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Rhodiola Rosea

Cognitive & Nootropic

Last reviewed: May 26, 2026

Also Known As: Arctic root, golden root, roseroot; SHR-5 is the standardized-extract form used in the foundational clinical trials

Supplement Class: Adaptogenic herb / HPA axis modulator / mild MAO inhibitor / monoamine preservation / mild opioid receptor agonist

Evidence Tier: Strong (mental fatigue under stress and chronic burnout) — Spasov et al. 2000's student-stress RCT, Olsson et al. 2009's burnout RCT, Hung et al. 2011's systematic review of 11 RCTs, Anghelescu et al. 2018's review. Moderate (antidepressant) — Mao et al. 2015's head-to-head against sertraline reports comparable depression-score direction with a better safety profile but smaller absolute efficacy. One of the more consistent adaptogen evidence bases.

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What is rhodiola rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is a flowering plant native to cold mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, particularly Siberia and Scandinavia, with a documented history of traditional use in Russian and Nordic medicine for endurance, fatigue reduction, and stress resilience — reported here as historical context, separate from the RCT evidence below. It belongs to the adaptogen class, herbs discussed in the literature as helping the body adapt to stressors by normalizing physiological processes. The primary bioactive compounds are rosavins and salidroside, working through multiple mechanism layers: HPA-axis modulation, MAO inhibition, opioid receptor activation, serotonin reuptake inhibition, and antioxidant effects. The evidence base is one of the more consistent in the adaptogen space: Spasov et al. 2000 (SHR-5 in stressed medical students), Olsson et al. 2009 (burnout in chronically stressed adults), Hung et al. 2011's systematic review of 11 RCTs, and Mao et al. 2015's head-to-head against sertraline reporting antidepressant-comparable direction with a better safety profile. The trial base covers both acute (pre-stressor) and chronic (daily burnout) protocols. Rhodiola is discussed alongside cognitive peptide Semax via the neurotrophic-stress axis, and is described as distinct from ashwagandha (mildly stimulating versus mildly calming) — the two are sometimes paired AM and PM.

Reported benefits:

  • Significant mental fatigue reduction under acute stress (Spasov et al. 2000's student exam RCT)
  • Burnout symptom reduction and reduced cortisol-awakening response (Olsson et al. 2009)
  • Antidepressant-comparable direction in mild-moderate depression with a better safety profile than the comparison SSRI (Mao et al. 2015)
  • Improved cognitive performance under stress and sleep deprivation in some trials
  • Reduced perceived exertion and improved time-to-exhaustion in endurance exercise
  • HPA-axis normalization during chronic stress (cortisol modulation)
  • Monoamine preservation via MAO inhibition (dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin)

Common dose: 200–600 mg/day of an SHR-5-standardized extract (roughly 3% rosavins + 1% salidroside), dosed in the morning or early afternoon in the trials reviewed. Acute pre-stressor dose: 200–400 mg 30–60 minutes before. Late-day dosing is reported to carry an insomnia risk for some users given the mildly stimulating effect.

Reported safety considerations: SSRI interaction (a reported serotonergic mechanism overlap — clinician coordination is standard guidance); species substitution (Rhodiola rosea versus R. crenulata / R. sachalinensis — species verification on the label is the relevant check); morning-only dosing is reported to avoid insomnia risk.

On this page
  1. 1.How does rhodiola rosea work?
  2. 2.What does the evidence say rhodiola rosea does?
  3. 3.How is rhodiola rosea dosed in trials and on labels?
  4. 4.How rhodiola rosea is taken
  5. 5.What does rhodiola rosea stack with?
  6. 6.Side effects and interactions
  7. 7.What isn't established about rhodiola rosea
  8. 8.Product-quality considerations
  9. 9.Rhodiola Rosea FAQ
  10. 10.References
  11. 11.Published Studies

How does rhodiola rosea work?

Rhodiola is discussed in the literature as working through multiple parallel mechanisms — HPA-axis modulation, monoamine oxidase inhibition, opioid receptor activation, and serotonin reuptake inhibition. The combination is described as producing stress resilience without sedation and mild stimulation without jitteriness at typical doses.

