Evidence supporting the use of: Rhodiola
For the health condition: Anxiety Disorders

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Synopsis

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

Rhodiola rosea, an adaptogenic herb, has a long history of traditional use in Russia and Scandinavia for enhancing physical and mental endurance. Its application for anxiety disorders, however, is primarily supported by a modest body of scientific evidence rather than tradition alone. Small-scale randomized controlled trials and open-label studies have examined rhodiola’s anxiolytic effects, suggesting that it may help reduce symptoms of generalized anxiety and stress-related fatigue. Proposed mechanisms include modulation of neurotransmitter levels (such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine) and reduction of cortisol response to stress.

For example, a 2008 pilot study published in Phytomedicine found that participants with generalized anxiety disorder treated with rhodiola extract experienced statistically significant reductions in anxiety scores compared to baseline. Nonetheless, these studies often suffer from small sample sizes, lack of replication, and methodological limitations. There are few high-quality, large-scale clinical trials directly evaluating rhodiola for diagnosed anxiety disorders. Therefore, while preliminary data indicate some potential benefit, current scientific validation is limited, and rhodiola should not be considered a first-line or sole intervention for anxiety disorders. It may be used as an adjunctive therapy in consultation with a healthcare provider.

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