The effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on anxiety, stress, cognition and other mood symptoms

Cropley M, Banks AP, Boyle J

Published in Phytotherapy Research, Vol. 29, pp. 1934-1939

Methodology

Randomised open trial in 80 mildly anxious adults comparing 2 x 200 mg/day R. rosea extract (Vitano) with a no-treatment control over 14 days, using self-report mood measures and cognitive tests.

Key Findings

Relative to controls, the extract group showed significant reductions in self-reported anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and improved total mood, with no differences in cognitive performance.

Conclusions

R. rosea extract may reduce self-reported stress and mood symptoms, but the absence of a placebo control prevents a causal conclusion.

Limitations

No placebo control (untreated comparator), self-report outcomes, very short 14-day duration.

Supplements Studied

Rhodiola Rosea

Herb

Relative to the controls, the experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days.

Outcomes Measured

Mood Stabilization

The experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days and a significant improvement in total mood.

Mental Clarity

No relevant differences in cognitive performance between the groups were observed.

Stress Resilience

Relative to the controls, the experimental group demonstrated a significant reduction in self-reported, anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression at 14 days.