Rhodiola: the Arctic adaptogen

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, May, 2005 by Michelle Morgan, Kerry Bone

General Information

Rhodiola rosea (Sedum roseum) is found in Arctic regions including Alaska, northeastern Siberia and northern parts of Europe. The botanical name alludes to the rose-like odor of the rootstock when freshly cut. The use of Rhodiola in the orthodox medicine of the former USSR goes back to a number of pharmacological and clinical investigations in the early 1960s. Rhodiola preparations became incorporated into the official medicine by 1969 and are described in the last official USSR Pharmacopoeia and the current Russian Pharmacopoeia. Other common names include golden root, rose root, Arctic root and Russian Rhodiola.

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Clinical Summary

Actions

Adaptogen, tonic, antitumour, hepatoprotective, hepatotrophorestorative.

Therapeutic Indications

* Fatigue, mental and/or physical exhaustion.

* To improve mental performance, concentration and memory, especially when under stress.

* To enhance physical performance and endurance.

* May assist sexual function in men.

* Adjuvant treatment of cancer.

Dosage & Administration

Typical doses are 150 to 600 mg/day of extract corresponding to 6 to 12 g of original root, ideally standardized to 2% rosavins (6 to 12 mg/day) and 3% salidroside (9 to 18 mg/day).

Suggested Combinations

Rhodiola combines well with other adaptogens and tonics (in appropriate dosages): Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Withania somnifera, Astragalus membranaceus, shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) and damiana (Turnera diffusa). It also would combine well with cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa) and pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) for the adjuvant treatment of cancer, and with hepatoprotective and hepatotrophorestorative herbs (Schisandra chinensis, milk thistle (Silybum marianum)).

Adverse Reactions

Very few side effects have been reported. A small clinical study found an increase in symptoms in a subgroup of depressed patients with hysteric and phobic symptoms.

Contraindications & Cautions

Caution is advised in depressed patients with hysteric and phobic symptoms, such as might occur with bipolar disorder. As with all strong adaptogenic and tonic herbs, concurrent use with stimulants such as caffeine is best avoided.

Traditional Uses

The root of Rhodiola has been used in the traditional medicine of many countries including Russia, Scandinavia and Middle Asia. Rhodiola was regarded as a tonic and stimulant and used to increase physical endurance, attention span, memory and work productivity and resistance to high altitude sickness. Other uses include treating fatigue, depression, anaemia, impotence, infections (including colds and influenza), cancer, nervous system disorders and headache; for longevity and to enhance fertility. (1-3) Rhodiola rosea root was used as a food, for example in Siberia, Greenland and Alaska, but not in Norway--perhaps because of the sharper taste of plant from that location. The root has been used to flavour beer in Norway, and a decoction of the root was used as a shampoo, to promote hair growth, prevent hair loss, and for treatment of dandruff. (4)

Scientific Studies

Constituents

Phenylpropanoids such as rosavin, rosarin and rosin are typical components of Rhodiola rosea root. Other constituents include salidroside (a hydroxyphenethyl (tyrosol) glucoside) and the monoterpene rosiridin. Salidroside is present in a variety of species, including some outside the Rhodiola genus. The term rosavins is used collectively for rosavin, rosin and rosarin. Because of the occurrence of salidroside in other species, Rhodiola extracts are best standardized for both rosavins and salidroside. The naturally occurring ratio of rosavins to salidroside in the authentic root is approximately 3:1. Other species containing salidroside but not rosavins have been substituted for R. rosea. Analysis of commercial samples of Rhodiola available in the United States in 2000 found that although all of the samples contained R. rosea extracts, the amounts of phenylpropanoid constituents were lower than in the reference plant material, suggesting admixture with other species. The daily dose of phenylpropanoid constituents varied widely from 0.78 to 6.87 mg, based on the manufacturers' recommended tablet dosage. (1,2) Russian experience in the 1980s found that products manufactured with Rhodiola root not containing rosavins were therapeutically inferior. (5)

Other constituents of Rhodiola root include flavonoids, tannins and an essential oil. (In comparison with some other medicinal roots, Rhodiola root contains a low content of essential oil.) In terms of the characteristic rose fragrance of the root, several compounds with a rose odor and other floral notes have been identified from specimens grown in Norway. Geraniol was found to be the main rose-like odor compound, which is one of the most abundant monoterpene alcohols in the essential oil from roses. (6)

Adaptogenic & Tonic Activity

Following extensive pharmacological investigations of a range of plants, Russian scientists proposed Rhodiola as an adaptogenic herb in 1968. Results established that administration of Rhodiola rosea, Panax ginseng, Eleutherococcus senticosus and Raponticum carthamoides contributed to a more sparing use of carbohydrates and to an enhanced resynthesis of glycogen and high-energy phosphorus compounds. This action was demonstrated unequivocally when under physical strain. Results also indicated an anabolic action which was demonstrated only in the presence of an appropriate test setting, and contrary to steroid anabolic agents, was not accompanied by virilization. The adaptogenic activity became apparent when the resistance of the organism was diminished or the organism was placed under stress. (7)