Background

• Rhodiola grows in cold regions and at high altitudes in Europe and Asia, where its roots have traditionally been used to increase resistance to physical stress.
• While there are more than 200 species of rhodiola, Rhodiola rosea is considered preferable, because it contains rosavins. Supplements generally contain a minimum of 3% rosavins.
• Rhodiola is considered an adaptogen, which is an agent that is believed to normalize functioning and stimulate healing of cells. It has been used to prevent fatigue and enhance physical and mental performance. Rhodiola may also provide benefit in bladder cancer, lung disease, and exercise and mental performance, but more studies are needed to confirm these findings.

References

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• Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, et al. 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. Phytomedicine 2000;7(5):365-371.
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• Olsson EM, von Scheele B, Panossian AG. 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. Planta Med 2009;75(2):105-112.
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• Parisi A, Tranchita E, Duranti G, et al. Effects of chronic Rhodiola rosea supplementation on sport performance and antioxidant capacity in trained male: preliminary results. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2010;50(1):57-63.
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• Provino R. The role of adaptogens in stress management. Australian Journal of Medical Herbalism 2010;22(2):41-49.
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• Skarpanska-Stejnborn A, Pilaczynska-Szczesniak L, Basta P, et al. The influence of supplementation with Rhodiola rosea L. extract on selected redox parameters in professional rowers. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab 2009;19(2):186-199.
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• Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine 2000;7(2):85-89.
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