Not only does rhodiola rosea appear to have minimal rhodiola side effects, but some promising preliminary evidence suggest rhodiola may minimize the side effects of other potent medical therapies. Some of the most promising rhodiola benefits involve its ability to act as an antimutagenic for other necessary but dangerously potent therapies, such as chemotherapy.

However, more studies need to be conducted to verify (or possibly refute) the promise of small, early pilot studies.

Rhodiola Rosea Antioxidant and Anti-carcinogenic Effects

Among the lesser known rhodiola benefits is the fact that Rhodiola rosea is rich in phenolic compounds, known to have strong antioxidant properties.53,86

Animal studies have shown that Rhodiola rosea decreases toxicity from cyclophosphamide, rubomycin, and adriamycin (anti-cancer drugs), while it enhances their anticarcinogenic effects.87-89 Udintsev and Schakhov studied the effect of R. rosea root extract (RRRE), a tincture manufactured according to the Russian Pharmacopoeia standards (minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin), on tumor cells (transplanted into mice) and normal bone marrow cells in two mouse cancer models.90 One group of mice with Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) and another group with Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) were first treated with 100 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (a chemotherapy agent) that suppressed tumor growth to 31-39 percent and limited 3LL metastases to 18 percent, while also reducing the number of normal bone marrow cells, leucocytes, and myelokariocytes, to 40-50 percent and 20-25 percent of normal, respectively.

Promising Results of Giving Rhodiola Rosea

In comparison, RRRE, 0.5 mg/kg/day given orally 2-8 days after tumors had been transplanted, suppressed growth of both tumors by 19-27 percent and 3LL metastases 16 percent. However, in contrast to cyclophosphamide, RRRE caused no reduction in normal bone marrow cells. In animals given both RRRE and cyclophosphamide, the RRRE increased the antimetastatic effect of cyclophosphamide by 36 percent (p<0.05). RRRE also increased the number of leukocytes by 30 percent and myelokariocytes by 16-18 percent.

Rhodiola Rosea One Year Old Seedlings

In another mouse tumor model, Udintsev and colleagues showed that RRRE (minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin) increased the antitumor effect of the drug adriamycin while substantially reducing its liver toxicity.⁸⁹ Many chemotherapy agents are hematotoxic (reduce the number of normal blood cell precursors in bone marrow) or hepatotoxic (cause damage to the liver). These serious side effects were significantly ameliorated by RRRE. Thus, the research suggests that RRRE can both enhance tumor inhibition by chemotherapeutic drugs while alleviating dangerous side effects.

Is Rhodiola Rosea Antimutagenic?

Substances that reduce the incidence of chromosomal aberrations are termed antimutagenic. Salikhova and colleagues found that in mice injected with cyclophosphamide, RRRE (minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and
3 percent rosavin) had antimutagenic effects.⁹¹ Compared to placebo controls, RRRE reduced the development of chromosomal aberrations by 50 percent and reduced the incidence of cells with micronuclei by more than 50 percent. RRRE also increased indices of DNA repair in bone marrow cells after exposure to the mutagen N-nitroso-N-methylurea (NMU).⁹¹

Why We Need More Placebo-Controlled Studies of Rhodiola

In a small pilot study of 12 patients with superficial bladder carcinoma (TIG1-2), treatment with RRRE (minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin) improved parameters of leukocyte integrines and T-cell immunity.⁹² The average frequency of relapse was reduced, but did not reach statistical significance. Larger placebo-controlled studies of R. rosea extracts to augment tumor inhibition and reduce toxic effects of chemotherapy agents are needed.

Previous Section: Rhodiola Rosea Cardioprotective Effects
Next Section: Rhodiola Side Effects, Toxicity, and Contraindications
Table of Contents: Rhodiola Rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview
Credits and References

Supplemental Reading:

• Rhodiola Benefits
• Rhodiola Side Effects
• Rhodiola for Herbal Stress Relief
• Rhodiola Supplements for Muscle Development and Athletic Performance
• Rhodiola Rosea Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Standardization

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Rhodiola Benefits include well-established uses proven in clinical studies and theoretical rhodiola benefits, which several researchers feel confident exist but which haven’t yet been the subject of a specific controlled study. This guide to rhodiola rosea benefits acts as an accessible guide to Dr. Zakir Ramazanov’s pioneering research (Dr. Ramazanov founded RhodiolaRosea.org). To view his research directly, view the PDF section listed in the sidebar of this website. Keep in mind they are scientific documents.

