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Also known as Golden Root, Arctic Root
Adaptogenic root native to arctic Scandinavia and Siberia; its rosavins and salidroside are thought to modulate cortisol and monoamine activity, with trials showing reduced fatigue and improved stress resilience.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Number of audited published findings for Rhodiola Rosea by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Adaptogen with small European trials on fatigue and stress; standardised extracts (SHR-5) dominate a thin evidence base.
Safety notes: Mild activation/insomnia possible; avoid with other stimulants. Data in pregnancy absent.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antidepressant effect | Controlled clinical trials found preliminary positive evidence of antidepressant effects for Rhodiola rosea compared with control.Benefit seen | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2011 | PMID 21601431 |
| Adverse events | Adverse events occurred in 30.0% of Rhodiola rosea patients versus 16.7% with placebo (group p=0.012). (p = 0.012)Unclear | 30.0% | 57 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 25837277 |
| BDI depression score | BDI depression scores did not differ significantly between Rhodiola rosea and placebo groups (p=0.28). |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
| no number reported |
| 57 |
| 12 weeks |
| RCT · 2015 |
| PMID 25837277 |
| Clinical Global Impression Change (CGI/C) | Clinical Global Impression scores did not differ significantly between Rhodiola rosea and placebo groups (p=0.17). (p = 0.17)No clear benefit | no number reported | 57 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 25837277 |
| HAM-D depression score | Rhodiola rosea reduced HAM-D scores by -5.1 versus -4.6 with placebo, not statistically significant (p=0.79). (95% CI -8.8 to -1.3; p = 0.79)No clear benefit | -5.1 | 57 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 25837277 |
| Odds of improving | Odds of improving with Rhodiola rosea were 1.39 versus placebo, a non-significant and uncertain effect. (95% CI 0.38-5.04)Unclear | 1.39 | 57 | 12 weeks | RCT · 2015 | PMID 25837277 |
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adverse events | Total adverse events did not differ significantly between Rhodiola rosea and placebo groups by day 42.No clear benefit | no number reported | 48 | day 42 | RCT · 2014 | PMID 25268730 |
| Fatigue (VAS-F) at day 42 | Rhodiola rosea worsened VAS-F fatigue scores by 1.9 versus placebo at day 42 (p=0.015). (95% CI 0.4, 3.5; p = 0.015)Unclear | 1.9 | 48 | day 42 | RCT · 2014 | PMID 25268730 |
| Vitality subscale (RAND-36) at day 42 | Rhodiola rosea worsened vitality scores by -17.3 versus placebo at day 42 (p=0.011). (95% CI -30.6, -3.9; p = 0.011)Unclear | -17.3 | 48 | day 42 | RCT · 2014 | PMID 25268730 |
| attention (CCPT II indices: omissions, Hit RT SE, variability) | Rhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly improved attention test indices compared with placebo over 28 days (n=60).Benefit seen | no number reported | 60 | 28 days | RCT · 2009 | PMID 19016404 |
| burnout symptoms (Pines' burnout scale) | Rhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly improved burnout symptoms compared with placebo over 28 days in fatigue syndrome patients (n=60).Benefit seen | no number reported | 60 | 28 days | RCT · 2009 | PMID 19016404 |
| cortisol response to awakening stress | Rhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly decreased cortisol response to awakening stress compared with the placebo (control) group over 28 days (n=60).Benefit seen | no number reported | 60 | 28 days | RCT · 2009 | PMID 19016404 |
| mental health (SF-36) and depression (MADRS) | Mental health (SF-36) and depression (MADRS) scores improved similarly in both Rhodiola and placebo groups, a placebo effect (n=60).No clear benefit | no number reported | 60 | 28 days | RCT · 2009 | PMID 19016404 |
| Mental performance / Fatigue Index tests after night duty | RRE significantly improved mental performance test scores compared with placebo during two-week treatment periods.Benefit seen | no number reported | 56 | two weeks | RCT · 2000 | PMID 11081987 |