SyneraBotanica
Materia Medica

Crassulaceae

Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea

A stimulating Arctic adaptogen for mental fatigue, burnout and endurance — best for the tired-but-wired who need clarity without caffeine.

Also known as
Golden root, Arctic root, Roseroot
Parts used
Root, Rhizome
Taste
Bitter, Astringent
Energetics
Cooling · Drying
Sourcing
At-risk in the wild

Actions

AdaptogenAntifatigueCognitive enhancerAntidepressant (mild)Cardioprotective

Traditional use

Used by Vikings, Siberian peoples and Scandinavian herbalists to endure cold, long journeys and hard labor. Bouquets of the root were traditionally given to couples to support fertility.

Soviet researchers studied it intensively from the 1960s as an 'adaptogen' to support cosmonauts, soldiers and athletes.

Research

  • Reduces stress-related fatigue

    Clinical

    Randomized trials of the SHR-5 extract show improvements in fatigue, concentration and cortisol awakening response in burnout populations.

    Olsson EM et al. Planta Med. 2009;75(2):105–112.

  • Modulates stress mediators (Hsp70, NPY, JNK)

    Preclinical

    Proposed adaptogenic mechanism: priming of cellular stress-response proteins, extensively described by Panossian and colleagues.

Key constituents

Rosavins (rosavin, rosarin, rosin)
Cinnamyl glycosides unique to R. rosea; used as identity markers.
Salidroside
Phenylethanoid glycoside with stress-protective activity.
Tyrosol
Aglycone of salidroside; antioxidant.

Sourcing notes

Wild populations in the Altai and Alps have been heavily overharvested. Source only cultivated root verified by rosavin content.

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