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Rhodiola rosea research — along with research on other medicinal herbs — comprised part of the Soviet Union’s zealous campaign to contend with the United States in many areas, including the arms race, science and medicine. It is neither a myth nor an unfounded legend that the KGB utilized rhodiola to help toughen its agents in the face of stressful conditions.

Navigate my guide to Rhodiola Benefits:

• Rhodiola Rosea As An Adaptogen
• How Do Rhodiola Benefits Occur?
• Rhodiola Rosea Extract For Asthenic Conditions
• Rhodiola Rosea Improves Physical And Mental Performance
• Rhodiola Rosea Benefits for Stress Relief and Treating Depression
• Rhodiola Benefits Suggested In Cardiac and Cancer Research
• Additional Theoretical Rhodiola Rosea Benefits

Rhodiola Rosea As An Adaptogen

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Rhodiola rosea has long been recognized as a powerful adaptogen. An adaptogen is a natural herbal substance which improves our body’s resistance while also normalizing its functions, particularly under rigorous or stressful mental of physical conditions.

Because rhodiola rosea administration seems to affect primary monoamine levels, it may also furnish benefits within clinical conditions defined by an imbalance of central nervous system monoamines. Read more on how rhodiola benefits you by improving your physical work capacity and how rhodiola rosea effects the central nervous system.

How Do Rhodiola Benefits Occur?

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If you have a healthy skepticism, you probably want to know how rhodiola rosea benefits occur before you read a long list of beneficial properties.

Rhodiola rosea inhibits subtypes A and B of the enzyme monoamine oxidase. It also appears to affect opioid peptides, which are chained amino acids, such as beta-endorphin, which functions as a neurotransmitter within your peripheral and central nervous systems. Some evidences also suggests Rhodiola benefits occur because Rhodiola rosea modulates how the human body’s adrenal glands produce cortisol (the “stress hormone”) during periods of psychological or physical stress.

Rhodiola Benefits - Serotonin and Dopamine Inhibitor

How do these chemical reactions benefit us? Subtypes A and B of monoamine oxidase, which you will sometimes see as MAO-A and MAO-B, metabolize serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine or 5-HT) and dopamine (DA). By inhibiting this enzyme’s ability to metabolize these neurotransmitters (note: not stopping, but inhibiting), you keep them in your brain for longer and in higher concentrations (this is a layman way of looking at it, technically). Serotonin activity in your brain improves and stabilizes your mood. Dopamine activity in your brain makes you feel more confident, positive and motivated.

The cortisol modulation theoretically keeps this “stress hormone” from wearing you down because excessive cortisol may compromise your immune system and counteract insulin. Read on to learn more on how these functions of rhodiola rosea might benefit you.

Rhodiola Rosea Extract For Asthenic Conditions

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Thus many believe that rhodiola benefits include its use as a treatment in asthenic conditions, which develop as a result of exposure to intense physical or intellectual strain, influenza or other illness. Asthenic conditions include sleep disturbances, decline in work performance, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, fatigue and headaches.

Rhodiola Rosea Improves Physical And Mental Performance

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Rhodiola rosea studies indicate that it can reduce recovery time after extended workouts, improve attention span and memory. Clinical studies using proofreading tests demonstrated that rhodiola rosea raises memorization and concentration capability over extended periods.

For example, in one study 40 students randomly received either 50 mg standardized rhodiola rosea extract or a placebo twice-a-day for twenty days. The subjects consuming the standardized extract exhibited statistically significant improvements in physical fitness, psychomotor function, and mental performance. For the most comprehensive essay you’ll ever find on rhodiola and muscle development, read Dr. Zakir Ramazanov’s essay on Rhodiola Supplements for Muscle Development. For an overview on how rhodiola rosea benefits your endurance, read Rhodiola Rosea Effects On Physical Work Capacity.

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Rhodiola Rosea Benefits for Stress Relief and Treating Depression

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Rhodiola rosea came to prominence in the United States after a study conducted by the Swedish Herbal Institute conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate using rhodiola for depression. The results of this study made waves for strongly suggesting the use of rhodiola rosea for treating mild depression and anxiety. You can read about the details of this study in my Rhodiola For Depression essay.

