Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb that may have beneficial effects at treating mood disorders. Standardised extracts of Rhodiola root have been investigated for their mood elevating effects in a number of studies. These effects may come in part from the ability of the herb to improve mental stress and reduce mental fatigue. For example, in one study, researchers administered rhodiola root, as a standardised extract called SHR-5, to a number of subjects who were suffering from mental fatigue. The rhodiola extract was effective at significantly improving the mental state of the subjects. The subject reported improvements in mental fatigue (burnout), general mental health and attention. The researchers noted that the subjects in the treatment group also has significant reductions in cortisol levels. Therefore rhodiola root appears to be beneficial at reducing mental fatigue and lowering cortisol levels. These effects may explain its benefits as a mood elevating herb.
Rhodiola rosea contains a unique phytochemical profile that may explain its effects on mood and mental health. About 140 different chemicals are known to be present in rhodiola including monoterpene alcohols and their glycosides, cyanogenic glycosides, aryl glycosides, phenylethanoids, phenylpropanoids and their glycosides, flavonoids, flavonlignans, proanthocyanidins and gallic acid derivatives. The active ingredients of rhodiola may be a group of chemicals called rosavins, which are a group of a cinnamyl alcohol glycosides. Some of the compounds within rhodiola interact with the central nervous system in various ways and this produces effects within the brain. In particular, rhodiola appears to show beneficial effects at reducing mild to moderate depression and anxiety in humans. Image is Rhodiola rosea. Image from: By Opioła Jerzy – Own work, CC BY 2.5, https:/ /commons.wikimedia.org/ w/ index.php?curid=1035785.
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