Rhodiola rosea is an herb that grows in the mountains of Europe and Asia. Its roots are often used as a dietary supplement, most commonly in powdered or encapsulated form. Rhodiola rosea is frequently referred to as an adaptogen, a term for compounds that help prevent physical and chemical effects of stress. More research is needed to confirm rhodiola rosea’s effectiveness. However, some studies have shown that it may help the body adapt and deal with symptoms related to stress (1) (2).
Additionally, rhodiola rosea may help stave off fatigue, particularly when taken at a low daily dose over an extended period of time (3). A popular ingredient in Chinese traditional medicine, rhodiola rosea is widely available today. We took a look at some of the best rhodiola supplements on the market and gave our picks.
Editors’ Choice:
Nutra Champs Rhodiola Rosea
Pros:
- Nutra Champs utilizes Siberian herbs grown in the Arctic Mountains. The rhodiola rosea in their capsules is standardized to 3% rosavin and 1% salidroside, the industry standard used by many rhodiola purveyors.
- Containing zero artificial ingredients, Nutra Champs’ product is non-GMO certified and vegan friendly.
- Manufacturer partners with non-profit Vitamin Angels, an organization that offers nutrients to a child or mother in need.
Cons:
- On a cost per serving basis, Nutra Champs rhodiola offering is a bit more expensive than some of its competitors.
Made from Siberian herbs grown in the Arctic mountains, Nutra Champs Rhodiola Rosea is a solid source of this unique supplement. Featuring a serving size of 600mg per two capsules, this vegan-friendly adaptogen is a solid option.
Best Powder:
Micro Ingredients Pure Organic Rhodiola Rosea
Pros:
- Micro Ingredients Pure Organic Rhodiola Rosea is made without any artificial colors, flavors, fillers, or gluten.
- Comes in a resealable bag with a scooper to make doling it out easier.
- Each scoop of Micro Ingredients rhodiola rosea contains 400mg of the arctic herb, standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.
- Price-wise, this is among the most cost-friendly rhodiola supplements on the market.
Cons:
- Folks who are constantly taking their vitamins and supplements on the go may not want to deal with mixing up a powder every morning.
- You may want to mix it with something to mask the bitter taste.
For those who prefer to get their supplements via powder instead of capsule, check out this offering from Micro Ingredients. Featuring nothing but organic rhodiola rosea powder, standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside, this filler-free powder may be great for folks who prefer drinking their vitamins down.
Best Liquid:
Herb Pharm Certified Organic Rhodiola
Pros:
- Herb Pharm Certified Organic Rhodiola Extract is made from dried rhodiola roots.
- Each dropper-sized serving contains 685mg of rhodiola extract.
- Competitively priced.
- Non-GMO and vegan friendly.
Cons:
- Because it’s an extract, this tincture contains organic cane alcohol and vegetable glycerin.
- It can be a bit difficult to measure exactly how much rhodiola you’re getting in each dose, as droppers are not always the most precise.
If capsules and powders are not for you, consider this vial of organic rhodiola from Herb Pharm. One full squeeze from the dropper contains close to 700mg of rhodiola rosea.
High Potency:
aSquared Nutrition Pure Rhodiola Rosea
Pros:
- Each two capsule serving of aSquared Nutrition’s rhodiola rosea contains 1,000mg of rhodiola.
- Vegan friendly capsules are made with a non-GMO formula, void of any preservatives.
- Very competitively priced.
Cons:
- No information about the rhodiola formula standardizing the amounts of rosavins and salidroside.
Folks looking for a high dosage of rhodiola rosea may want to consider this option from aSquared Nutrition. With each two capsule serving containing 1,000mg of rhodiola, this is one of the more concentrated dosages on the market.
Also Consider:
NOW Foods Rhodiola
Pros:
- Each capsule of NOW Foods Rhodiola contains 500mg of rhodiola rosea, featuring 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.
- Capsules are formulated using vegetarian-friendly sources, making them vegan-friendly.
- Very competitively priced.
Cons:
- Dosage is a bit low on a per capsule basis compared to some of the other brands out there.
Checking in with a straightforward dose of rhodiola rosea at a reasonable price are the good folks from NOW Foods. Each of their vegetarian-friendly capsules contains 500mg of rhodiola rosea, standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.
Methodology
Rhodiola rosea is a unique compound that many folks turn to as an adaptogen in an attempt to combat stress and fatigue. More research is needed to ascertain its true effectiveness, and folks struggling with anxiety or chronic fatigue should consult a medical professional. However, if rhodiola rosea is right for you, there are a few features to consider before clicking purchase.
Purity
While independent third party testing for most rhodiola supplements is not widely available, it’s still important to examine the label and know what’s inside each bottle. In general, it’s wise to avoid brands that augment their supplements with a lot of artificial ingredients and preservatives.
Form
This comes down to personal preference. While some folks find it most convenient to choke down a few capsules, others prefer to take their medicine in liquid form, or form a powder mixed into a liquid.
Dosage
Although there’s not necessarily a widely accepted standard for rhodiola doses, most of the studies testing rhodiola’s effectiveness featured daily doses in the 400-600mg range (2). Take a peek at the suggested serving to see how much each brand offers per serving.
Cost
To get a sense for the overall value of each product, divide the total cost by the amount of servings listed on the package. Note however, that individual dosages may alter this number.
FAQs
What does rhodiola do for the body?
Rhodiola is commonly used to help the body more readily adapt to stress and battle fatigue. Although more research is needed to make any ironclad claims about its efficacy, some studies to support its usefulness.
Will rhodiola help me lose weight?
Rhodiola on its own is not intended to serve as a weight loss supplement. However, its ability to limit the body’s response to stress and fatigue, combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, may have some positive effects on weight management for some.
How long does it take rhodiola to start working?
Most studies conducted on rhodiola’s impact are conducted over the course of several weeks. While it’s unclear exactly how long it will take to start working, it’s probably wise to take it regularly for at least a month before making any bold assertions about its effectiveness, or lack thereof.
BarBend Tips
- Try to take rhodiola at the same time everyday. It’s hard to know how well this type of supplement is working if it’s not being taken regularly.
- If stress and fatigue are consistent issues, please consult a medical professional.
References
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Kasper S, Dienel A. Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial with <em>Rhodiola rosea</em> extract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2017;Volume 13:889-898.
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Edwards D, Heufelder A, Zimmermann A. Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms–results of an open-label study. Phytotherapy research : PTR. 2012;26(8):1220-1225.
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Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, Gabrielian E, Wikman G, Wagner H. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue–a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. 2000;7(5):365-371.