Rhodiola Rosea for Fatigue
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 Fatigue
4 of 7 results reported a benefit, from 3 published studies.
3 randomised trials, 60 people · the chart counts everything measured
- 4 reported a benefit
- 1 no clear benefit
- 2 possible harm
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
- Fatigue symptoms1.9higher, unit not reported on the VAS-F scale1 randomised trial2014 study ↗
- Energy and vitality17.3lower, unit not reported on the RAND-36 scale1 randomised trial2014 study ↗
- Burnout symptomsReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedRhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly improved burnout symptoms compared with placebo over 28 days in fatigue syndrome patients (n=60).1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
- Mental performance when tiredReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedRRE significantly improved mental performance test scores compared with placebo during two-week treatment periods.1 randomised trial2000 study ↗
Also measured in these studies (2)
These were measured alongside, but they are not what this condition is about.
- Attention test scoresReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedRhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly improved attention test indices compared with placebo over 28 days (n=60).1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
- Mental health and depressionNo clear benefit foundmeasurement not reportedMental health (SF-36) and depression (MADRS) scores improved similarly in both Rhodiola and placebo groups, a placebo effect (n=60).1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
1 laboratory marker also measured
- Morning cortisol (stress hormone) response · lab markerReported a benefitmeasurement not reportedRhodiola rosea (SHR-5) significantly decreased cortisol response to awakening stress compared with the placebo (control) group over 28 days (n=60).1 randomised trial2009 study ↗
Side effects: measured in 1 result. No 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
Chronic tiredness, low energy, and exhaustion not explained by other medical conditions.
Also known as: Golden Root, Arctic Root
Rhodiola Rosea × Fatigue: 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 / Fatigue: 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) |
|---|---|
| No benefit | 2 |
| Harm / risk | 2 |
| Benefit | 4 |
Study designs behind these findings
What this means: Counts describe research quantity, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
| Category | Findings (count) |
|---|---|
| Randomised trial | 8 |
- Studies
- 3
| Study | Outcome | Reported result | Uncertainty (as reported) | Study duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhodiola rosea for mental and physical fatigue in nursing students: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 25268730) | Adverse events | Not reported | Not reported | day 42 |
| Rhodiola rosea for mental and physical fatigue in nursing students: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 25268730) | Fatigue (VAS-F) at day 42 | 1.9 | 95% CI 0.4, 3.5; p = 0.015 | day 42 |
| Rhodiola rosea for mental and physical fatigue in nursing students: a randomized controlled trial. (PMID 25268730) | Vitality subscale (RAND-36) at day 42 | -17.3 | 95% CI -30.6, -3.9; p = 0.011 | day 42 |
| 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. (PMID 19016404) | attention (CCPT II indices: omissions, Hit RT SE, variability) | Not reported | Not reported | 28 days |
| 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. (PMID 19016404) | burnout symptoms (Pines' burnout scale) | Not reported | Not reported | 28 days |
| 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. (PMID 19016404) | cortisol response to awakening stress | Not reported | Not reported | 28 days |
| 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. (PMID 19016404) | mental health (SF-36) and depression (MADRS) | Not reported | Not reported | 28 days |
| Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. (PMID 11081987) | Mental performance / Fatigue Index tests after night duty | Not reported | Not reported | two 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 25268730 2014 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: day 42 | Adverse events | Not reported | No benefit |
| PMID 25268730 2014 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: day 42 | Fatigue (VAS-F) at day 42 | 1.9 (95% CI 0.4, 3.5; p = 0.015) | Harm / risk |
| PMID 25268730 2014 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 48Duration: day 42 | Vitality subscale (RAND-36) at day 42 | -17.3 (95% CI -30.6, -3.9; p = 0.011) | Harm / risk |
| PMID 19016404 2009 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 60Duration: 28 days | attention (CCPT II indices: omissions, Hit RT SE, variability) | Not reported | Benefit |
| PMID 19016404 2009 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 60Duration: 28 days | burnout symptoms (Pines' burnout scale) | Not reported | Benefit |
| PMID 19016404 2009 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 60Duration: 28 days | cortisol response to awakening stress | Not reported | Benefit |
| PMID 19016404 2009 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 60Duration: 28 days | mental health (SF-36) and depression (MADRS) | Not reported | No benefit |
| PMID 11081987 2000 Randomised trial | Sample (as reported): 56Duration: two weeks | Mental performance / Fatigue Index tests after night duty | Not reported | Benefit |
Rhodiola Rosea × Fatigue: the evidence base
Hand-selected PubMed studies, linked to the originals.
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Differences in Ferritin, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B12 Between Fibromyalgia Patients and Healthy Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisIsmail O, et al. · Musculoskeletal care · 2025PMID 39832803 ↗02Dietary Supplementation for Fatigue Symptoms in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)-A Systematic ReviewDorczok MC, et al. · Nutrients · 2025PMID 39940333 ↗03Efficacy of Pharmacological Interventions in Milder Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisUrata M, et al. · Neuropsychopharmacology reports · 2025PMID 40014460 ↗04Role of vitamin D as adjuvant therapy on multiple sclerosis: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsSerag I, et al. · European journal of medical research · 2025PMID 40797337 ↗05Psychiatric and cognitive outcomes of iron supplementation in non-anemic children, adolescents, and menstruating adults: A meta-analysis and systematic reviewFiani D, et al. · Neuroscience and biobehavioral reviews · 2025PMID 40945632 ↗06Transcriptome-based meta-analysis of drought stress regulatory genes in tomatoMurtaza M, et al. · BMC plant biology · 2025PMID 41068586 ↗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.