Rhodiola Rosea Capsules

Rhodiola Rosea (also known as Golden Root, Arctic Root, King’s Crown and Rose Root) is an herbal adaptogen that promotes a healthy response to stressors: reducing fatigue when stressed, supporting physical fitness during stress, and promoting subjective well-being when coping with stress.

Rhodiola Rosea Benefits

• Promotes stamina and may boost athletic performance during exercise (ref)(ref)*
• Maintains energy levels, especially during stress (ref)*
• Supports well-being and promotes a healthy response to stress (ref)*

Rhodiola Rosea Mode of Action

Rhodiola Rosea is a plant treasured for the active constituents of its roots.  The root contains more than 30 compounds which include glycosides.  Its active glycoside salidroside (or rhodosine, rhodioloside) and a compound called rosavin are believed to be the active compounds in Rhodiola Rosea.  Other plants in the Rhodiola family do not contain rosavin (1).

Rhodiola stimulates dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, and nicotinic cholinergic pathways in the central nervous system (2).  The studies in animals, which may not be representative of the effect in humans, suggest that Rhodiola may increase serotonin levels (3).

Rhodiola’s effects on the central nervous system and its effects on neural plasticity (4) are thought to be the mechanism behind its ability to reduce symptoms of work-related stress, as illustrated by a study on fatigue with night doctors (2).

Rhodiola has also been studied for its promise of reducing symptoms of people under chronic stress and improving their perceived stress levels (7).

In addition, Rhodiola may improve endurance during exercise performance because of its mediating effects of decreasing heart rate and the perception of effort during exercise (5).  It may also boost anaerobic performance (6).

Rhodiola Rosea Capsules

Pure Nootropics’ Rhodiola Rosea capsules provide 500 mg (of Standardized 3% Rosavins and 1% Salidrosides) per 1 capsule.  Suggested use for adults is 1 capsule by mouth daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner.

Rhodiola Rosea Side Effects & Toxicity

Though generally well tolerated, some side effects of Rhodiola are usually mild and include an increase or decrease in saliva and dizziness (1).

The LD50 for rats was 3,360 mg/kg, which is an extremely high dose, suggesting Rhodiola is safe at therapeutic doses (2).

Note:  If you are taking any medications or supplements, please consult your healthcare provider before beginning supplementation with Rhodiola and read below for possible medications/herbs/supplement interactions. 

Rhodiola may decrease blood sugar levels and increase the risk of hypoglycemia if used with other medications to manage blood sugar such as Amaryl (glimepiride), insulin, Diabeta, Glynase Pres Tab, Micronase, Avandia, and others (1).

• Herbs and supplements that lower blood sugar and if used with Rhodiola may lower blood sugar too much include alpha-lipoic acid, chromium, bitter melon, devil’s claw, garlic, fenugreek, horse chestnut, guar gum, psyllium, Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and others (1).

Rhodiola may also interact with medications to lower blood pressure and the combination may lower blood pressure too much.  These medications include Capoten (captopril), Cozaar (losartan), Vasotec (enalapril), Cardizem (diltiazem), HydroDiuril, Lasix (furosemide), and others (1).

• Herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure and if used with Rhodiola may lower blood pressure too much include casein peptides, Andrographis, cat’s claw, fish oil, coenzyme Q-10, L-arginine, lyceum, theanine, stinging nettles, and others (1).

In vitro studies suggest that Rhodiola inhibits p-glycoprotein; medications made with p-glycoprotein substrates such as chemotherapeutics (etoposide, vinblastine, paclitaxel, vincristine vindesine), protease inhibitors (indinavir, amprenavir, saquinavir, nelfinavir), H2 Antagonists (ranitidine, cimetidine), corticosteroids, some calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem), erythromycin, cyclosporine, cisapride (Propulsid), Allegra (fexofenadine), Imodium (loperamide), quinidine, and others (1).

In vitro studies suggest that medications metabolized by CYP3A4 such as Mevacor (lovastatin), Sporanox (itraconazole), Nizoral (ketoconazole), Allegra (fexofenadine), Halcion (triazolam), and others (1).

If you are taking SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor), please consult with your healthcare practitioner before beginning supplementation.  Concurrent use of Escitalopram with Rhodiola may increase the levels of adverse effects (1).

If you are taking immunosuppressant medications, Rhodiola may interfere with immunosuppressive therapeutic medications due to its immunostimulatory effects (1).

For further information, please see our References Tab above.