Description
Medicinal Parts
Root.
Botanical Description
The plant reaches a height of 12 to 30 inches (70cm) and produces yellow blossoms. It is a perennial with a thick rhizome, fragrant when cut.
Habitat
China; Kazakhstan; Uzbekistan; Mongolia; Russian Federation; Austria; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia; Finland; France; Greenland, Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Norway; Poland; Romania; Spain; Sweden; United Kingdom; Canada; United States.
Other Names
Roseroot, Golden Root
Actions & Pharmacology
Compounds
Various compounds have isolated from the root of Rhodiola rosea. These include flavonoids (rodiolin, rodionin, rodiosin, acetylrodalgin, tricin), monoterpernes (rosiridol, rosaridin), phenylpropanoids (rosavin, rosin, rosarin), triterpenes (daucosterol, beta-sitosterol), phenolic acids (chlorogenic and hydroxycinnamic, gallic acids), and phenylethanol derivatives (salidroside, rhodioloside, tyrosol).
Effects
Effects upon the central nervous system, adaptogenic, anti-stress, and neuroendocrine effects, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, cardioprotective, as well as endocrine and reproductive effects are reported.
Clinical Trials
Physical/Cognitive Performance
During a 12-week drug monitoring study, efficacy and tolerability of a Rhodiola extract combined with vitamins and minerals (vigodana®) was assessed in 120 adults suffering from physical and cognitive deficiencies. The patients received a daily dose of 2 capsules. A statistically significant improvement (p<0.001) was demonstrated for physical and cognitive deficiencies. The preparation was well-tolerated (Gruenwald et al, 2007).
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study was designed to investigate the effect of acute Rhodiola rosea intake on physical capacity, muscle strength, speed of limb movement, reaction time, and attention in healthy volunteers. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either Rhodiola rosea (200 mg Rhodiola rosea extract) or placebo (700 mg starch) over a period of 4 weeks. The results documented that Rhodiola can improve endurance exercise capacity (De Bock, et al, 2004).
The antifatigue effect of a standardized Rhodiola rosea extract (SHR-5) was demonstrated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical study. A total of 161 cadets, aged 19 to 21 years, received a single dose of Rhodiola extract or placebo. Antifatigue index was significantly different in the Rhodiola group compared to placebo, indicating antifatigue effects of Rhodiola rosea (Shetsov et al, 2003).
The objective of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was to investigate the stimulating and normalizing effect of Rhodiola rosea extract SHR-5 in 40 foreign students during a stressful examination period. The study medication or placebo was taken for 20 days. The most significant improvement in the SHR-5 group was seen in physical fitness, mental fatigue, and neuromotor tests (p<0.01). A self-assessment of general well-being was also significantly better (p<0.05) in the Rhodiola group. No significance was found in the correction of text tests or a neuromuscular tapping test (Spasov et al, 2000).
A clinical study was designed to determine the effects of repeated low-dose treatment with a standardized extract derived from Rhodiola rosea, SHR-5, on fatigue during night duty among 56 young, healthy physicians. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design was used. The effect was measured as total mental performance, calculated as Fatigue Index. A statistically significant improvement of test parameters was observed in the Rhodiola group and no side effects were reported. The results suggest that Rhodiola rosea extract can reduce general fatigue under certain stressful conditions (Darbinyan et al, 2000).
Indications & Usage
Unproven Uses
Traditional folk medicine used R. rosea to increase physical endurance, work productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, and to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.
Probable Efficacy
Rhodiola may be helpful in relieving mental and physical fatigue and improving endurance exercise performance and general well-being.
Contraindications
Rhodiola rosea has demonstrated very low occurrences of side effects, and available clinical evidence suggests it has a low toxicity. There are currently no contraindications with prescription medications. Most users find that it improves their mood, energy level, and mental clarity. R. rosea should be taken early in the day because it can interfere with sleep or cause vivid dreams (not nightmares) during the first few weeks. It is contraindicated in excited states.
Precautions & Adverse Reactions
Because R. rosea has an activating, antidepressant effect, it should not be used in individuals with bipolar disorder who are vulnerable to becoming manic when given antidepressants or stimulants.
