Rhodiola Rosea for Depression
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.
Rhodiola Rosea for Depression
1 of 5 results reported a benefit, from 2 published studies.
2 studies, including a review of trials · the chart counts everything measured
- 1 reported a benefit
- 3 no clear benefit
- 1 unclear
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
- Depression symptomsNo clear difference5.1 lower, unit not reported compared with the start of the study1 randomised trial, compared with the start of the study0 of 2 results reported a benefit2015 study ↗
- Treatment response rateNo clear difference39% higher odds1 randomised trial2015 study ↗
- Overall antidepressant effectReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedControlled clinical trials found preliminary positive evidence of antidepressant effects for Rhodiola rosea compared with control.1 review of trials2011 study ↗
- Clinician-rated overall changeNo clear benefit foundsee exact figuresClinical Global Impression scores did not differ significantly between Rhodiola rosea and placebo groups.1 randomised trial2015 study ↗
Side effects: measured in 1 result. 1 result reported more side effects than the comparison group.
These are the figures the studies reported, not a prediction for any one person. Where several studies measured the same thing in the same unit, we show a simple average and say so. Every result is listed below.
See every resultThe connection
Major depression, persistent low mood and related conditions.
Also known as: Golden Root, Arctic Root
Rhodiola Rosea × Depression: at a glance
Every published result for this pair, extracted and audited.
These charts count reported findings from published studies, grouped by reported benefit and study design. Study design is not a certainty grade.
Rhodiola Rosea / Depression: reported findings; one study may contribute several findings.
What the evidence shows
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Benefit | 1 |
| Harm / risk | 1 |
| No benefit | 3 |
| Unclear | 1 |
Study designs behind these findings
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Systematic review | 1 |
| Randomised trial | 5 |
- Studies
- 2
| Study | Outcome | Reported result | Uncertainty (as reported) | Study duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. (PMID 21601431) | Antidepressant effect | Not reported | Not reported | Not reported |
| Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. (PMID 25837277) | Adverse events | 30.0% | p = 0.012 | 12 weeks |
| Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. (PMID 25837277) | BDI depression score | Not reported | p = 0.28 | 12 weeks |
| Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. (PMID 25837277) | Clinical Global Impression Change (CGI/C) | Not reported | p = 0.17 | 12 weeks |
| Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. (PMID 25837277) | HAM-D depression score | -5.1 | 95% CI -8.8 to -1.3; p = 0.79 | 12 weeks |
| Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. (PMID 25837277) | Odds of improving | 1.39 | 95% CI 0.38-5.04 | 12 weeks |
Study results, as reported by the publications
Every measured outcome, one row per finding - numbers exactly as reported. Units are preserved where supplied; missing units are not inferred.
| Study and type | Reported sample and duration | Outcome measured | Reported result | What studies found |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PMID 21601431 2011 Systematic review | Sample (as reported): Not reportedDuration: Not reported | Antidepressant effect | Not reported | Benefit |
| PMID 25837277 2015 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 57Duration: 12 weeks | Adverse events | 30.0% (p = 0.012) | Harm / risk |
| PMID 25837277 2015 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 57Duration: 12 weeks | BDI depression score | Not reported (p = 0.28) | No benefit |
| PMID 25837277 2015 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 57Duration: 12 weeks | Clinical Global Impression Change (CGI/C) | Not reported (p = 0.17) | No benefit |
| PMID 25837277 2015 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 57Duration: 12 weeks | HAM-D depression score | -5.1 (95% CI -8.8 to -1.3; p = 0.79) | No benefit |
| PMID 25837277 2015 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 57Duration: 12 weeks | Odds of improving | 1.39 (95% CI 0.38-5.04) | Unclear |
Rhodiola Rosea × Depression: the evidence base
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsShafiee A, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2025PMID 38913392 ↗02Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisUrata M, et al. · Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2025PMID 40014460 ↗03Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysisCheng YC, et al. · Psychological medicine · 2025PMID 40314175 ↗04Transcriptome-based meta-analysis of drought stress regulatory genes in tomatoMurtaza M, et al. · BMC plant biology · 2025PMID 41068586 ↗05New horizons for the study of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its active ingredients in the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of clinical evidence and mechanismsHan S, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2024PMID 38424688 ↗06Nutraceuticals in Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic ReviewBozzatello P, et al. · International journal of molecular sciences · 2024PMID 38732043 ↗Community experiences
Contributors volunteered; this does not establish treatment effectiveness or population incidence.
Reported changes
No publishable community breakdown is available. This does not establish that no reports exist.