  1. HPA axis modulation. Rhodiola is reported to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, the core stress-response system, helping normalize cortisol levels during chronic stress. Olsson et al. 2009 reports a reduced morning-awakening cortisol response with chronic supplementation — the mechanism arm discussed as most relevant for chronic burnout and stress-fatigue contexts.
  2. Monoamine oxidase inhibition. Salidroside and rosavins are reported to inhibit MAO enzymes that break down dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, preserving these neurotransmitters. This mechanism is described as overlapping with prescription MAO-inhibitor antidepressants (selegiline, phenelzine) but at a much milder magnitude.
  3. Opioid receptor activation. Rhodiola is reported to activate mu-opioid receptors in the brain, contributing to stress-protective and mood-related effects — mechanistically distinct from opioid analgesics, with the activation described as modest and not producing analgesia or dependence risk at supplemental doses.
  4. Serotonin reuptake inhibition. Rhodiola is reported to modestly inhibit serotonin transporters — the same general mechanism class as SSRIs but at lower potency, discussed as contributing to the antidepressant-like effects reported in Mao et al. 2015's trial against sertraline.
  5. Antioxidant effects. Rhodiola is reported to reduce oxidative stress in neural and muscle tissue in cellular studies, discussed as secondary to the stress-response mechanisms but contributing to broader effects on exercise performance and recovery.
  6. Energy metabolism and ATP. Rhodiola is discussed as supporting cellular energy metabolism and ATP production in muscle and brain tissue, contributing to reported anti-fatigue effects and improvements in time-to-exhaustion during exercise.
  7. Combined anti-fatigue profile. The combined mechanism is described in the literature as producing a distinctive anti-fatigue effect — reduced mental tiredness without acute stimulation, and improved performance under stress without sedation. The Spasov et al. 2000 student-stress trial is discussed as capturing this profile.

What does the evidence say rhodiola rosea does?

Rhodiola has one of the more consistent adaptogen evidence bases. The strongest evidence is for mental fatigue during acute stress (Spasov et al. 2000) and chronic burnout (Olsson et al. 2009). The antidepressant evidence is moderate (Mao et al. 2015's head-to-head against sertraline). Physical performance and time-to-exhaustion effects are reported in athletic contexts.

  1. Mental fatigue under acute stress (Strong). Spasov et al. 2000, in medical students during an examination period, reports significant improvements in physical fitness, mental fatigue, and neuro-motor function versus placebo.
  2. Chronic burnout and stress-related fatigue (Strong). Olsson et al. 2009 (28-day RCT, n=60) reports significant improvements in Pines' burnout scale scores and attention, alongside a reduced morning cortisol-awakening response.
  3. Mild-moderate depression (Moderate). Mao et al. 2015's head-to-head trial against sertraline reports rhodiola produced depression-score reductions with a more favorable safety profile than the SSRI but smaller absolute efficacy.
  4. Physical endurance and time-to-exhaustion (Moderate). Multiple exercise trials discussed in the broader literature report improved time-to-exhaustion and reduced perceived exertion with acute pre-exercise rhodiola dosing, with modest reported effect sizes.
  5. Anxiety reduction (Moderate). Reduced anxiety scores are reported in stress-related and burnout populations across multiple trials, discussed as part of the general adaptogen profile rather than a dedicated anxiolytic effect.
  6. Cognitive performance under sleep deprivation (Moderate). Some trials in military and shift-work contexts report rhodiola preserving cognitive function during sleep restriction.
  7. Mood elevation (Modest). General mood improvement is reported in multiple trials, with a smaller effect than dedicated antidepressants but described as consistent across studies.
  8. Athletic competition contexts (Modest-Moderate). Acute pre-competition dosing is reported to reduce perceived exertion and produce modest endurance improvements, discussed as used in elite-athlete contexts in Russia and Scandinavia.

How is rhodiola rosea dosed in trials and on labels?

Rhodiola dosing draws on a reasonably well-characterized trial base. The standard reported range is 200–600 mg/day of standardized extract (roughly 3% rosavins plus 1% salidroside, SHR-5 or equivalent). Acute protocols dose once before a stressor; chronic protocols dose daily for 2–6 weeks.

Prof. Peptide reports what trials established and what research communities practice, labelled separately. Neither is a recommendation.

