Evidence supporting the use of: Rhodiola (unspecified)
For the health condition: Depression
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Rhodiola rosea, commonly known as Rhodiola, has been traditionally used in Eastern European and Asian medicine to combat fatigue and improve mood. More recently, scientific studies have investigated its potential as an adaptogen to support mood disorders, including depression. Several randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have provided preliminary evidence suggesting that Rhodiola extracts may reduce symptoms of mild to moderate depression. For instance, a 2015 double-blind study published in Phytomedicine found that Rhodiola was more effective than placebo and somewhat less effective but better tolerated than sertraline, a conventional antidepressant.
The proposed mechanism includes modulation of neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, as well as reduction of stress-related cortisol levels. However, most studies to date have used relatively small sample sizes, short durations, and varied Rhodiola extracts, leading to heterogeneity in results and limitations in drawing firm conclusions.
While there is historical use and some scientific support for Rhodiola’s antidepressant effects, the quality and quantity of evidence are not sufficient to recommend it as a first-line treatment for depression. More large-scale, well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine its efficacy and safety profile more precisely.
Other ingredients used for Depression
5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)Acetyl L-carnitine
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
waterhyssop
basil
bergamot
beta caryophyllene
bifidobacterium longum
black tea
Indian frankincense
bасора
caffeine
cannabis sativa oil
chamomile
Chinese salvia root
choline
citicoline
clove
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
turmeric
curcumin
damiana
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
folate
gardenia
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gotu kola
greek mountain tea
green tea
hemp oil
Indian tinospora
inositol
jujube
krill oil
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
L-carnosine
L-glycine
L-methionine
L-phenylalanine
L-theanine
L-tryptophan
l-tyrosine
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
lion's mane
lithium orotate
liquid liver fractions
luteolin
maca
mackerel
magnesium
magnolia
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
muira puama
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
phenolic compounds
phosphatidylserine
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
polygala root
pomegranate
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
pregnenolone
protein
butyric acid
quercetin
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhodiola
rose oil
rosemary
saffron
sage
SAMe (s-adenosyl-l-methionine disulfate p-toluensulfate)
sardines
sceletium
selenium
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spirulina
tongkat ali
Almond fruit
valerian root
velvet bean
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
whey protein
zinc
suma
gastrodia
mugwort
alpinia galangal
commiphora
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
peony
lingzhi
lemongrass
kanna
cistanche
dodder
morinda
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
St. John's Wort
yerba mate
hypothalamus
cocoa
thyroid substance
star of Bethlehem
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
7,8-Dihydroxyflavone
Arginine Creatine
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Albizia
Agmatine
Agarwood
Alpha lactalbumin
Asteracea
Algal protein
Aniracetam
Amor seco
Betony
Baikal Skullcap
Broussonetia
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Biopterin
Butea monosperma
Beef liver
Bacopin
Brahmi
Bacopa
Bee products
bacoside
Baicalin
Black Hellebore
Biogenic amine
Camellia sinensis
Coconut
Caryophyllene
Monkey Flower
Crocin
Clary sage
Catalpol
Codonopsis
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Chinese Raisintree
Curcumen
Cymbopogon Martini
Centella asiatica
Chocolate
Creatine
Curcuma
Cowslip
Cannabidiol
Convolvulus prostratus
Convolvulus Pluricaulis
cola nut
Canscora
Cannabichromene
Docosahexaenoic Acid
D-phenylalanine
DHEA
Devil's Club
Dopamine
Egg
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Estrogen
Folinic Acid
Folic Acid
Flavonoids
Fragrant Rosewood
Fish
Fatty acids
Fungus
Frankincense
Guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Griffonia simplicifolia
Gypenoside
Growth factors
Glutamate
Glycine
Gastrodin
Honokiol
Hypericin
Hellebore
Hypericum
hyperforin
Helicteres isora
Hericium mushroom
Hemp
isoliquiritigenin
Long Pepper
icariin
Indian Fagonia
Inositol phosphate
jasmine
Jatamansi
Kokilaksha
lemon balm
Lebbek
Ligustilides
Limonene
Lavandin
Lycopodium
Large-Leaved Linden
Little ironweed
Lactalbumin
Lactoglobulin
Linalool
Lipids
Methylcobalamin
Marine Protein
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Mimosa
Meadow sage
Marine fat
Magnolol
Mulungu
Mesembrine
Nardostachys
Nigella Seed
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
Oxindole alkaloids
Osthole
Phosphocreatine
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone
Phenylethylamine (PEA)
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
Polyunsaturated Fat
Piper nigrum
Polygonatum
Paeoniflorin
Physalis angulata
Poly-thyronine
Phytoestrogens
Polygala
Petiveria
Purple Monkeyflower
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Rue
Rosavins
Rosabin
Rosmarinic Acid
Rubiaceae
Rose
Sichuan Lovage
Schizochytrium Oil
Sete sangrias
Spikenard
Scleranthus annus
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Sulbutiamine
Shellfish
Salmon Oil
Salidroside
Safed musli
Shankhpushpi
Sandalwood
Stereospermum
Shilajit
Saffranal
Sarcosine
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terpenoids
Tea
Thymoquinone
Tumerone
Trichilia catigua
Tetrahydropalmatine
Uncaria
Uridine
Vetiver
Vervain
Withanolides
Wogonin
Wulinshen
walnut
Xanthophyll
Xylaria nigripes
Yuzu
Yerba buena
yohimbine
Ylang ylang
Zucchini
Zingiberene
Other health conditions supported by Rhodiola (unspecified)
Adrenal FatigueAnxiety
Anxiety Disorders
Athletic and Exercise Aids
Concentration (poor)
Depression
Energy (lack of)
Fatigue
Memory and Brain Function
Mood Swings
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Stress