How Rhodiola Rosea Benefits the Heart During Emotional and Physical Stress

Additionally, Newsweek magazine covered this herbal stress buster in 2003. You can now view that original article, reformatted and updated for the web, here: Herbal Stress Relief: Rhodiola For Stress Relief.

Rhodiola Benefits Suggested In Cardiac and Cancer Research

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Some studies also indicate that rhodiola may be effective in treating cardiac afflictions caused or provoked by stress. Its mechanism for these circumstances is its ability to lessen the corticosteroids and catecholamines secreted by adrenal glands while a person endures stress. A series of double-blind, placebo-controlled studies jointly conducted by Swedish and Russian researchers suggests Rhodiola heart benefits. Read more on this research here: Rhodiola Rosea Cardioprotective Effects

Another potential rhodiola benefit may be that it increases anti-tumor activity by improving the body’s resistance to toxins. A range of anti-oxidant compounds have been discovered within rhodiola rosea and considerable free-radical scavenging action has been exhibited in rhodiola extracts (both alcohol-based and water-based extracts). Research currently is being conducted on whether or not rhodiola rosea can be defined as a legitimate cancer treatment, or at least as a safe supplement to be used to help patients endure chemotherapy.

Rhodiola rosea extract both protects and stimulates the immune system by reestablishing homeostasis — or metabolic balance — in our body.

Rhodiola Rosea In the Wild

In clinical animal studies, rhodiola rosea extracts appear to heighten the transfer of serotonin precursors tryptophan and 5-HTP (or 5-hydroxytryptophan) into our brains. Serotonin is a broadly analyzed brain neurotransmitter chemical, which appears to be involved in several functions, including temperature regulation, appetite, pain perception, behavior, blood pressure and respiration.

Image Credits: (1) National Institute of Health (Public Domain), (2) Dr. Zakir Ramazanov, and (3) Benjamin Zwittnig.

Additional Theoretical Rhodiola Rosea Benefits

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Many other rhodiola benefits are believed to exist and may soon be proven through clinical trials. These possible benefits includes its ability to amend hearing, to regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics as well as protect the liver from environmental toxins. In addition, some early studies indicate it may activate the lipolytic operations (fat breakdown) and mobilize lipids from adipose tissue to the natural fat burning system of your body for weight reduction.

One reason these benefits of rhodiola enthuse researchers is that there appear to be very few significant rhodiola side-effects, something weighing down many pharmaceutical treatments and even a few natural supplements sold over-the-counter.

As I learn about new studies conducted to address specific rhodiola benefits, I will add them to my site.

Rhodiola side effects in most cases tend to be minimal and can be avoided with responsible usage. To understand rhodiola side effects, however, you should understand the underlying constituents which catalyze physiological effects in the human biology.

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Active Compounds in Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola Rosea provides a wide selection of potentially potent compounds which may be the origin of both its positive and negative effects. The most publicized compounds are a class of rosavins which include rosin, rosarin and rosavin itself. (Please note that the name Rosavin also happens to be a specific brand of rhodiola extract.)

However studies suggest that the most active compounds in rhodiola rosea — the most proven of adaptogens — are likely tyrosol and rhodioloside. It is also important to note that when these components have been tested in isolation, no consistent, measurable effects were observed. Thus rhodiola rosea side-effects appear to be a synergistic result of the tyrosol and rhodioloside acting with the rosin, rosarin and rosavin.

Additional components which may contribute to rhodiola rosea include rosiridin, rhodiolin, rhodioniside and salidroside. However, most studies indicate that these polyphenols cause little in the way of measurable physiological effects in humans. For most people the rhodiola benefits outweigh the typically minimal side effects.

Symptoms of Rhodiola Rosea Side Effects

With that charming clinical tedium out of the way, let me get to the heart of the matter: rhodiola side effects.

The most common rhodiola rosea side effects include restlessness, irritability, and insomnia. Essentially, these are the same common side effects often observed in any mild stimulant. To perceive these rhodiola side effects, you likely need to consume rhodiola in higher than usual doses or combine it with another stimulant, such as coffee.

If taken in high doses or with another stimulant, the most disturbing rhodiola rosea side effect would be a rapid heart beat, or heart palpitations.

I’ve also heard anecdotal evidence that these side effects of rhodiola rosea can cause the “shakes” if you first spike your blood sugar by eating sweets on an empty stomach than take rhodiola rosea extract. This is easily avoidable, but I still find it worth mentioning. Perhaps it is not a good idea to consume rhodiola rosea when you know you have low blood sugar and won’t be able to eat anytime soon.