  1. Standard chronic dose. 200–400 mg/day of an SHR-5-equivalent extract, dosed in the morning in the trials reviewed. Olsson et al. 2009's burnout protocol used 576 mg/day (288 mg twice daily).
  2. Acute pre-stressor dose. 200–400 mg taken 30–60 minutes before an exam, presentation, or demanding cognitive task, consistent with the Spasov et al. 2000 protocol (170 mg twice daily) and reported acute onset within an hour.
  3. Antidepressant adjunct dose. 340 mg/day standardized extract — the Mao et al. 2015 trial protocol. Clinician coordination is standard guidance if combining with SSRIs, given the reported serotonergic mechanism overlap.
  4. Exercise endurance dose. 200–400 mg taken 30–60 minutes before endurance training or competition, per the acute pre-exercise trials discussed above.
  5. Upper end of trial doses. Around 600 mg/day; beyond this, reported side effects (jitteriness, insomnia, irritability) are described as scaling faster than benefit.

Reported timeline: acute effects within roughly 60 minutes in the trials reviewed; chronic burnout/fatigue effects emerge over 2–6 weeks. No clear tolerance development is documented in the trial base reviewed for this page.

Label math. Labels vary in whether "Rhodiola rosea extract standardized to 3% rosavins + 1% salidroside" or "SHR-5" is explicitly disclosed. Products using related species (R. crenulata, R. sachalinensis) are reported in the literature to sometimes carry lower rosavin content than the trial-validated form.

How rhodiola rosea is taken

Rhodiola is taken orally as capsules of standardized extract. The table below reports what the cited trials and labels describe for timing and form.

AspectReported
FrequencyOnce daily in the morning for chronic-use trial protocols, or once before a known stressor for acute-use protocols. Higher doses were split AM and early afternoon in some trials.
Time of dayMorning or early afternoon dosing is common in labels, reflecting the mildly stimulating effect reported to disrupt sleep when dosed later in the day.
FoodAbsorption is not reported as strongly food-dependent in the trials reviewed.
FormSHR-5-standardized extract (3% rosavins + 1% salidroside) is the trial-validated form used in Spasov et al. 2000 and Olsson et al. 2009. Unstandardized whole-root powder is reported to carry variable bioactive content.
Standardization markerLabels vary in whether they specify Rhodiola rosea (as opposed to R. crenulata or another species) and disclose the rosavin/salidroside standardization percentage — species substitution is reported as a documented industry quality issue.
CyclingNo cycling protocol appears in the cited trials, which extend to 6–12 weeks of continuous daily use; no clear tolerance development is documented in the sources reviewed.

What does rhodiola rosea stack with?

Rhodiola is discussed alongside the broader cognitive-enhancement and stress-modulation toolkit. Its adaptogen mechanism is described as complementary to neurotrophic peptides, GABAergic anxiolytics, and other stress-modulation supplements.

With peptides

Rhodiola is discussed alongside the cognitive peptide cluster, particularly via the stress-response and neurotrophic axes. Semax (an ACTH(4-10) analog) is reported to modulate BDNF and neurotrophic signaling. Rhodiola is discussed as operating at complementary layers: HPA-axis modulation, MAO inhibition (preserving dopamine and norepinephrine for cognitive function under stress), opioid receptor activation, and modest serotonin reuptake inhibition. No negative interaction is documented in the sources reviewed for this page. Selank (a tuftsin analog with GABAergic anxiolytic effects) is discussed as a possible additional layer.

With supplements

  1. Ashwagandha — a calming adaptogen with a reported cortisol-blunting effect, on a different reported timeframe than rhodiola. See the Ashwagandha vs Rhodiola Rosea comparison.
  2. L-theanine — reported alpha-wave calm-focus and GABAergic modulation, discussed alongside rhodiola's stimulating effect.
  3. Bacopa monnieri — reported chronic synaptic remodeling and memory consolidation, a different timescale mechanism.
  4. Alpha-GPC — an acetylcholine substrate for cognitive performance.
  5. Lion's Mane — reported NGF/BDNF support via a different mechanism.
  6. Caffeine + L-theanine — a compatible acute cognitive stack, with rhodiola adding a chronic adaptogen layer.

