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.
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.
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.
Side Effects
Irritabiliy
Insomnia
Scientific Name
Rhodiola rosea
Common Name
Golden root, Rose root, Hong Jing Tian, Rose root extract
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.
Purported uses
Cancer treatment
Cardiovascular disease
Depression
Fatigue
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
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).
Adverse Reactions
Irritability
Insomnia
Literature Summary and Critique
References
- Kelly GS. Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen. Altern Med Rev 2001; 6(3):293-302.
- 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.
- 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.
- Lishmanov I, et al. [The anti-arrhythmia effect of Rhodiola rosea and its possible mechanism]. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1993; 116(8):175-176.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- van Diermen D, Marston A, Bravo J, et al. Monoamine oxidase inhibition by Rhodiola rosea L. roots. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009;122(2):397-401.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