As I stated on the Rhodiola Dangers page, most of these symptoms can be avoided by starting rhodiola in smaller doses than it is recommended, then working your way to the higher doses suggested on any specific rhodiola product’s label.

Do not exceed the higher end of the suggested dose, and do not combine rhodiola with other stimulants (like caffeine) until you are confident your body accepts rhodiola well and you’ve been taking it for some time.

Because of its restlessness and insomnia side effects, I suggest that you not take rhodiola rosea in the evening and definitely not before bed. Side effects of rhodiola can impact your ability to obtain quality, restful sleep.

I hope this explanation of rhodiola side-effects helps you feel more confident and informed in your rhodiola rosea usage.

Welcome to Rhodiola Rosea, a site dedicated to a thorough and hype-free approach to exploring the research and benefits of rhodiola rosea extract, whether you’re interested in using it to improve your endurance or you plan on taking rhodiola rosea for depression or to alleviate mild anxiety. Even with the exciting potential of these broad benefits and uses, I will try to provide a rational and hype-free approach to Rhodiola rosea discussion. Despite the excitement for rhodiola in the alternative health industry, R. rosea is not a magical solution to all your problems. However, it is a promising, safe and natural supplement worth researching and considering.

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This home page guide will teach you the key points you need to know about Rhodiola Rosea and Adaptogens. Of course, I’ll add more and more detailed content in the future, so keep an eye on the sidebar as well. For example, I’ve recently added Dr. Zakir Ramazanov’s excellent phytomedicinal research in the form of downloadable PDFs. I hope you learn something with your visit to my site and I wish you the best in health and in life.

Use these index questions to navigate this Rhodiola Rosea essay:

• Why A Website On Rhodiola Rosea Extract?
• What Is Rhodiola Rosea?
• What Are Adaptogens?
• How Does Rhodiola Rosea Work?
• Why Take Rhodiola Rosea Or Any Adaptogen?
• Rhodiola Dosage

Why A Website On Rhodiola Rosea Extract?

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Rhodiola rosea — sometimes referred to as Golden Root, Roseroot, Arctic Root or Aaron’s Rod — is an adaptogen with increasing clinical evidence suggesting a wide range of benefits with very few rhodiola side effects and rhodiola dangers. I’ve chosen to implement this website because I want people to realize that unlike many herbal remedies, which have questionable or at least debatable evidence for their usefulness (here’s looking at you, ginseng), rhodiola rosea appears to be a legitimate supplement for a range of practical purposes, from greater mental performance to greater physical endurance to decreased fatigue in strenuous circumstances. So whether you choose a rhodiola capsule or a rhodiola rosea extract, you’re using one of the few herbal remedies where case studies indicate genuine effectiveness despite minimal rhodiola side effects.

What Is Rhodiola Rosea?

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Rhodiola rosea, a perennial plant of the Rhodiola genus in the Crassulaceae family, grows in cold, harsh alpine regions of the Northern Hemisphere (thus it is a Holarctic ecozone species of Rhodiola). These regions include the Arctic, the Rocky Mountains, mountainous areas of central Asia, the Alps, the Carpathian Mountains, the Pyrenees, Scandinavia, Iceland and northern Russia (Siberia). It is a pretty little plant with yellow flowers, but it exhibits its hardiness by easily thriving in harsh, craggy environments. Because rhodiola rosea features both distinctly male and female plants, it is a dioecious plant, and because of its tendency to grow among rocks and stones, it is sometimes referred to as a stonecrop.

We’re most interested in Rhodiola rosea’s rugged, pale root. It contains a dark, aromatic sap. When the root is cut, you enjoy a potent rose-like aroma. This rhodiola species name is rosea, and that strong rose aroma is the origin of its name. Multiple strong stems grow from the root, growing from 10 to 30 inches in height. From each stem blossoms its distinct yellow flower.

Traditionally, rhodiola rosea was used by Russians, Siberians and Scandinavians to improve vitality in harsh conditions presented by bitter cold climates and high altitude areas. This golden root later developed a rather mysterious reputation as Soviet KGB agents relied on rhodiola rosea to improve physical and mental endurance while persevering stressful conditions and situations.

