Rhodiola Rosea: The Root of Resilience
Rhodiola rosea, sometimes called “golden root” or “Arctic root,” is a time-honored adaptogenic herb treasured for its stress-buffering benefits and energy-boosting properties. Traditionally used in Siberian and Scandinavian herbal medicine, Rhodiola grows in some of the harshest conditions on earth—from the mountainous terrain of Russia and the Arctic, to the high altitudes of Central Asia and Eastern Europe. This hardy herb knows how to survive extremes, and it just might help your nervous system do the same.
What Makes Rhodiola Tick?
The most therapeutically active parts of Rhodiola rosea are its roots and rhizomes, where bioactive compounds like rosavin, salidroside, and tyrosol are most concentrated. These compounds have been shown to modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis—your body’s central stress-response system. Clinical studies have found Rhodiola to improve physical endurance, reduce fatigue, support mood, and even enhance cognitive function in times of high demand or burnout.
One double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Phytomedicine found that medical students taking Rhodiola extract experienced reduced mental fatigue and improved academic performance during stressful examination periods (1). Other trials have demonstrated benefits for mild-to-moderate depression, work-related fatigue, and generalized anxiety (2).
Proceed with Wisdom: Contraindications
While Rhodiola is generally well-tolerated, it’s not suitable for everyone. Known contraindications include:
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Due to insufficient safety data.
Bipolar disorder: Rhodiola may trigger agitation or hypomanic episodes in individuals with bipolar spectrum conditions.
Stimulant medications or SSRIs: May potentiate effects and cause jitteriness, insomnia, or serotonergic side effects in sensitive individuals.
Autoimmune disorders: As an immune modulator, Rhodiola may exacerbate certain autoimmune responses, though this remains a theoretical risk.
As always, it’s best to consult with a qualified medical or integrative healthcare provider before starting any herbal supplement—especially if you’re taking medications or have a preexisting health condition.
And if all this talk about stress relief has made you crave a little comfort… might we suggest trying a Rhodiola cookie? Yes, you heard that right—adaptogenic bliss in cookie form. Scroll to the bottom of this post to find our Forgotten Cookies with Rhodiola recipe. Because resilience, like dessert, is best enjoyed slowly.
References:
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. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(2):85-89.
Cropley M, Banks AP, Boyle J. The effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on anxiety, stress, cognition and other mood symptoms. Phytother Res. 2015;29(12):1934-1939. doi:10.1002/ptr.5486
