Omnia SanaRhodiola rosea
Common names in 19 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 11 traditional / indicated uses, with 19 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Succulent perennial herb (Crassulaceae), 15-40 cm tall, with a thick, fleshy, branching rhizome that has a rose-like fragrance when cut - the origin of the name 'rosea'. Leaves are fleshy, greyish-green, oval to oblong. Small yellow (occasionally reddish) flowers are clustered in dense terminal heads; the species is dioecious, with separate male and female plants. Fruit follicles turn red as they ripen.[3]
Height: 15-40 cm
Habit: Succulent perennial herb, dioecious
Leaves: Fleshy, greyish-green, oval to oblong
Flowers: Small, yellow (occasionally reddish), in dense terminal clusters
Stem: Erect, succulent
Root: Thick, fleshy, branching rhizome, rose-scented when cut
Fruit: Follicles, turning red as they ripen
Flowering Period: June-July
Habitat & Distribution
Native to arctic and mountainous regions of Europe, Asia and North America (circumpolar), growing in cold, rocky, high-altitude or high-latitude terrain - cliffs, rocky slopes and tundra - tolerating harsh, exposed conditions.[3]
Harvesting
Rhizome and root are dug from plants at least a few years old (traditionally 4-5 years), typically in autumn, then cleaned and dried. Wild populations grow slowly, so cultivated sources are increasingly preferred for sustainability.[3]
Parts: Rhizome, Root
Season: Autumn, from plants at least 4-5 years old
Key Constituents
Rosavins (rosavin, rosarin, rosin)[3]
Characteristic phenylpropanoid glycosides largely unique to Rhodiola rosea, used as a standardisation marker for commercial extracts.
Salidroside and tyrosol[3]
Phenylethanoid glycosides considered key adaptogenic and antioxidant constituents.
Phenylpropanoids and flavonoids[2]
Contribute to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of the root.
Flavonoids
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055, REF-1534
Evidence: 2
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
inferred from antidiabetic action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 2
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1535
Evidence: 6
Label: Cognitive function
inferred from immunomodulator action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 2
Label: Cold & flu
inferred from ergogenic action
Evidence: 10
Label: Fatigue / low energy
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 2
Label: Immune support
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 7
Label: Inflammation (general)
inferred from neuroprotective action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-1535
Evidence: 5
Label: Memory
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 2
Label: Metabolic support
inferred from ergogenic action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055
Evidence: 7
Label: Muscle soreness
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Mechanistic Exclude Ids: REF-0055, REF-1534
Evidence: 2
Label: Skin irritation
Traditional Use & History
Rhodiola has a long tradition of use across Scandinavian, Russian and Central Asian folk medicine as a tonic for cold-climate hardiness, physical endurance and mental stamina. It is classified as a modern 'adaptogen', and clinical trials support benefits for stress-related fatigue, mood and cognitive performance.[1, 3]
Preparations
Dosage
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Generally well tolerated. May cause agitation, insomnia, or vivid dreams in sensitive individuals - take in the morning. Avoid in manic episodes or severe anxiety. Theoretical interactions with MAOIs, SSRIs, and CNS stimulants. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Herb-Drug Interactions
Mechanism: Rhodiola inhibits monoamine oxidase (MAO-A/B) and raises serotonin and dopamine activity; a case report described serotonergic-syndrome-type symptoms (restlessness, trembling) when rhodiola was added to the antidepressant paroxetine. Combined with antidepressants it may add to serotonergic effects.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Herb-Herb Pairings
Rhodiola and eleuthero (Siberian ginseng) are classic adaptogens combined in traditional and studied fixed formulas to build resistance to stress and fatigue; used together their stress-protective effects are complementary.
Type: synergy
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Harvest Readiness
Part: rhizome
Signals: Lift only from mature plants: the underground parts are dug once, at the end of the fourth or fifth year of growth., Within a season the rosavin content of the dried rhizome is at its highest at flowering.
Basis: both
Constituent Note: Total rosavins in the dried rhizome peak at flowering, and root dry weight falls to a minimum at budding/full flowering before rising again towards a harvest taken after wilting (ISHS Acta Horticulturae, REF-3385).
Source Quote: Rhodiola rosea is grown as a perennial, but the roots are harvested once at the end of four or five years.
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: Two complementary sources, not one confirming the other, which is why this stays provisional. Alberta Agriculture Agdex 188/20-2 (REF-3384) gives the maturity rule (fourth or fifth year); the ISHS harvest-time study (REF-3385) gives the within-season phenophase - 'The content of total rosavins in the dry rhizomes was the highest at flowering on both sites'. They address different aspects of readiness and so do not constitute an independent confirmation of the same stage. Supersedes the earlier dead end (PFAF and Useful Temperate Plants gave only flowering and propagation-division timing).
Part: root
Signals: The root is dug with the rhizome, from mature plants only, at the end of the fourth or fifth year of growth., Root dry weight falls to a minimum around budding and full flowering, then rises again towards a harvest taken after the tops have wilted.
Basis: both
Constituent Note: Rhizomes of R. rosea contain more phenylpropenoids than the roots, and root dry weight is lowest at budding/full flowering, recovering towards the post-wilting harvest (ISHS Acta Horticulturae, REF-3385).
