Rho8.5

Rhodiola Rosea Research

41 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 8.5/10

Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Urata M et al. • Neuropsychopharmacology reports (2025)

This review demonstrates that certain supplements, such as eicosapentaenoic acids and Rhodiola rosea, are therapeutic options for mild depression.

A meta-analysis found no significant difference in response rates between the two treatments (risk ratio [RR] = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.78-1.18) or dropout rates (RR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.62-1.88).
Eicosapentaenoic acid and Rhodiola rosea demonstrated significant improvements in depressive symptoms compared to placebo.
Conversely, S-adenosylmethionine did not produce significant improvements relative to placebo.

Meta-Analysisn=1,049

DOI

Rhodiola rosea supplementation on sports performance: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Sanz-Barrio PM et al. • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)

However, more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of RR.

Acute supplementation with RR has a positive effect on endurance performance and rating of perceived exertion (RPE).
Chronic supplementation may positively impact muscle damage during exercise.
However, more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of RR.

Systematic Reviewn=263

DOI

Rhodiola rosea for mental and physical fatigue

Ishaque S et al. • BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2012)

Rhodiola rosea may be effective for physical and mental fatigue, with evidence supporting its use as an adaptogen.

Reduces mental fatigue
Improves physical performance
Benefits stress-related symptoms

Systematic Reviewn=500

DOI

Modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by plants and phytonutrients: a systematic review of human trials

Lopresti AL et al. • Nutritional neuroscience (2022)

For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.

For most phytonutrients, the effects of supplementation on HPA-axis activity in humans is unclear.
Before more definitive conclusions about the effects of phytonutrients on the HPA-axis can be made, further research is required.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

Systematic Review

DOI

Plant Adaptogens-History and Future Perspectives

Todorova V et al. • Nutrients (2021)

In the future, there is great potential to register medicinal products that contain plant adaptogens for therapeutic purposes.

About 50 years ago, plant adaptogens were first used in professional sports due to their high potential to increase the body's resistance to stress and to improve physical endurance.
Although now many people take plant adaptogens, the clinical trials on human are limited.
The data from the meta-analysis showed that plant adaptogens could provide a number of benefits in the treatment of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune protection.

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Dietary Supplement Ingredients for Optimizing Cognitive Performance Among Healthy Adults: A Systematic Review

Crawford C et al. • Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) (2021)

Potential solutions to address research gaps are offered, for future research next steps, which is needed to strengthen the evidence and inform decisions.

Ingredients evaluated included Bacopa monnieri, choline, creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, Ginkgo biloba, ginseng, Rhodiola rosea, tyrosine, and valerian root, all in supplement form and compared with a placebo, at various serving sizes and durations of use.
Whereas certain trends regarding promising serving sizes or duration for use, are pointed to in this synthesis, when combined, studies are inconsistent and imprecise, and many are methodologically flawed.
Potential solutions to address research gaps are offered, for future research next steps, which is needed to strengthen the evidence and inform decisions.

Systematic Review

DOI

Effects of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on exercise and sport: A systematic review

Lu Y et al. • Frontiers in Nutrition (2022)

Rhodiola rosea supplementation improved exercise endurance, reduced perceived exertion, and enhanced recovery in athletes.

Improved endurance exercise performance and time to exhaustion
Reduced rating of perceived exertion during exercise
Enhanced recovery through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms

Systematic Review

DOI

Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Anghelescu IG et al. • Phytomedicine (2018)

Rhodiola rosea showed clinically meaningful antidepressant and anti-fatigue effects with a favorable safety profile compared to conventional antidepressants.

Significant improvements in depression rating scales vs placebo
Anti-fatigue effects observed across multiple clinical trials
Fewer adverse effects compared to sertraline in head-to-head comparison

Meta-Analysis

DOI

Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence

Sarris J et al. • European neuropsychopharmacology : the journal of the European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (2011)

Analysis of evidence levels was conducted, as were effect sizes (Cohen's d) where data were available.

