Rhodiola rosea has become one of the most important adaptogenic plants used in modern alternative clinical practices. Historically, Rhodiola rosea, or “golden root”, has been used in Eastern Europe, Scandinavia and Asia. It has remained largely unknown in the West, until the last decade or so. Traditionally, Rhodiola rosea was used in folk medicine with a reputation to increase physical endurance, productivity, longevity, resistance to high altitude sickness, fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections and disorders of the nervous system. The roots were used as bouquets to enhance fertility in young Siberian couples prior to their marriage. The tea was used for colds and flues during the hard winters in Asian. Rhodiola was highly coveted as a trade item by outsiders, and in exchange, they gave up their fine wines, fruits and honey.

The Vikings of Scandinavia used the herb to enhance their physical strength and endurance-something they came to be famous for. All of this folklore first led to investigations of its phytochemistry in the early 1960s that identified adaptogenic compounds in the roots of the plant. These adaptogens, as well as the later discovered antioxidant and stimulating compounds in Rhodiola rosea, are responsible for its medicinal properties.

The properties of Rhodiola rosea to influence the cardiopulmonary system, central nervous system, and improve the ability to adapt to stressors have been attributed primarily to its influence on the levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in different structures in the brain. It may be that the plant inhibits the breakdown of these chemicals and facilitates the neurotransmitter transport within the brain. In addition to these effects on the central nervous system, Rhodiola has been reported to increase the chemicals that provide energy to the muscle of the heart and to prevent the depletion of adrenal catecholamines induced by acute stress. Furthermore, Rhodiola has been observed to prevent the stress-induced increase of cortisol, which may account for its anti-stress effect, but might also be associated with increased attention, anti-fatigue effect as well as the antidepressant effect.

Rhodiola rosea is most surprising in its versatility with its ability to affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, immune system and musculoskeletal system. This is a remarkable range of therapeutic benefit from one simple plant. In this time of increasing emotional stress, increased pressures, demands and workloads, increased exposure to environmental stressors, and increased expense of our health care, a flexible and diverse herb that is not expensive, with a great safety profile, is more than appealing. Most individuals will see an improvement in their mood, energy level, mental capacity, memory, stamina and/or endurance within 2-6 weeks. Future research will likely explore the use of Rhodiola rosea in areas such as dementia, infertility, menstrual abnormalities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, post-traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, brain injuries, cancer, and sports performance.

This herb research review is intended to be used by authorized health care practitioners, clinicians, pharmacists, physicians, and any other professionally trained persons who may provide medical advice to patients or consumers. The information presented has been obtained from research of reference books, clinical and scientific published papers, and other published works. The lay reader is advised to consult a licensed health care practitioner regarding the information contained herein.