Родіола

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

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 (3). In a 12-week, randomized, controlled trial in 57 subjects comparing rhodiola to sertraline and placebo, depression improved in both sertraline and rhodiola groups, and there was no significant difference between the two. However, rhodiola was less effective than sertraline compared to placebo but had fewer adverse effects (4). Rhodiola has shown efficacy in combination with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI, 5).

Possible adverse effects of rhodiola include dizziness and either dry mouth or excessive saliva production.

• 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 may increase levels of warfarin.

• 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.)

1. 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. 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. 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. 4. Mao JJ, Xie SX, Zee J, et al: Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine 22(3):394-399, 2015. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2015.01.010

5. 5. Gao L, Wu C, Liao Y, et al: Antidepressants effects of Rhodiola capsule combined with sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Affect Disord 265:99-103, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.01.065

The following English-language resource may be useful. Please note that THE MANUAL is not responsible for the content of this resource.

1. National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: General information on the use of rhodiola as a dietary supplement