With lifestyle factors

  1. Timing. Morning or early-afternoon dosing is the pattern used in the trials cited above; later dosing is reported to disrupt sleep onset for some users.
  2. Pre-stressor acute timing. 30–60 minutes before known stressors, consistent with the Spasov et al. 2000 protocol.
  3. Chronic burnout protocol. Daily morning dosing for 4–6 weeks, consistent with the Olsson et al. 2009 timeline for HPA-axis normalization.
  4. Sleep hygiene. Discussed in the literature as complementary to rhodiola's daytime stress-resilience effect.
  5. SSRIs. Clinician coordination is standard guidance for any concurrent use, given the reported serotonergic mechanism overlap.

Side effects and interactions

Rhodiola shows favorable tolerability at standard doses across the trials cited. The main considerations reported are mild stimulant-like effects (jitteriness, insomnia if dosed late), potential serotonergic interactions with prescription antidepressants, and a pregnancy contraindication common to adaptogens generally.

Common (mostly transient)

  1. Insomnia or sleep disruption — reported primarily with late-day dosing; morning-only dosing is the common mitigation.
  2. Mild irritability or jitteriness — reported at higher doses or in stimulant-sensitive users, with dose reduction as the common mitigation.
  3. Mild GI discomfort — reported occasionally, generally at higher doses.
  4. Dry mouth — reported uncommonly, dose-related.
  5. No serious adverse events are documented at standard supplemental doses across the human RCT base cited above.

Less common (watch-list)

  1. Mild blood-pressure effects — a modest BP modulation is reported; monitoring during titration is standard guidance for people on antihypertensives.
  2. Bipolar mood instability — adaptogens with mild stimulation are theoretically discussed as potentially destabilizing mood in bipolar disorder; specialist coordination is standard guidance.
  3. Pregnancy — adaptogen effects during pregnancy are not well-characterized in the sources reviewed.

Drug and supplement interactions

  1. SSRIs and other antidepressants. A reported serotonergic mechanism overlap creates a theoretical risk of additive effects at high combined doses; clinician coordination is standard guidance.
  2. MAO inhibitors (selegiline, phenelzine). Mechanism overlap given rhodiola's reported mild MAO inhibition; avoiding the combination is standard guidance.
  3. Stimulant medications (ADHD drugs, modafinil, caffeine). Additive stimulation is a reported consideration.
  4. Blood pressure medications — a modest additive effect is reported; BP monitoring during titration is standard guidance.
  5. Diabetes medications — a mild glucose-lowering effect is reported; glucose monitoring is standard guidance if combined with insulin, sulfonylureas, or GLP-based therapies.
  6. Anticoagulants — a mild antiplatelet effect is reported; coordination is standard guidance for chronic anticoagulant users.
  7. Pregnancy and breastfeeding — avoidance is standard guidance, given the limited safety characterization noted above.

What isn't established about rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola has one of the more consistent adaptogen evidence bases, but several open questions affect how confidently it can be described in specific contexts.

Species substitution and product quality. Rhodiola rosea is the trial-validated species; some commercial products substitute related species (R. crenulata, R. sachalinensis) reported to carry lower rosavin content. Independent testing referenced in the broader literature has documented species substitution and inconsistent rosavin/salidroside content in commercial products.

Antidepressant efficacy magnitude. Mao et al. 2015's trial against sertraline reports rhodiola produces depression-score reductions with a better safety profile but smaller absolute efficacy than the SSRI. Where rhodiola sits in the depression-treatment landscape isn't precisely characterized by the evidence reviewed.

Safety beyond 12 weeks. Most trial data reviewed extends to 4–12 weeks; multi-year continuous use has not been directly RCT-characterized in the sources reviewed for this page.

Tolerance development. The clinical-trial base reviewed doesn't document clear tolerance development at supplemental doses; whether cycling protocols discussed by some practitioners are necessary is unresolved by the current literature.

Rosavins vs salidroside relative contribution. The two bioactive compound classes have somewhat different discussed mechanism profiles; whether the roughly 3:1 rosavin-to-salidroside ratio is optimal, or whether other ratios produce different effects, isn't precisely characterized.

SSRI combination safety threshold. The mechanistic overlap creates a theoretical serotonin syndrome risk at high combined doses; the clinical-significance threshold for typical SSRI doses combined with supplemental rhodiola isn't precisely characterized in the sources reviewed.

