Rhodiola is a herb that grows in the cold, mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. Its roots are considered to be adaptogens, which means that their consumption helps your body adapt to stress. Rhodiola is also known as arctic root or golden root. Its scientific name is Rhodiola rosea.
People in Russia and Scandinavian countries have used rhodiola for centuries to treat: anxiety, fatigue, depression. Today, it’s widely used as a dietary supplement for its many health benefits. Here are science-based health benefits of Rhodiola rosea.
May improve exercise performance
Rhodiola has been claimed to improve sports performance by reducing physical and mental fatigue and increasing antioxidant activity.
One animal study (1) found that rhodiola could improve muscle power and strength performance in rats. In the study, the rats were given Rhodiola rosea extract combined with another adaptogen called Rhaponticum carthamoides (maral root) after resistance exercise. Another study (2) found that Rhodiola reduced reaction time and overall reaction time in young, healthy, physically active men. It also increased antioxidant activity, but had no effect on overall endurance.
In other studies (3, 4), rhodiola has been shown to improve exercise performance by decreasing perceived exertion, or how hard participants felt their bodies were working.
May improve brain function
A review of 36 animal studies (5) concluded that rodiola may improve learning and memory function.
An animal study (6) found that a single dose of rhodiola improved memory and had an antidepressant effect in mice. This suggests that rhodiola may be a good tool for improving cognition and counteracting mood disorders in humans. Another research (7) reviewTrusted Source concluded that the therapeutic properties of rhodiola may benefit many age-related conditions. The researchers called for more research to bridge the gap between experimental results and clinical applications.
May help decrease stress
Another research review concluded that the therapeutic properties of Rhodiola may benefit many age-related conditions. The researchers called for more research to bridge the gap between experimental results and clinical applications. Taking adaptogens during stressful times is thought to help you cope better with stressful situations. Rhodiola has also been shown to improve symptoms of burnout, which can occur with chronic stress.
One study (8) involved 118 people with stress-related burnout who took 400 mg of Rhodiola daily for 12 weeks. Participants in the study showed significant improvement in several symptoms, such as stress and depression, commonly associated with burnout. (9, 10, 11)
Rhodiola
People in Russia and Scandinavian countries have used rhodiola for centuries to treat: anxiety, fatigue, depression. Today, it’s widely used as a dietary supplement for its many health benefits. Here are science-based health benefits of Rhodiola rosea.
May improve exercise performance
Rhodiola has been claimed to improve sports performance by reducing physical and mental fatigue and increasing antioxidant activity.
One animal study (1) found that rhodiola could improve muscle power and strength performance in rats. In the study, the rats were given Rhodiola rosea extract combined with another adaptogen called Rhaponticum carthamoides (maral root) after resistance exercise. Another study (2) found that Rhodiola reduced reaction time and overall reaction time in young, healthy, physically active men. It also increased antioxidant activity, but had no effect on overall endurance.
In other studies (3, 4), rhodiola has been shown to improve exercise performance by decreasing perceived exertion, or how hard participants felt their bodies were working.
May improve brain function
A review of 36 animal studies (5) concluded that rodiola may improve learning and memory function.
An animal study (6) found that a single dose of rhodiola improved memory and had an antidepressant effect in mice. This suggests that rhodiola may be a good tool for improving cognition and counteracting mood disorders in humans. Another research (7) reviewTrusted Source concluded that the therapeutic properties of rhodiola may benefit many age-related conditions. The researchers called for more research to bridge the gap between experimental results and clinical applications.
May help decrease stress
Another research review concluded that the therapeutic properties of Rhodiola may benefit many age-related conditions. The researchers called for more research to bridge the gap between experimental results and clinical applications. Taking adaptogens during stressful times is thought to help you cope better with stressful situations. Rhodiola has also been shown to improve symptoms of burnout, which can occur with chronic stress.
One study (8) involved 118 people with stress-related burnout who took 400 mg of Rhodiola daily for 12 weeks. Participants in the study showed significant improvement in several symptoms, such as stress and depression, commonly associated with burnout. (9, 10, 11)