Evidence supporting the use of: Rhodiola
For the health condition: Angina

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) has a history of traditional use in several systems of medicine, particularly in Russia and Scandinavia, where it was used as an adaptogen and for supporting cardiovascular health, including conditions like angina pectoris. In traditional medicine, it was thought to improve oxygen utilization, reduce fatigue, and enhance endurance, which could be indirectly relevant to angina, a condition characterized by chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart. Some early Soviet-era literature and herbal texts reference its use to improve cardiac function and reduce the frequency of angina attacks, often in combination with other herbs.

However, scientific validation for Rhodiola’s efficacy in treating angina specifically is limited. A few small clinical studies and animal experiments, mostly from Russia and China, have suggested potential cardioprotective effects, such as reducing myocardial damage during ischemia and improving exercise tolerance. These studies propose mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, reduced catecholamine release, and improved cellular energy metabolism. Nevertheless, these findings are preliminary, often with methodological limitations and small sample sizes. No large, high-quality randomized controlled trials have firmly established Rhodiola’s benefit for angina in humans. Therefore, while there is a basis for its use rooted in tradition and some supportive preclinical data, the evidence is not robust according to modern scientific standards.

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