Effect in healthy, non-stressed young adults. Most positive evidence is in stressed, fatigued, or depressed populations. Whether rhodiola produces meaningful benefit in healthy non-stressed adults seeking general cognitive enhancement is less directly supported by the trial data reviewed.

Product-quality considerations

Rhodiola rosea is widely available, but species substitution and standardization variance are reported as real industry quality issues. Standardization to rosavins and salidroside is the central quality marker discussed in the literature.

Quality markers reported in the category

  • Rhodiola rosea species explicitly stated — rather than R. crenulata, R. sachalinensis, or an unspecified "Rhodiola" — since species substitution is a documented quality issue in the literature.
  • Standardized to roughly 3% rosavins + 1% salidroside — the SHR-5 standardization or equivalent used in most of the positive trials cited above.
  • 200–400 mg per capsule — within the trial-validated dose range, allowing flexible single- or split-dose protocols.
  • Third-party testing — USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab certification; DNA-based species verification is a relevant additional screen given the species-substitution risk.
  • cGMP-certified manufacturing facility.
  • Proprietary "stress" or "adaptogen" blends that obscure the actual Rhodiola dose alongside other ingredients don't allow independent evaluation.
  • Sourcing disclosure — wild Rhodiola rosea is reported to be increasingly scarce, and cultivated-vs-wild sourcing disclosure is a relevant quality marker.
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Rhodiola Rosea FAQ

What dose of Rhodiola rosea appears in the cited trials?

Trials commonly used 170–680 mg/day of standardized extract carrying roughly 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside (the SHR-5 standardization or equivalent). Spasov et al. 2000's student-stress trial used 170 mg twice daily; Olsson et al. 2009's burnout trial used 576 mg/day; Mao et al. 2015's antidepressant trial used 340 mg/day. Labels commonly recommend morning dosing, since rhodiola is reported as mildly stimulating for many users and can disrupt sleep if taken late in the day.

Does the evidence support both acute and chronic use protocols?

Both patterns appear in the trial base. Acute protocols dose 30–60 minutes before a stressful event, with anti-fatigue effects reported to manifest within an hour in some trials. Chronic protocols dose daily for 2–6 weeks, targeting the reported HPA-axis-normalization effect that builds over time. Spasov et al. 2000 used a repeated low-dose regimen around an examination period; Olsson et al. 2009 used a 28-day continuous protocol for chronic burnout.

Does the rosavin-to-salidroside ratio matter?

The literature reports it as a relevant quality marker. Rhodiola's two main bioactive compound classes are rosavins and salidroside. Most of the positive trials cited on this page used the SHR-5 extract or an equivalent standardized to roughly 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside — close to the ratio reported in wild Russian/Scandinavian Rhodiola rosea root. Products sourced from other Rhodiola species (R. crenulata, R. sachalinensis) are reported to sometimes contain rosavins at lower concentrations, and products without disclosed standardization are reported to vary in bioactive content.

How does rhodiola compare mechanistically to ashwagandha?

The two adaptogens are described with different reported profiles. Rhodiola is reported as mildly stimulating, reducing mental fatigue and improving performance under stress without sedation. Ashwagandha is reported as mildly calming, reducing cortisol and anxiety symptoms. Mechanistically, rhodiola is discussed as acting via HPA-axis modulation plus MAO inhibition and monoamine preservation, while ashwagandha is discussed as acting via HPA-axis modulation plus GABAergic and mild thyroid effects. The two are sometimes stacked together in the literature, with rhodiola dosed in the morning and ashwagandha in the evening.

Does rhodiola stack with Semax for cognitive performance under stress?

The mechanisms are reported as complementary. Semax (an ACTH(4-10) analog) is reported to modulate BDNF and neurotrophic signaling, addressing stress-induced cognitive impairment via that pathway. Rhodiola is discussed as operating at different layers: HPA-axis modulation, monoamine preservation via MAO inhibition, opioid receptor activation, and modest serotonin reuptake inhibition. No negative interaction is documented in the sources reviewed for this page.

What does the evidence say about rhodiola for depression?

Mao et al. 2015's 12-week, three-arm RCT compared rhodiola (340 mg/day) with sertraline (50 mg/day) and placebo in adults with mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. Sertraline produced larger absolute reductions in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores than rhodiola, but rhodiola produced significantly fewer adverse events. The trial is described as the cleanest head-to-head comparison available and is discussed in the literature as supporting rhodiola's use as an adjunct or alternative in mild depression where SSRI side effects are a concern, rather than as a substitute for established treatment in moderate-to-severe depression.