Analysis of evidence levels was conducted, as were effect sizes (Cohen's d) where data were available.
Several human clinical trials provide preliminary positive evidence of antidepressant effects (Echium amoenum, Crocus sativus, and Rhodiola rosea) and anxiolytic activity (Matricaria recutita, Ginkgo biloba, Passiflora incanata, E. amoenum, and Scutellaria lateriflora).
Caution should however be taken when interpreting the results as many studies have not been replicated.

Systematic Review

DOI

The effectiveness and efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L.: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials

Hung SK et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2011)

R. rosea may have beneficial effects on physical performance, mental performance, and certain mental health conditions.

R. rosea may have beneficial effects on physical performance, mental performance, and certain mental health conditions.
There is, however, a lack of independent replications of the single different studies.
Five of the 10 RCTs reached more than three points on the Jadad score (i.e., good quality).

Systematic Review

DOI

Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: a systematic review

Sarris J • Phytotherapy research : PTR (2007)

While depression and anxiety are commonly researched, the efficacy of herbal medicines in other mental disorders requires attention.
The review addresses current issues in herbal psychotherapy: herbal safety, future areas of application, the relationship of herbal medicine with pharmaceuticals and the potential prescriptive integration of phytomedicines with synthetic psychotropic medicines.
Particular attention is given to clinical and safety issues with St John's wort and kava.(c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Systematic Review

DOI

Dose-Response Effects of Short-Term Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root Extract) Supplementation on Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Cognitive Function in Resistance-Trained Athletes: A Randomized, Crossover, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Study

Koozehchian MS et al. • Nutrients (2025)

Conclusions: Short-term RR consumption, regardless of dose or gender, improved resistance performance and significantly enhanced Stroop outcomes, with minimal changes in anaerobic cycling and RPE, and no consistent acute hemodynamic effects.

Day-7 testing included bench press (BP) and leg press (LP) 1-repetition maximum (1RM); a third set to failure at 60% 1RM with set-3 volume; Tendo mean/peak power; a 30 s Wingate; and the Stroop Color-Word Test.
Results: Versus CON, LDRR increased BP 1RM (+5.59 kg; p = 0.003), set-3 repetitions (+4.30; p < 0.001), set-3 volume (+168.6 kg; p < 0.001), and mean power (+29.7 W; p = 0.026).
HDRR increased set-3 repetitions (+2.78; p = 0.005) and peak power (+34.2 W; p = 0.026), with a trend for set-3 volume (p = 0.086).

Crossover

DOI

Salidroside and exercise performance in healthy active young adults - an exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Schwarz NA et al. • Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition (2024)

Salidroside supplementation may enhance oxygen utilization and mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and fatigue, warranting further research on its long-term effects and potential as an adaptogen for active individuals.

Salidroside supplementation enhanced overall percent predicted oxygen uptake during high-intensity intermittent exercise (p < 0.01).
An increase in serum myoglobin was observed 24 hours following exercise in the placebo group (p = 0.02) compared with baseline whereas no statistically significant increase was observed for the salidroside group indicating reduced exercise-induced muscle damage.
Salidroside supplementation may enhance oxygen utilization and mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and fatigue, warranting further research on its long-term effects and potential as an adaptogen for active individuals.

RCTn=50

DOI

Effects of the PREMEN-CALM® in the Management of the Premenstrual Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

Herrera A et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2024)

Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.

On the contrary, the between-group analysis showed no statistical differences, suggesting a plausible placebo effect.
The phytotherapeutic supplement PREMEN-CALM® might be effective in treating or alleviating the symptoms of the premenstrual syndrome without adverse events.
Integrative medicine approaches in the clinical practice may help improve the health of women suffering from this and other gynecological conditions.

RCT

DOI

The Impact of Rhodiola Rosea Extract on Strength Performance in Alternative Bench-Press and Bench-Pull Exercises Under Resting and Mental Fatigue Conditions: A Randomized, Triple-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Trial

Marcos-Frutos D et al. • Nutrients (2025)

Conclusions: These results suggest that short-term RR supplementation is safe and provides its main ergogenic effects on physical performance rather than in visuo-cognitive or mental outcomes.