Drug Interactions
Potential Interactions
Rhodiola does not appear to interact with other medications, although it may have additive effects when taken with other stimulants.
Dosage
Daily Dose
50 to 200mg per day is recommended for clinical effectiveness.
Literature
Abidov M, Crendal F, Grachev S, Seifulla R, Ziegenfuss T. Effect of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola crenulata (Crassulaceae) roots on ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2003 Dec;136(6):585-7.Abidov M, Grachev S, Seifulla RD, Ziegenfuss TN. Extract of Rhodiola rosea radix reduces the level of C-reactive protein and creatinine kinase in the blood. Bull Exp Biol Med. 2004 Jul;138(1):63-4.Afanas'ev SA, Alekseeva ED, Bardamova IB, Maslova LV, Lishmanov IuB. [Cardiac contractile function following acute cooling of the body and the adaptogenic correction of its disorders] Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993 Nov;116(11):480-3. Russian.Akgul Y, Ferreira D, Abourashed EA, Khan IA. Lotaustralin from Rhodiola rosea roots. Fitoterapia. 2004 Sep;75(6):612-4.Anon. Rhodiola rosea. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2002 Oct;7(5):421-3.Battistelli M, De Sanctis R, De Bellis R, Cucchiarini L, Dacha M, Gobbi P. Rhodiola rosea as antioxidant in red blood cells: ultrastructural and hemolytic behaviour. Eur J Histochem. 2005 Jul-Sep;49(3):243-54.Bocharova OA, Matveev BP, Baryshnikov AIu, Figurin KM, Serebriakova RV, Bodrova NB.[The effect of a Rhodiola rosea extract on the incidence of recurrences of a superficial bladder cancer (experimental clinical research)] Urol Nefrol (Mosk). 1995 Mar-Apr;(2):46-7. Russian.Brown RP, Gerbarg PL, Ramazanov Z. Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview. HerbalGram. 2002;56:40-52Colson 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.Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, 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; 7(5): 365-371. 2000.De Bock K, Eijnde BO, Ramaekers M, Hespel. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab; 14(3): 298-307. 2004.De Sanctis R, De Bellis R, Scesa C, Mancini U, Cucchiarini L, Dacha M. In vitro protective effect of Rhodiola rosea extract against hypochlorous acid-induced oxidative damage in human erythrocytes. Biofactors. 2004;20(3):147-59.Dement'eva LA, Iaremenko KV. [Effect of a Rhodiola extract on the tumor process in an experiment] Vopr Onkol. 1987;33(7):57-60. Russian.Gruenwald J, Busch R, Biller A. Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit einer Kombination mit Rhodiola-rosea-Extrakt bei älteren Erwachsenen mit verminderter körperlicher und geistiger Vitalität. Erfahrungsheilkunde; 56: 138-142. 2007.Iaremii IN, Grigor'eva NF. [Hepatoprotective properties of liquid extract of Rhodiola rosea] Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2002 Nov-Dec;65(6):57-9. Russian.Kelly GS. Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen. Altern Med Rev. 2001 Jun;6(3):293-302. Review.Kim SH, Hyun SH, Choung SY. Antioxidative effects of Cinnamomi cassiae and Rhodiola rosea extracts in liver of diabetic mice. Biofactors. 2006;26(3):209-19.Kucinskaite A, Briedis V, Savickas A. [Experimental analysis of therapeutic properties of Rhodiola rosea L. and its possible application in medicine] Medicina (Kaunas). 2004;40(7):614-9. Review. Lithuanian.Kwon YI, Jang HD, Shetty K. Evaluation of Rhodiola crenulata and Rhodiola rosea for management of type II diabetes and hypertension. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2006;15(3):425-32.Lishmanov IuB, Maslova LV, Maslov LN, Dan'shina EN. [The anti-arrhythmia effect of Rhodiola rosea and its possible mechanism] Biull Eksp Biol Med. 1993 Aug;116(8):175-6. Russian.Lishmanov IuB, Naumova AV, Afanas'ev SA, Maslov LN. [Contribution of the opioid system to realization of inotropic effects of Rhodiola rosea extracts in ischemic and reperfusion heart damage in vitro] Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1997 May-Jun;60(3):34-6. Russian.Ma G, Li W, Dou D, Chang X, Bai H, Satou T, Li J, Sun D, Kang T, Nikaido T, Koike K. Rhodiolosides A-E, monoterpene glycosides from Rhodiola rosea. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2006 Aug;54(8):1229-33.Maimeskulova LA, Maslov LN, Lishmanov IuB, Krasnov EA. [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 Jan-Feb;60(1):38-9. Russian.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 Mar-Apr;61(2):37-40. Russian.Majewska A, Hoser G, Furmanowa M, Urbanska N, Pietrosiuk A, Zobel A, Kuras M. Antiproliferative and antimitotic effect, S phase accumulation and induction of apoptosis and necrosis after treatment of extract from Rhodiola rosea rhizomes on HL-60 cells. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jan 3;103(1):43-52. Epub 2005 Sep 19.Maslova LV, Kondrat'ev BIu, Maslov LN, Lishmanov IuB. [The cardioprotective and antiadrenergic activity of an extract of Rhodiola rosea in stress] Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1994 Nov-Dec;57(6):61-3. Russian.Mattioli L, Perfumi M. Rhodiola rosea L. extract reduces stress- and CRF-induced anorexia in rats. J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan 26Ming DS, Hillhouse BJ, Guns ES, Eberding A, Xie S, Vimalanathan S, Towers GH. Bioactive compounds from Rhodiola rosea (Crassulaceae). Phytother Res. 2005 Sep;19(9):740-3.Perfumi M, Mattioli L. Adaptogenic and central nervous system effects of single doses of 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside Rhodiola rosea L. extract in mice. Phytother Res. 2007 Jan;21(1):37-43.Petkov VD, Yonkov D, Mosharoff A, Kambourova T, Alova L, Petkov VV, Todorov I. Effects of alcohol aqueous extract from Rhodiola rosea L. roots on learning and memory. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg. 1986;12(1):3-16.Pogorelyi VE, Makarova LM. [Rhodiola rosea extract for prophylaxis of ischemic cerebral circulation disorder] Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2002 Jul-Aug;65(4):19-22. Russian.Rohloff J. Volatiles from rhizomes of Rhodiola rosea L. Phytochemistry. 2002 Mar;59(6):655-61.Salikhova RA, Aleksandrova IV, Mazurik VK, Mikhailov VF, Ushenkova LN, Poroshenko GG. [Effect of Rhodiola rosea on the yield of mutation alterations and DNA repair in bone marrow cells] Patol Fiziol Eksp Ter. 1997 Oct-Dec;(4):22-4. Russian.Sarris J. Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review. Phytother Res. 2007 Jun 11; [Epub ahead of print]Shetsov VA, Zholus BI, Shervarly VI, 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; 10: 95-105. 2003.Spasov AA, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA. [The effect of the preparation rodakson on the psychophysiological and physical adaptation of students to an academic load] Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2000 Jan-Feb;63(1):76-8. Russian.Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, 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 repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine; 7(2): 85-89. 2000.Tolonen A, Pakonen M, Hohtola A, Jalonen J. Phenylpropanoid glycosides from Rhodiola rosea. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2003 Apr;51(4):467-70.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):323-31.Walker TB, Robergs RA. Does Rhodiola rosea possess ergogenic properties? Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2006 Jun;16(3):305-15. Review.Wiedenfeld H, Dumaa M, Malinowski M, Furmanowa M, Narantuya S. Phytochemical and analytical studies of extracts from Rhodiola rosea and Rhodiola quadrifida. Pharmazie. 2007 Apr;62(4):308-11. Erratum in: Pharmazie. 2007 May;62(5):400.Yousef GG, Grace MH, Cheng DM, Belolipov IV, Raskin I, Lila MA. Comparative phytochemical characterization of three Rhodiola species. Phytochemistry. 2006 Nov;67(21):2380-91.