After being used for centuries in China and Russia and being studied for decades by the Soviet Union, rhodiola rosea’s western research was spearheaded by Dr. Zakir Ramazanov when he left the Soviet Union in 1989 to conduct research at the University of Umea in Sweden. He later joined Louisiana State University and the National Science Foundation in the United States. His scientific work and his efforts to promote the research of Siberian phytomedicines laid the foundation for modern research on adaptogens such as rhodiola rosea.

Rhodiola Root, Dried

Rhodiola rosea has been referred to with many different names and labels, which collectively can make following rhodiola research and discussion a little confusing. The following terms refer to rhodiola rosea: R rosea, sedum rosea, Golden Root, Roseroot (or Rose Root), Arctic Root, Aaron’s Rod, Rhodiola arctica, and Rhodiola iremelica, or broadly as Siberian Rhodiola Rosea. In Europe and Latin America you may see it spelled rodiola and rodiola rosea (without the ‘h’). In traditional Chinese medicine, where it has been used extensively, it is referred to as hóng j?ng ti?n.

The prominent constituents believed to enact rhodiola’s benefits include rosarin, rosavin, rosin (collectively called rosavins in many studies) and salidroside. Most rhodiola supplements are created from the rhodiola root. When you examine a rhodiola extract or any kind of rhodiola supplement, make sure it contains rhodiola rosea with a minimum 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.

Rhodiola crenulata is a common adulterant or substitute, but rhodiola crenulata does not provide the necessary rosavins that provide most of rhodiola’s benefits (although it does contain salidroside). Rhodiola rhodantha and rhodiola alsia are also common rhodiola species, but these are better known for their beauty as plants and flowers than for their medicinal uses. So make sure you get the right rhodiola when you select your rhodiola supplement, whether you intend to take it for herbal stress relief or you intend to use it for improving your stamina.

What Are Adaptogens?

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Rhodiola Rosea extract is an adaptogen, a family of natural supplements which exhibits an ability to improve the human response to physical and/or mental stress and trauma. Theoretically, adaptogens help humans maintain optimal homeostasis by balancing their immune systems and endocrine hormones. The term adaptogen quite clearly derives from the substance’s capacity to assist an organism to adapt to strenuous circumstances.

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Adaptogens don’t produce the immediate physiological effects produced by stimulants like caffeine, and thus are widely considered more safe and mild than chemical stimulants.

In the past decade, the most commonly sold adaptogen has been ginseng. However, rhodiola rosea and rhodiola rosea extracts exhibit more tangible, distinct and immediate stimulating effects. And unlike ginseng, which is the subject of much heated debate between the medical community and the natural health community, rhodiola rosea is collecting mounting clinical evidence that it just plain really works.

Other relatively popular and natural adaptogens I may discuss on this site include Ashwagandha, Eleuthero, Holy basil, Licorice, Maca and Noni.

How Does Rhodiola Rosea Work?

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Rhodiola works by inhibiting subtype A and subtype B of an enzyme called monoamine oxidase and by affecting opioid peptides (chained amino acids) like beta-endorphin (a neurotransmitter in both the central and peripheral nervous systems).

Subtype A of monoamine oxidase (MAO-A) metabolizes caffeine and serotonin (among many other things it metabolizes). Subtype B of monamine oxidase (MAO-B) metabolizes dopamine (among other things).

Thus by increasing serotoneric activity rhodiola rosea lifts your mood, and by increasing dopaminergic activity rhodiola lifts your mood, sharpens your focus and increases your energy. By inhibiting caffeine metabolism it may both increase and extend its effects.

In addition, rhodiola modulates cortisol production during times of physical or emotional duress. Cortisol is a steroid hormone and it is often called the stress hormone. Our adrenal glands produce cortisol to help us cope with stressful situations. Unfortunately, sometimes our body produces too much cortisol, or if we experience chronic stress our body produces cortisol too often, even in times when we don’t really need it.

Since cortisol suppresses our immune system, counteracts insulin and metabolizes proteins, fats and carbohydrates, too much cortisol may amplify these basic functions and produce detrimental problems. Rhodiola rosea acts as a mild cortisol modulator, helping our bodies reduce the repercussions of excessive cortisol release by our adrenal glands.

Please see Rhodiola Rosea Pharmacology, Phytochemistry and Standardization and Rhodiola Supplements for Muscle Development and Athletic Performance for more extensive coverage of how rhodiola works.

