adaptogenmental

Rhodiola

Rhodiola grows in cold regions and at high altitudes in Europe, Asia and North America. Today it is promoted for improving mood and cognition, increasing energy and reducing stress. NCCIH says we haven't learned enough to say whether it is useful for any health-related purpose.

Rhodiola grows in cold regions and at high altitudes in Europe, Asia, and North America. It has a long history of use in Russia, Scandinavia, and other parts of Europe. Traditionally, rhodiola was used for work performance, endurance, fatigue, depression, and altitude sickness. Today, rhodiola is promoted for improving athletic performance, mood, and cognition; increasing energy; and reducing stress.

Research & evidence

Strong support Some support Weak or no supportColours show how well the sources back each point. The reason is next to each one.

There isn't enough reliable evidence to determine whether rhodiola or its components are useful for any health-related purpose.

Limited evidenceSome support. Not enough good evidence to say

Study details

NCCIH: "There isn't enough reliable evidence to determine whether rhodiola or its components are useful" NCCIH: "We haven't learned enough to say whether rhodiola is useful for any health-related purpose."

Source: NCCIH, Rhodiola (Last Updated April 2025), How Much Do We Know? View source

Most of the research in people is of low-to-moderate quality.

Limited evidenceSome support. Reviewers rated the certainty low

Study details

NCCIH: "Most of the research in people is of low-to-moderate quality."

Source: NCCIH, Rhodiola (Last Updated April 2025), How Much Do We Know? View source

Dosage

Form	Amount
Any form	No standard dose is listed by our sources.

Dosage varies by body weight, age, sex, existing health conditions, current medications, and pregnancy/breastfeeding status. The amounts above reflect commonly studied or commonly recommended amounts, not a personal prescription. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a chronic condition, or taking medication.

Side effects

Side effects may include dizziness, headache, insomnia, and either dry mouth or excessive saliva production. Interactions between rhodiola and losartan, a drug used for high blood pressure, have been reported. NCCIH says rhodiola is possibly safe for up to 12 weeks.

Well documented Reported (case reports, anecdotal or one study) None reportedThe circle shows how well documented an effect is, not how serious it is. A rarely reported effect can still be serious, so always read ‘When to stop’.

Effect	Frequency	When to stop
Dizziness and headacheWell documentedListed plainly by NIH, MSK or LiverTox	Not stated	Stop and talk to a doctor if it persists.
InsomniaWell documentedListed plainly by NIH, MSK or LiverTox	Not stated	Stop and talk to a doctor if it persists.
Dry mouth or excessive saliva productionWell documentedListed plainly by NIH, MSK or LiverTox	Not stated	Stop and talk to a doctor if it persists.

Safety & interactions

Safety

NCCIH says rhodiola is possibly safe for up to 12 weeks. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using any herbal product.

Contraindications

NCCIH says little is known about whether it's safe to use rhodiola during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you take losartan, see Drug interactions.

Drug interactions

Losartan (a drug used for high blood pressure)Documented

NCCIH says interactions between rhodiola and losartan (a drug used for high blood pressure) have been reported.

Established: stated plainly by an authoritative source. Documented: supported by case reports or trial data. Theoretical: based on mechanism, animal data, or a cautious listing. Always check with your pharmacist or prescriber.