Rhodiola
Rhodiola rosea L.Crassulaceae // root · rhizome
Overview
Plant parts
root, rhizome
Known constituents
rosavins, salidroside
Research corpus coverage
Chemistry notes
- CHEMISTRY: Relevant reported constituents include rosavins; salidroside; constituent presence alone does not establish clinical efficacy.
Uses & Evidence
Traditional / historical use
Documented traditional use — not a claim of established efficacy.
TRADITIONAL: Rhodiola has been used for fatigue; stress; altitude adaptation; this records historical/traditional use and does not establish efficacy.
MODERATE · evidence synthesis/fact sheet · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Modern evidence
EVIDENCE: For the major use set (fatigue; stress; altitude adaptation), the evidence assessment is limited/mixed: Limited/mixed trials for fatigue and stress; many studies are small or at risk of bias.
MODERATE · randomized controlled trial · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Mixed findings, product heterogeneity, or indirect evidence are preserved in the detailed profile.
Preparation
Forms used traditionally
A listed form does not imply it suits every plant part, or that one preparation is interchangeable with another — see the plant’s own notes below.
PREPARATION: The medicinal material is root; rhizome; traditional and modern forms include decoction, tincture, powder/capsule, standardized extract. No dose or potency is specified.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph · EMA European Union herbal monographs and list entries
Preparation-specific evidence should not be generalized across extracts, teas, oils, or whole herb.
Safety
Additional safety notes (general, unstructured)
Free-text safety notes carried from their source — not broken out by species, route, or hazard type, and not equivalent to the structured records above. Each note names the kind of source it came from.
SAFETY: Major issues include Dizziness, dry mouth, agitation. Contraindications/cautions include Bipolar disorder caution.
MODERATE · evidence synthesis/fact sheet · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Other Rhodiola species may substitute for R. rosea; marker profiles differ.
SAFETY: Clinically relevant interaction concerns include Potential interactions with antidepressants, stimulants, BP and glucose drugs.
MODERATE · evidence synthesis/fact sheet · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Some interactions are theoretical or based on case reports/pharmacokinetics rather than outcome trials.
SAFETY: Pregnancy/lactation reference: Insufficient pregnancy/lactation evidence.
MODERATE · regulatory monograph or evidence synthesis · NCCIH Herbs at a Glance
Absence of evidence is not evidence of safety.
Preparation × species risk matrix
Unknown means insufficient evidence was located — not that a form is safe.
Cats
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Dogs
- tinctureCaution
- concentrated extractUnknown
- essential oilUnknown
- glyceriteUnknown
- infused oilUnknown
- salveUnknown
- smoke/combustionUnknown
- tea/infusionUnknown
- whole herbUnknown
Identity
- Possible adulterantCrenulate rhodiola
Rhodiola crenulata is reported as a substitute/adulterant in products marketed as R. rosea.
Why it matters: Rosavin and related marker profiles differ; clinical evidence is not transferable.
HIGH · Chemical Authentication of Botanical Ingredients: A Review of Commercial Herbal Products
- Synonym
GBIF resolves Sedum rosea (L.) Scop. as a synonym of Rhodiola rosea. The older name still appears in herbal and taxonomic literature.
MODERATE · GBIF Species Match API
Botanical synonym
Sedum roseum (L.) Scop.
Taxonomic identity note
- Rhodiola is treated here as Rhodiola rosea L. in the family Crassulaceae; recorded older names include Sedum roseum (L.) Scop..
Sources
Research records are source-linked but may not yet be editorially reviewed.
- NCCIH Herbs at a Glance5 claims
NCCIH fact sheet
- Plants of the World Online1 claim
botanical taxonomy database
EMA monograph
WHO monograph
- GBIF Species Match API1 claim
authoritative taxonomic database
peer-reviewed authentication review