hoybakk K, et al. Potent in vitro inhibition of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein by Rhodiola rosea. Planta Med. 2010 Mar;76(4):331-8.
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How It Works

Bottom Line: Rhodiola was shown to improve physical and mental performance by reducing fatigue caused by stress.

Rhodiola is used in traditional medicine in Eastern Europe and Asia as a stimulant, to improve performance, and to reduce fatigue and depression. Scientists believe that the antioxidants present in rhodiola are responsible for its effects. Studies done in rats show that rhodiola protects the heart from damage caused by stress. In animals, rhodiola stopped the growth of tumor cells and prevented them from spreading to other parts of the body. However, these effects have not been shown in humans.

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Purported Uses
  • Depression
    Laboratory studies found that rhodiola root extracts have antidepressant effects. Further research is needed.
  • Cardiovascular disease
    Studies done in rats showed that rhodiola has cardioprotective effects.
  • Cancer treatment
    Rhodiola extracts may stop tumor growth when administered to rats with adenocarcinoma and lymphosarcoma. These effects have not been shown in humans.
  • Fatigue
    Several studies found that rhodiola can reduce fatigue under stressful conditions.
  • Performance
    Rhodiola improved exercise capacity and mental performance in human studies.
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Research Evidence

Fatigue
This study was done to determine the effects of rhodiola extract on mental performance under stress and fatigue. One hundred and sixty-two cadets were divided into groups that received either different doses of rhodiola or a placebo. The study found that the groups that were given rhodiola had lowered fatigue and performed better when compared to those on placebo.

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Do Not Take If
  • If you are taking drugs that are substrates of Cytochrome P450 3A4 (Rhodiola may increase the risk of side effects of these drugs).
  • If you are taking drugs that are substrates of P-Glycoprotein (Rhodiola may increase the risk of side effects of these drugs).
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Side Effects
  • Irritabiliy
  • Insomnia
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Aliases
Hong Jing Tian
Rose root
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Last updated: April 15, 2011