The Best Rhodiola Rosea Supplements On The Market Today

Best Rhodiola Rosea Supplements At A Glance

Rhodiola rosea is a natural herbal supplement that helps reduce stress and anxiety. People may use it if they’re working long hours at a high-stress job, are a student up against constant deadlines, or just looking for a way to manage anxiety. There are plenty of Rhodiola rosea brands on Amazon, but you should err on the side of caution if a company promises improvements on athletic performance, mental or physical fatigue, or depression when taking this supplement. More research needs to be done to back up these health claims.

This article will review common health claims surrounding Rhodiola rosea and compare them to the research. Then we’ll help you find a Rhodiola rosea supplement that works best for you. As always, speak with your healthcare provider before taking this supplement to make sure it won’t interfere with medications you’re currently taking, especially antidepressants. 

What Is Rhodiola Rosea?

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that helps the body adapt to stress. It’s a flowering plant that’s native to Eastern Europe, Asia, and other high-altitude regions. Rhodiola rosea also goes by “golden root,” “rose root,” or “king’s crown” and has been used in traditional medicine throughout Russia and Scandinavia for centuries. According to the NIH, it was historically used for fatigue, anemia, impotence, headaches, infections, and depression. More recently, Rhodiola rosea has gained attention for its therapeutic effects as an adaptogen. 

There isn’t a substantial amount of scientific evidence to back up health claims related to Rhodiola rosea’s use for athletic performance, and mental and physical fatigue. Yet studies show that it may moderately help with depression and reduce stress-induced fatigue and improve cognition. As with any supplement, it’s important to do a deep dive into the research to learn how it can specifically help you. 

What Is Rhodiola Rosea Used For? Diving Into The Research Behind Rhodiola Rosea

What are Rhodiola rosea benefits? Rhodiola rosea has therapeutic potential, but more research needs to be conducted to back up some of the health claims being made about it. Some brands overhype the supplement’s effect on eliminating fatigue and improving physical performance — but studies fail to provide consistent evidence of these benefits.

Let’s take a look at the research behind Rhodiola rosea. 

Rhodiola Rosea For Exercise, Athletic Performance

Studies surrounding Rhodiola rosea for athletic performance are extremely limiting, with weak results. 

A 2007 study challenged health claims implying that rhodiola supplements enhance physical performance by improving adenosine triphosphate (ATP) turnover. Twelve resistance-trained men took 1,500 mg a day for three days before an exercise test against a placebo group. Results showed no significant differences between groups for measures of ATP kinetics and exhaustion. 

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study tested Rhodiola rosea extract and its impact on athletic performance. After one dose of Rhodiola rosea, participants showed a slight increase in time to exhaustion. They did not show increased signs of strength or reaction time when compared to the placebo. When participants took the supplement for four weeks — the results showed no improvement to physical performance measures. 

Rhodiola Rosea For Fatigue

There are mixed results from studies that test Rhodiola rosea for physical performance and mental fatigue — most trials conclude that it “holds promise” for enhanced physical and mental performance without consistent evidence. Flaws in clinical trials limit accurate assessment of efficacy. 

• A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial tested a low dose of rhodiola rosea on 40 male international students during their exams. The trial separated the students into two groups to examine the supplement’s effect on their mental and physical well being against a placebo. Participants showed improvements in mental fatigue, physical fitness, and general well being. The researchers did not report adverse events or drop-outs. 

• A 2008 double-blind, randomized, controlled trial assessed the efficacy of rhodiola rosea extract on stress-related fatigue. Sixty participants were randomized to receive 576 mg of rhodiola rosea or placebo per day for 28 days. The study showed improvement in fatigue as measured by the Pines’ burnout scale. While that sounds promising, this study includes incomplete data and reported protocol deviations, such as skipping a day of taking the supplement during the study.

• A study in 2009 tested rhodiola rosea on endurance exercise performance, mood, and cognitive function of 15 active college women. The participants took an acute dose of either rhodiola or a placebo in a double-blind, random crossover one hour before testing. It found that those who took 3 mg/kg (about 150-200 mg for a physically active woman) of rhodiola before the test ran raster and recorded a lower heart rate.

Rhodiola Rosea For Anxiety 

Studies on Rhodiola rosea for anxiety are preliminary and should not be considered conclusive. A 2015 study tested Rhodiola rosea extract on anxiety, stress, cognition, and mood on 80 mildly anxious participants. The group demonstrated reduced anxiety, stress, confusion, depression, and anger after 14 days. But there was one big caveat: the study was self-reported and did not include a placebo. The researchers could not conclude a causal relationship between rhodiola and its impact on anxiety.

Another preliminary study tested Rhodiola rosea on ten people to find that it significantly reduced anxiety after seven months. These findings warrant further research of the supplement for anxiety as this study did not include a placebo, control group, or blinding. 

