Also known as golden root and “arctic root,” rhodiola is a supplement that is taken to treat stress, fatigue, and a variety of other common conditions. Made from the rhodiola plant, which grows at cold, high altitudes in Europe, rhodiola can be used in tablet form or taken as a tincture.
People who practice Eastern medicine, as well as European medical professionals in Scandinavia and Russia, classify this supplement as an adaptogen — a non-toxic plant that helps protect the body from the effects of stress.
But should you take rhodiola? Learn about the health benefits and risks of rhodiola before you add it to your diet.
Health Benefits
Those who take rhodiola regularly tout its benefits in everything from reducing fatigue to helping people combat anxiety and depression. It can also help improve stamina, energy, and athletic performance.
Other health benefits of rhodiola include:
Reducing Anxiety
In the current era, people are busier than ever. We are plugged in and available at all times, which is exciting, but it can also lead to feeling overwhelmed or worried. Anxiety is the feeling of extreme worry. Everyone feels anxious from time to time, but sometimes the feelings control you, and that’s when it becomes a problem called an anxiety disorder.
Rhodiola helps to reduce anxiety and ease the effects of stress through the presence of antioxidants in its makeup. Your body uses antioxidants — like vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E — to fight cell damage from molecules called free radicals. Plants and fruits are rich in these antioxidants.
A study discussed in an article in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry showed that taking antioxidants also helped reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety in people with generalized anxiety disorder and depression. The study noted that people with these conditions had lower levels of antioxidants in their bodies at the onset of the study. After taking antioxidants for a set period, many of the participants showed a decrease in feelings of anxiety and depression.
Helps Slow the Signs of Aging
Antioxidants also help the body to age more gracefully. Normal bodily wear and tear occurs as cells get damaged over time, but certain antioxidants can help to slow this process by acting on DNA. These compounds can also help cells resist damage caused by environmental stressors, such as smoking or radiation.
Improves Memory
Rhodiola is commonly used to improve memory and mental performance. Research is ongoing to study the effects of rhodiola on people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other attentive conditions. These studies have shown a positive impact of rhodiola on mental function, because it reduces fatigue and stress.
Health Risks
In general, the side effects of rhodiola are mild. However, most herbal supplements do cause side effects, and they may interfere with certain medications. It’s always best to ask your doctor about potential risks before starting any treatment.
Medical Interaction
Since rhodiola reduces stress and anxiety, it can be tempting for people with anxiety disorders to add it to their treatment regimen. However, mixing rhodiola with common anti-anxiety medication can cause health problems, including irregular heartbeat.
Long-Term Side Effects
While studies have been conducted on animals to determine the potential benefits and side effects of rhodiola, there have been few studies on humans. However, in studies conducted on humans, most are limited to short periods of time. Therefore, the long-term effects have not been studied thoroughly, and you may be safer limiting use of rhodiola to shorter periods of 6 to 12 weeks.
Limited Testing
Most studies show that rhodiola is safe and works for its intended use, particularly reducing the body’s reaction to stress. However, it has not been tested on pregnant women. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking rhodiola.
Amounts and Dosage
Many rhodiola supplements range from 100 milligrams to 500 milligrams. The recommended dose is 200 milligrams twice daily. The safest maximum dose of rhodiola is 600 mgs per day.
