Remedy · herb
Rhodiola
Also: Rhodiola rosea, golden root, arctic root
An adaptogenic root with modest, low-certainty evidence for mild depression and fatigue.
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Rhodiola and that condition specifically.
- CDepression
Small RCTs suggest benefit in mild-to-moderate depression and it is better tolerated than sertraline, but the head-to-head trial did not clearly beat placebo and overall quality is low.
2 citation s
- Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Randomized trial 2015 · n=57 · Phytomedicine · PMID 25837277 · DOI 10.1016/j.phymed.2015.01.010
- Clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea L. extract SHR-5 in the treatment of mild to moderate depression Randomized trial 2007 · n=89 · Nordic Journal of Psychiatry · PMID 17990195 · DOI 10.1080/08039480701643290
- Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial
Rhodiola is a popular adaptogen with a genuine but modest signal for mild depression and stress-related fatigue; the trials are small and low-quality, so it is reasonable as a gentle option rather than a proven treatment. (It is also studied for fatigue, with mixed results.)