Rhodiola Rosea For Depression

A 2007 study published in Nord J Psychiatry found evidence that Rhodiola rosea may reduce symptoms of depression. A six week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 89 participants who were selected based on their answers to Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) questionnaires. Those who scored between 21 and 31 were randomized into three groups. Groups A and B were given different doses of Rhodiola rosea extract and showed improvements with depression, insomnia, and emotional stability. Group C took a placebo and did not show the same improvements. 

Another study published in Phytomedicine tested 57 people who took Rhodiola rosea for 12 weeks. The study found that Rhodiola rosea mildly reduced symptoms of depression. The natural supplement tested against sertraline (an antidepressant prescription drug similar to Zoloft). The study concluded that Rhodiola rosea was less effective than its non-herbal counterpart, but it found that rhodiola has fewer side effects. The authors suggest that it may be a good option for those with mild symptoms of depression.

Does Rhodiola Rosea Really Work?

According to the research referenced above, it appears that Rhodiola rosea has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression in general and can also assist with insomnia and emotional stability. However, results are mixed for rhodiola’s use in treating anxiety, fatigue, and athletic performance.

Thus, Rhodiola rosea is generally recommended to take to manage depression and its side effects as supported by studies. However, other use cases vary in respect to efficacy, and individuals who are considering taking rhodiola for other conditions than depression may want to look at other supplement options.

How Much Rhodiola Rosea Should You Take?

The dose for Rhodiola rosea varies depending on the product and brand. The daily dose ranges from 170 mg to 680 mg, with 300 mg being a good middle ground. A single dose generally shouldn’t exceed 500 mg, although in practice dosages can vary depending on how much of the active ingredients a given supplement contains. 

One dose should contain 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside (more on that below) so that you’re getting the most out of the active ingredients. You can take it in two doses, but it’s best to avoid taking the supplement before bed as it has a stimulant effect, similar to a single cup of caffeinated tea. 

Are There Side Effects Of Rhodiola Rosea?

Most studies report little to no side effects when taking Rhodiola rosea, but a relative few people will experience dizziness, headache, nausea, or dry mouth. 

Consult your doctor before taking Rhodiola rosea if you:

• Take anti-depression or anti-anxiety medications
• Have low blood pressure
• Take low blood pressure medication
• Have hypoglycemia or diabetes 

Rhodiola is not a treatment for clinical anxiety and depression, rather a therapeutic alternative to help regulate stress. Severe mental health conditions should be cared for by a doctor. 

How Long Does It Take For Rhodiola Rosea To Work?

Generally, Rhodiola rosea’s calming effects can be felt within 30 minutes of taking it due to acting upon the sympathoadrenal-system (SAS). However, substantial long-term differences in mental health improvement are usually not experienced until an individual has used rhodiola for several weeks.

What To Look For To Find The Best Rhodiola Rosea Supplement

Rhodiola rosea supplements can come in capsule, softgel, liquid extract, and powder form. Personal preference dictates how you want to take it, but powder form is generally a higher concentration with quicker absorption, and possibly easier on the stomach. The powder form may have a strong, bitter taste, which can be hidden when mixing into a chocolate protein shake or a fruit smoothie. 

Zoom over to the supplement facts of the rhodiola supplement, and you should find two important compounds called “rosavin” and “salidroside.” Rosavin is found in the root of the plant and distinguishes Rhodiola rosea from other rhodiola species. Rosavin is an active compound that helps reduce stress. 

Salidroside is also found in the root of the plant. It’s studied for rhodiola rosea’s antidepressant effects, in particular, eliminating stress-induced eating disorders. Salidroside is common to most other Rhodiola species.

Rhodiola rosea also acts as a stimulant with rosavin and salidroside acting as active ingredients. Research suggests that there is a synergistic effect between salidroside and rosavin in Rhodiola rosea — the compounds are more effective together than alone. While you’re reading the supplement facts, look for a root extract containing at least 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside. These compounds are key to Rhodiola rosea’s therapeutic impact on the body by supporting stress and interacting with brain chemicals to improve cognition. If the rhodiola product doesn’t contain both of those compounds, put it back on the shelf. 

For reference, a 2016 study in the United Kingdom found that 20% of products that claimed to be Rhodiola rosea did not contain rosavin. They were mostly fake. This problem is likely to be even more prevalent in the United States where supplements are only lightly regulated. Only purchase rhodiola products that specifically advertise rosavin and salidroside content and look for companies that show test results from independent labs. 

What Is The Best Brand Of Rhodiola Rosea?

The label on some of these brands may overhype rhodiola’s ability to reduce mental and physical stress. This supplement works differently for everybody. Its primary use as an adaptogen is to support the body’s reaction to stress, anxiety, and depression. 

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You can read more about combining both supplements in our article Taking Rhodiola and Ashwagandha Together: Our Picks For The Best Ashwagandha Combined With Rhodiola Supplements.