Out of 52 comparisons, 17 small effect sizes were observed, with 14 favouring RR and 3 favouring placebo, with the remaining differences being trivial.
Results: The main findings indicate that RR supplementation has trivial-to-small effects in terms of mental fatigue, visuo-cognitive processing, or perceived exertion.
However, RR was significantly superior to placebo on strength performance in the control video condition during some sets, as it increased the number of repetitions performed in the bench press and the fastest velocity in the bench pull.

Crossovern=18

DOI

Effects of the Combined Supplementation of Caffeine and Rhodiola Rosea with Resistance Training on Lower Limb Explosive Power in Male Volleyball Players

Wang Z et al. • Nutrients (2025)

This study suggests that combining RHO and CAF optimizes high-intensity performance by enhancing explosive power, reducing fatigue, and improving recovery, presenting an effective nutritional strategy for volleyball athletes.

Results showed that the combined supplementation (RHO + CAF) group exhibited significant improvement across multiple performance metrics.
This study suggests that combining RHO and CAF optimizes high-intensity performance by enhancing explosive power, reducing fatigue, and improving recovery, presenting an effective nutritional strategy for volleyball athletes.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=48

DOI

The Effect of Short-Term Rhodiola rosea Supplementation on Simulated Game Time, Perceived Fatigue, and Performance in Basketball Players

Wang J et al. • Nutrients (2025)

Conclusions: Short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation can improve sprint performance and reduce perceived fatigue in basketball players during simulated games, enhance aerobic work capacity, and delay fatigue.

A two-way mixed ANOVA (2 × 2) group (CTR/RHO) × time (Pre-test/Post-test) was conducted to compare differences.
Conclusions: Short-term Rhodiola rosea supplementation can improve sprint performance and reduce perceived fatigue in basketball players during simulated games, enhance aerobic work capacity, and delay fatigue.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=24

DOI

Can Rhodiola rosea supplementation mitigate digital eye strain? A triple-blinded placebo-controlled study

Lara PM et al. • Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) (2025)

These findings show that RR supplementation (1200 mg/day for 4 days) produced a reduction in the variability of accommodation and one of the assessed DES symptoms, suggesting that it could be considered as a potential strategy to prevent or manage DES.

These findings show that RR supplementation (1200 mg/day for 4 days) produced a reduction in the variability of accommodation and one of the assessed DES symptoms, suggesting that it could be considered as a potential strategy to prevent or manage DES.
However, further research is needed to determine its clinical relevance and optimise dosage and timing.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=18

DOI

The Acute Effects of a Multi-Ingredient Herbal Supplement on Performance Fatigability: A Double-Blind, Randomized, and Placebo-Controlled Trial

Ryan ED et al. • Journal of dietary supplements (2021)

This combination of herbal extracts likely does not acutely influence performance fatigability during high-intensity, repeated muscle actions.

Data were analyzed with a repeated measures analysis of variance and intent-to-treat approach.
For the performance variables, there was no interaction (p ≥ 0.317) or treatment effect (p ≥ 0.660), however, all torque variables decreased across sets and plateaued at sets 4-5, whereas RPE increased across sets (p < 0.001).
For the affective responses, there was no interaction (p ≥ 0.781) or treatment effect (p ≥ 0.314); however, participants felt better, had an improved mood, and felt more aroused following testing (p < 0.047).

RCTn=30

DOI

[Effects of Rhodiola rosea injection on intrapulmonary shunt and blood IL-6 and TNF-α levels during single lung ventilation in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer]

Liu X et al. • Nan fang yi ke da xue xue bao = Journal of Southern Medical University (2024)

Rhodiola rosea injection before anesthesia induction can reduce intrapulmonary shunt during single lung ventilation, improve oxygenation, reduce serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and alleviate intraoperative lung injury in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.

Rhodiola rosea injection before anesthesia induction can reduce intrapulmonary shunt during single lung ventilation, improve oxygenation, reduce serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and alleviate intraoperative lung injury in patients undergoing radical resection of esophageal cancer.
Further research warranted to confirm findings

RCTn=23

DOI

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