Evigrade
DrugsCosmetic ingredientsCalculatorsInteractionsEvigrade SkinEvigrade Meds ↗
ConditionsJournalMethodologyPro for practitioners
ESRU

Rhodiola rosea (golden root)

Plant adaptogen, supplement. In EU – traditional herbal medicinal product per EMA HMPC monograph

ATC code: A11JA-RHODIOLA

Brand names – supplements: Now Rhodiola, Solgar Rhodiola Rosea, Gaia Herbs Rhodiola Rosea, Nature's Way RhodiolaSupplements are not tested in clinical trials and are not registered as medications.

Updated · Methodology

Marketing claims without evidence base

The drug is promoted for these uses outside international guidelines. Each entry below is analyzed against AEMPS, FDA, EMA, Cochrane and major RCTs.

D

Athletic endurance

Not recommended

Rhodiola is sold as a «natural preworkout» promising improved endurance and reduced training fatigue. Small RCTs in 20–30 subjects showed heterogeneous results: some demonstrated moderate VO2max and time-to-exhaustion improvements on cycle ergometry, others no effect. 2010 approved no physical performance claim for rhodiola. In IRONMAN/UCI Pro endurance athletes, it is not on the IOC consensus statement 2018 list of sports supplements (only creatine, caffeine, beta-alanine, bicarbonate, nitrates are approved). If rhodiola was recommended as a substitute for a supervised training plan, consider seeking a second opinion from a sports physician.

Sources

  1. Curr Clin Pharmacol: Adaptogens: a review of their history, biological activity and clinical benefits (2010)
D

Chronic fatigue

Not recommended

Rhodiola is sold as a «natural energiser» for office workers with burnout and patients with chronic fatigue. Several small RCTs in 50–100 subjects showed moderate reductions in fatigue scores at 200–600 mg/day of standardised SHR-5 extract. No Cochrane systematic review on rhodiola in chronic fatigue syndrome. HMPC 2012 recognises «traditional use for symptoms of weakness» without requiring evidence. ME/CFS 2021 (NG206) recommends pacing and multidisciplinary follow-up; rhodiola is not in guidelines. If rhodiola was recommended for persistent fatigue without workup (ferritin, TSH, , depression and sleep apnoea screening), consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. Curr Clin Pharmacol: Adaptogens: a review of their history, biological activity and clinical benefits (2010)

ICD-10: R53 · ICD-11: MG22

D

Mild-to-moderate depression

Not recommended

Rhodiola is sold as a «natural antidepressant» promising a «safe SSRI alternative». Small RCTs in mild-to-moderate depression (Darbinyan 2007, Mao 2015) showed heterogeneous results with small samples. 2022 and SEP 2014 list CBT and SSRIs first-line for mild-to-moderate depression; rhodiola is not included. If rhodiola was recommended for depression instead of a psychiatric consultation, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. NICE: Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222) (2022)
  2. SEP: Guía clínica para el tratamiento de la depresión (2014)

ICD-10: F32.0 · ICD-11: 6A70.0

D

Stress and anxiety

Not recommended

Rhodiola rosea is widely sold as a «natural anti-stress» and «adaptogen for emotional burnout». Several small RCTs showed moderate reductions in stress scores in students before exams and workers with burnout. HMPC 2012 recognised rhodiola as a traditional herbal medicinal product «for relief of stress symptoms», but this designation does not require efficacy evidence – only 30 years of traditional use. 2010 approved no health claim for rhodiola. 2022 and SEP 2014 list SSRIs and CBT for anxiety disorders; rhodiola is not mentioned. If rhodiola was recommended for GAD, panic attacks or clinically significant anxiety instead of psychotherapy and an antidepressant, consider seeking a second opinion.

Sources

  1. Phytother Res: The effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on anxiety, stress, cognition: pilot study (2015)
  2. NICE: Depression in adults: treatment and management (NG222) (2022)

ICD-10: F41.9 · ICD-11: 6B0Z

How to read tiers A–F
  • AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
  • BRecommended in selected cases
  • CStudy data contradict each other
  • DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
  • FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit

Mechanism of action

Rhodiola rosea contains phenolic glycosides (salidroside, rosavin, rosin, rosarin) and flavonoids. In animal models it shows adaptogen effects: modulates the HPA axis, affects serotonergic, dopaminergic and noradrenergic systems and increases ATP synthesis in skeletal muscle mitochondria. The human mechanism is not confirmed in RCT design with hard endpoints. HMPC 2012 recognised rhodiola as a traditional herbal medicinal product for symptoms of stress and weakness on condition of at least 30-year traditional use; the recommendation rests on tradition, not clinical evidence.

Safety

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy and lactation
  • Children and adolescents under 18
  • Bipolar disorder (theoretical hypomania risk)
  • SSRIs/SNRIs and MAO-I therapy (theoretical additive serotonergic risk)

Serious adverse effects

  • Allergic reactions (rare)
  • Hypomania induction in bipolar patients
  • Masking of depression and anxiety disorder symptoms with delayed psychiatric referral

Common adverse effects

  • Dry mouth
  • Insomnia (with afternoon intake)
  • Irritability
  • Headache

Pregnancy: can you take Rhodiola rosea (golden root)?

No RCT data in pregnancy. EMA HMPC 2012 lists pregnancy as contraindication for the traditional herbal product. AEMPS does not register rhodiola as a medicine.

Breastfeeding: can you take Rhodiola rosea (golden root)?

No data on milk transfer. EMA HMPC 2012 lists lactation as contraindication. Lactating women should avoid.

Calculate RID

Reference information, not a clinical decision. Discuss feeding pauses or changes with your physician or an IBCLC.

Check interaction with another drug

Opens the checker prefilled with this drug. Pick the second one from your regimen.

Open checker

Summary of a multi-drug list →

Medicine list: everything you take in one place →

Frequently asked

What is Rhodiola rosea (golden root) used for?

Rhodiola rosea (golden root) is evaluated for the following indications with varying evidence strength: Stress and anxiety (evidence tier D), Athletic endurance (evidence tier D), Mild-to-moderate depression (evidence tier D). See the full indication matrix with dosing and citations above on this page.

What are the side effects of Rhodiola rosea (golden root)?

Common side effects of Rhodiola rosea (golden root) (≥ 1 in 100): Dry mouth, Insomnia (with afternoon intake), Irritability, Headache. See the Safety section for uncommon and serious reactions.

Is Rhodiola rosea (golden root) safe during pregnancy?

No RCT data in pregnancy. EMA HMPC 2012 lists pregnancy as contraindication for the traditional herbal product. AEMPS does not register rhodiola as a medicine.

Is Rhodiola rosea (golden root) compatible with breastfeeding?

No data on milk transfer. EMA HMPC 2012 lists lactation as contraindication. Lactating women should avoid.

Who should not take Rhodiola rosea (golden root)?

Rhodiola rosea (golden root) is contraindicated in: Pregnancy and lactation; Children and adolescents under 18; Bipolar disorder (theoretical hypomania risk); SSRIs/SNRIs and MAO-I therapy (theoretical additive serotonergic risk). Full list in the Safety section.

Other drugs in this group

Riboflavin, Royal jelly, Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), Schisandra chinensis (magnolia berry), Urolithin A (ellagitannin metabolite, mitophagy activator), L-threonine + pyridoxine (Biotredin), Fisetin (flavonol from strawberries, mangoes and onions), Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)