Is rhodiola a stimulant?

It is described in the literature as mildly stimulating for many users but operating through a different mechanism than caffeine (adenosine blockade) or amphetamines (catecholamine release). The proposed mechanism instead modulates the existing stress response via HPA-axis effects, MAO inhibition, and opioid receptor activation. At higher doses (400+ mg) or in stimulant-sensitive users, jitteriness, irritability, and insomnia are reported side effects.

What drug interactions are reported for rhodiola?

Several are discussed in the literature: SSRIs and other antidepressants (rhodiola's reported serotonin reuptake inhibition and MAO inhibition could theoretically produce additive serotonergic effects, with clinician coordination as standard guidance); blood pressure medications (rhodiola may modestly affect BP, monitored during titration); diabetes medications (a mild glucose-lowering effect is reported, relevant for insulin or sulfonylurea users); stimulant medications, including ADHD drugs and modafinil (additive stimulation is a consideration); and anticoagulants (a modest antiplatelet effect is reported, relevant for coordination in chronic anticoagulant users). Pregnancy safety is not well-characterized in the literature reviewed.

References

  1. Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV. 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. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10839209/
  2. 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;75(2):105-112. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19016404/
  3. Mao JJ, Xie SX, Zee J, Soeller I, Li QS, Rockwell K, Amsterdam JD. Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2015;22(3):394-399. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25837277/
  4. Hung SK, Perry R, Ernst E. The effectiveness and efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L.: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials. Phytomedicine. 2011;18(4):235-244. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21036578/
  5. Anghelescu IG, Edwards D, Seifritz E, Kasper S. Stress management and the role of Rhodiola rosea: a review. Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2018;22(4):242-252. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29325481/
  6. Darbinyan V, Aslanyan G, Amroyan E, Gabrielyan E, Malmström C, Panossian A. Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea L. extract SHR-5 in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Nord J Psychiatry. 2007;61(5):343-348. Erratum: Nord J Psychiatry 2007;61(6):503 (no PMID). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17990195/

Published Studies

Plain-English summaries of the peer-reviewed studies behind the claims above. Click any title to read the source paper.

Phytomedicine · 2000Paywalled
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 →

Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV

A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of SHR-5 standardized Rhodiola extract (170 mg twice daily) in medical students during an examination period, over a repeated low-dose regimen. Reports significant improvements in physical fitness, mental fatigue, and neuro-motor function versus placebo, with no serious adverse events.

Planta Medica · 2009Open Access
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 →

Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG

A 28-day randomized placebo-controlled trial of SHR-5 extract (576 mg/day) in 60 adults with stress-related fatigue. Reports significant improvements in Pines' burnout scale scores and attention, and a significant reduction in cortisol response to morning awakening stress, versus placebo.

Phytomedicine · 2015Open Access
Rhodiola rosea Versus Sertraline for Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial →

Mao JJ, Xie SX, Zee J, Soeller I, Li QS, Rockwell K, Amsterdam JD

A 12-week, three-arm RCT comparing Rhodiola rosea (340 mg/day), sertraline (50 mg/day), and placebo in 57 adults with mild-to-moderate major depressive disorder. Reports sertraline produced larger reductions in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale scores than rhodiola, but rhodiola produced significantly fewer adverse events.

Phytomedicine · 2011Paywalled
The Effectiveness and Efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L.: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials →

Hung SK, Perry R, Ernst E

A systematic review of 11 RCTs of Rhodiola rosea covering physical performance, mental performance, mood, and stress-related conditions. Reports most trials documented significant benefits with limited adverse effects, while noting methodological variability across trials.

International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice · 2018Open Access
Stress Management and the Role of Rhodiola rosea: A Review →

Anghelescu IG, Edwards D, Seifritz E, Kasper S

A clinical review of Rhodiola rosea evidence for stress management and burnout, covering mechanism (HPA-axis modulation, monoamine effects, opioid receptor activation), clinical trial evidence, and dosing patterns reported across the literature.

AdaptogenAnti-FatigueStress ResilienceRosavinsSHR-5HPA Axis

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