Rhodiola

About Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, roseroot or arctic root, is a flowering plant of the stonecrop family that grows in cold regions of the Arctic and in mountains of Europe, Asia and North America. Its roots have a long history of use in the traditional medicine of Scandinavia, Russia and Central Asia to combat fatigue and cope with cold climates. During the twentieth century Soviet researchers studied rhodiola within the concept of adaptogens, substances proposed to increase resistance to physical and emotional stress, a term coined by the Soviet scientist Nikolai Lazarev. The main compounds of interest are the phenylpropanoid rosavins and the phenylethanoid salidroside. Rhodiola is sold as a supplement for fatigue, stress, mental performance and exercise endurance. Some small clinical trials have reported benefits for stress related fatigue, but study quality is variable and evidence remains limited and mixed. Product quality is a recognized concern, as some commercial products contain other Rhodiola species or little of the marker compounds.