Nootropic profile
Rhodiola Rosea
Rhodiola Rosea is a potent adaptogenic herb used for centuries in Scandinavian and Russian medicine to combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, and improve stress resilience. EMA-approved for temporary relief of stress symptoms.
Best for
Educational only: this is not medical advice. Always check with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement.
What is Rhodiola Rosea?
Rhodiola Rosea, also known as golden root or Arctic root, is a perennial flowering plant that thrives at high altitudes in cold, mountainous regions. It has a long tradition of use as an adaptogen in Russian, Scandinavian, and traditional Chinese medicine.
What it does for you
Community and editorial ratings, out of 5:
How to take it
- Daily Preventive: 200–400 mg per day of standardised extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside).
- Acute Stress: 288–680 mg per day, as used in clinical trials.
- Depression: 340–680 mg per day of SHR-5 extract for up to 12 weeks.
Watch out for
- Common Side Effects: Mild and infrequent - dry mouth, dizziness, headache, restlessness, insomnia.
- MAO Inhibitor Activity: Should not be combined with SSRI or MAOI antidepressants without medical supervision.
- Anticoagulant Interaction: May increase bleeding risk with aspirin or warfarin.
- Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient safety data.
The science, if you're curious.
- Regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to normalise cortisol release during acute and chronic stress.
- Stimulates serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine receptor activity. Enhances blood-brain barrier permeability to monoamine precursors.
- Exhibits mild inhibitory activity against monoamine oxidase enzymes, prolonging neurotransmitter effects.
- Salidroside exerts anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects, protecting neurons from oxidative stress.
Where to find it
- SHR-5 Extract: The most extensively researched standardised extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside).
- Capsules and Tablets: The most common form. Look for 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside in the 3:1 ratio.
- Quality Caution: 23% of commercial products contained no detectable rosavin. Choose third-party tested products.
The research
The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms
Cropley M, Banks AP, Boyle J - Phytotherapy Research
Rhodiola rosea (400mg daily) significantly reduced stress symptoms and improved mood within one week of treatment.
Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy
Panossian A, Wikman G, Sarris J - Phytomedicine
Rhodiola rosea consistently reduces fatigue, enhances stress resilience, and improves cognitive performance under demanding conditions.
Frequently asked
Rhodiola Rosea is a potent adaptogenic herb used for centuries in Scandinavian and Russian medicine to combat fatigue, enhance mental performance, and improve stress resilience. EMA-approved for temporary relief of stress symptoms.
The main benefits people report from Rhodiola Rosea are: Anxiety & Calm, Cognitive Enhancement, Energy, Focus, Libido, Memory, Mood, Motivation, Stress Relief.
Daily Preventive: 200–400 mg per day of standardised extract (3% rosavins, 1% salidroside).Acute Stress: 288–680 mg per day, as used in clinical trials.Depression: 340–680 mg per day of SHR-5 extract for up to 12 weeks.
Common Side Effects: Mild and infrequent - dry mouth, dizziness, headache, restlessness, insomnia.MAO Inhibitor Activity: Should not be combined with SSRI or MAOI antidepressants without medical supervision.Anticoagulant Interaction: May increase bleeding risk with aspirin or warfarin.Pregnancy: Not...
Regulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to normalise cortisol release during acute and chronic stress.Stimulates serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine receptor activity. Enhances blood-brain barrier permeability to monoamine precursors.Exhibits mild inhibitory activity against monoamine...
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