Source Quote: the dry weight of the root decreased until budding/full flowering, followed by an increase towards the last harvest after wilting
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: ISHS harvest-time study of cultivated Rhodiola rosea at Finnish and Norwegian sites (REF-3385) for the within-season phenophase, plus Alberta Agriculture Agdex 188/20-2 (REF-3384) for the maturity rule, 'the roots are harvested once at the end of four or five years'. The two sources are complementary rather than confirmatory, so this stays provisional. Supersedes the earlier dead end.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Ivanova Stojcheva, E. and Quintela, J.C (2022) 'The Effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. Preparations in Alleviating Various Aspects of Life-Stress Symptoms and Stress-Induced Conditions - Encouraging Clinical Evidence', Molecules, 27(12), pp. 3902. doi:10.3390/molecules27123902 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27123902 - Pu, W.L., Zhang, M.Y., Bai, R.Y., Sun, L.K. and others (2019) 'Anti-inflammatory effects of Rhodiola rosea L.: A review', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 121, pp. 109552. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109552 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109552 - Panossian, A., Wikman, G. and Sarris, J (2010) 'Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy', Phytomedicine, 17(7), pp. 481-493. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.002 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2010.02.002 - Tinsley, G.M., Jagim, A.R., Potter, G.D.M., Garner, D. and Galpin, A.J (2023) 'Rhodiola rosea as an adaptogen to enhance exercise performance: a review of the literature', The British Journal of Nutrition, 131(3), pp. 461-473. doi:10.1017/S0007114523001988 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114523001988 - Cropley, M., Banks, A.P. and Boyle, J (2015) 'The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms', Phytotherapy Research, 29(12), pp. 1934-1939. doi:10.1002/ptr.5486 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5486 - Amsterdam, J.D. and Panossian, A.G (2016) 'Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant', Phytomedicine, 23(7), pp. 770-783. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.009 - Olsson, E.M., von Scheele, B. and Panossian, A.G (2009) 'A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract SHR-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue', Planta Medica, 75(2), pp. 105-112. doi:10.1055/s-0028-1088346 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028-1088346 - Ishaque, S., Shamseer, L., Bukutu, C. and Vohra, S (2012) 'Rhodiola rosea for physical and mental fatigue: a systematic review', BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 12, pp. 70. doi:10.1186/1472-6882-12-70 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-12-70 - Borgonetti, V., Governa, P., Biagi, M., Dalia, P. and Corsi, L (2019) 'Rhodiola rosea L. modulates inflammatory processes in a CRH-activated BV2 cell model', Phytomedicine, 68, pp. 153143. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153143 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2019.153143 - Coors, A., Brosch, M., Kahl, E., Khalil, R. and others (2019) 'Rhodiola rosea root extract has antipsychotic-like effects in rodent models of sensorimotor gating', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 235, pp. 320-328. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.031 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2019.02.031 - Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (2010) 'Rhodiola rosea: A High Value Crop (Agdex 188/20-2)'. Available at: https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex13054/$file/188_20-2.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex13054/$file/188_20-2.pdf - International Society for Horticultural Science 'Harvest time and drying temperature effect on secondary metabolites in Rhodiola rosea', Acta Horticulturae, (955), pp. 245--250. Available at: https://ishs.org/ishs-article/955_35/ Preclinical
https://ishs.org/ishs-article/955_35/ - Darbinyan, V. et al (2000) 'Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue — a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5', 7(5), pp. 365--371. Randomized trial
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rhodiola%20rosea%20in%20stress%20induced%20fatigue%20%E2%80%94%20a%20double%20blind%20cross-over%20study%20of%20a%20standardized%20extract%20SHR-5 - Kelly, G.S (2001) 'Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen', 6(3), pp. 293--302. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Rhodiola%20rosea%3A%20a%20possible%20plant%20adaptogen - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Maniscalco, I., Toffol, E., Giupponi, G. and Conca, A (2014) 'The interaction of Rhodiola rosea and antidepressants. A case report', Neuropsychiatrie, 29(1), pp. 36-38. doi:10.1007/s40211-014-0124-8 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40211-014-0124-8 - van Diermen, D., Marston, A., Bravo, J., Reist, M., Carrupt, P.A. and Hostettmann, K (2009) 'Monoamine oxidase inhibition by Rhodiola rosea L. roots', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 122(2), pp. 397-401. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.007 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.007 - Panossian, A.G (2013) 'Adaptogens in mental and behavioral disorders', Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 36(1), pp. 49-64. doi:10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.005 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psc.2012.12.005 - Karosanidze, I., Kiladze, U., Kirtadze, N., Giorgadze, M. and Panossian, A (2022) 'Efficacy of Adaptogens in Patients with Long COVID-19: A Randomized, Quadruple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial', Pharmaceuticals, 15(3), pp. 345. doi:10.3390/ph15030345 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15030345
Selected studies & references
ReviewRhodiola rosea as an adaptogen to enhance exercise performance: a review of the literature source↗ (2023)
ReviewThe Effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. Preparations in Alleviating Various Aspects of Life-Stress Symptoms and Stress-Induced Conditions - Encouraging Clinical Evidence source↗ (2022)
RctEfficacy of Adaptogens in Patients with Long COVID-19: A Randomized, Quadruple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial source↗ (2022)
RctThe Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms source↗ (2015)
All 17 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.