Rhodiola rosea, also known as Arctic root or golden root, is a plant known for its adaptogenic properties, meaning it can help the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stressors¹. The bioactive components of Rhodiola rosea, such as salidroside and rosavin, contribute to its effects:

1. Stress Reduction: Rhodiola rosea is particularly recognized for its ability to combat stress, improve mood, and reduce symptoms of fatigue, thereby enhancing overall resilience¹.

2. Exercise Performance: Some studies have shown that Rhodiola rosea can enhance exercise performance by prolonging time-to-exhaustion and improving time trial performance. This is attributed to its potential impact on reducing fatigue, muscle damage, and altering antioxidant activity¹.

3. Anti-aging and Immunostimulating Properties: Rhodiola rosea is suggested to have anti-aging properties and may act as an immunostimulant, which has implications for cancer chemoprevention².

While research supports some of Rhodiola rosea's benefits in various contexts, the results can vary depending on the dosage, concentration of bioactive compounds, and specific conditions of supplementation¹.

Footnotes

1. Grant M. Tinsley, "Rhodiola rosea as an adaptogen to enhance exercise performance: a review of the literature," PubMed Central, 2023. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

2. Yonghong Li, "Rhodiola rosea L.: an herb with anti-stress, anti-aging, and immunostimulating properties for cancer chemoprevention," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩

Rhodiola rosea is generally considered safe for most people, but like any supplement, it can have some side effects. Reported side effects include:

1. Dizziness: Some individuals may experience lightheadedness or dizziness.

2. Dry Mouth: A dry mouth sensation can occur in some users.

3. Restlessness or Insomnia: Due to its adaptogenic properties, taking Rhodiola rosea could cause restlessness or interfere with sleep if consumed late in the day.

4. Increased Blood Pressure: While uncommon, there is a potential risk of increased blood pressure.

5. Headache: Mild headaches can sometimes occur.

As with any supplement, it's advisable for individuals to consult a healthcare provider before starting Rhodiola rosea, especially if they have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.