Why Take Rhodiola Rosea Extract or Any Adaptogen?

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Rhodiola rosea crashed the growing natural health party when a rigorous Swedish case study suggested rhodiola’s ability to quicken memory, improve attention span, sharpen mental performance, alleviate depression, soothe mental and physical fatigue and improve human focus in difficult circumstances. You can read Newsweek’s 2003 coverage of this research, which includes comments from RhodiolaRosea.Org‘s founder Dr. Ramazanov, in our recently reformatted release of this article: Herbal Stress Relief.

(The exact extract used in that study was SHR-5, a proprietary rhodiola rosea extract manufactured and distributed by the Swedish Herbal Institute.)

However, a broad collection of research comes from Russian and Scandinavian sources dating back decades. For specific references to some of these studies, please see Dr. Zakir Ramazanov’s essay on Rhodiola For Muscle Development.

Rigorous case studies suggest genuine neurochemical mechanisms produce these positive rhodiola benefits. The most well-known case studies were conducted by Dr. Richard P. Brown, an associate clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Dr. Patricia L. Gerbarg, an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College, Dr. Philip R. Muskin, the Chief of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry at the Columbia University Medical Center and a Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University, and reported in their books The Rhodiola Revolution and How to Use Herbs and Nutrients in Mental Health Care (those are links to these books on Amazon.com, where you can buy them and then read them for yourself!).

Despite these broad benefits, rhodiola rosea features a remarkably low toxicity level. In standard clinical toxicity studies performed with rats, the lethal dose at which 50 percent of animals perish was determined to be 28.6 ml/kg, which is approximately 3,360 mg/kg. This is extremely low even compared to many common, safe herbs or frequently consumed over-the-counter pain medications.

Rhodiola Dosage

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Defining the “right” rhodiola dosage depends on both the potency of the specific supplement and brand you’re taking as well as your purpose for taking rhodiola rosea. Most rhodiola rosea supplements in North America come in either capsule or tablet form, with the tablet form often being more potent. In Russia, people take rhodiola rosea extract in a liquid tincture composed of a liquid base with a small amount of alcohol. Some rhodiola rosea tinctures are now appearing in North America as well.

To start, you want your rhodiola supplement to contain a 3 to 1 ratio of rosavins to salidroside because this is very close to the natural ratio of these important compounds in rhodiola root. It is also the ratio most used in rhodiola rosea research. Thus the most common standardized concentration of rosavins and salidroside is 3% rosavins and around 1% salidroside. I’ve seen some over-hyped supplements promoting a higher concentration of rosavins, but no research or evidence supports higher dosage concentrations.

Dr. Richard P. Brown and Dr. Patricia Gerbarg recommend 100 mg capsules if possible. This allows you to vary or customize your dosage depending on your sensitivity to rhodiola rosea or your particular purpose for taking R. rosea. For people who find themselves experiencing nervousness or the jitters after taking lower doses, the rhodiola rosea capsule can be opened and even smaller portions can be taken or mixed into teas or juices.

The most recent comprehensive clinical trial, conducted in Armenia in 2007, suggested effective daily dosage of rhodiola rosea was in the 340 to 680 milligram range. This dosage provided significant rhodiola benefits for treating moderate depression without causing any of the minor rhodiola side effects.

However, because rhodiola rosea provides energy, most researchers and herbal remedy practitioners recommend taking it during the first half of the day to prevent it from disrupting your sleep. I recommend taking it about 30 minutes before breakfast and then again 30 minutes before lunch. When you first start taking rhodiola rosea, I suggest avoiding caffeine for about two hours before and after taking it.

Because different people react to it in different ways, I suggest starting with just a single 100 mg dose per day, then moving to two 100 mg doses each day if your body responds well to it. You can then increase your dosage as necessary to treat your particular condition. I rarely recommend a daily dose as high as 1000 mg, but let your doctor or natural health practitioner determine the right maximum rhodiola rosea dosage for you.

I am researching and composing an article on how to customize your rhodiola rosea dosage depending on your desired result, be it for treating anxiety, moderate depression, improving physical endurance or another possible rhodiola treatment.

Read more on benefits and side-effects in these respective articles: Rhodiola Benefits and Rhodiola Side Effects.

Thank you for visiting Rhodiola Rosea and I hope you find my research and guides beneficial to your overall health and well-being!