Rhodiola Rosea for Seasonal Mood Support
Rhodiola may lift fatigue-dominant low mood but the trials are small.
Overview
Verdict
How It Works
Dosing & Protocol
Typical dose
- Recommended dose
- 200-400mg/day standardised extract
- Expected timeframe
- 4-6 weeks
Protocol
- form
- Rhodiola rosea root extract standardised to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside
- duration
- Not applicable
- co factor
- Evidence is insufficient. No randomised trial has examined rhodiola for seasonal affective disorder or winter low mood. The adjacent evidence is a small trial in mild to moderate unipolar depression at 340-680 mg/day showing modest improvement over placebo, a head-to-head comparison in which sertraline was more effective but less well tolerated, and trials in stress-related fatigue showing reduced exhaustion. Whether any of this transfers to a condition with a distinct circadian and light-dependent mechanism is unknown. Rhodiola is also activating, and seasonal depression frequently features hypersomnia rather than insomnia, which cuts both ways.
- titration
- Not applicable
- starting dose
- Not established for this outcome. No trial has tested rhodiola in seasonal affective disorder
Evidence
What the studies say
No studies are yet linked to both Rhodiola Rosea and Seasonal Mood Support.
Safety
Caveats
Can be stimulating; take in the morning. Caution in bipolar disorder.
Less likely to help if
Medical Disclaimer
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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.