Evidence supporting the use of: Rhodiola sacra
For the body system: Cortisol

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Rhodiola sacra, also known as "sacred Rhodiola," is closely related to Rhodiola rosea, a well-studied adaptogenic herb. Adaptogens are substances believed to help the body resist physical, chemical, and biological stressors. The use of Rhodiola species for supporting the body's stress response—including the modulation of cortisol, a key stress hormone—has a long tradition in traditional medicine systems, especially in Russia and parts of Asia. However, the scientific validation for Rhodiola sacra specifically is limited, and much of the research is extrapolated from studies on Rhodiola rosea.

Several clinical studies (primarily on R. rosea) suggest that Rhodiola can reduce fatigue and improve stress resilience, possibly by influencing the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and normalizing cortisol levels. For example, randomized controlled trials have shown reductions in perceived stress and improvements in mood and fatigue, which are sometimes interpreted as evidence of cortisol modulation. However, direct evidence of R. sacra or even R. rosea significantly altering cortisol levels in humans is limited and somewhat inconsistent.

Thus, while there is a scientific rationale and some supporting evidence for using Rhodiola species to support the body's stress response and potentially the "cortisol body system," the strength of the evidence is moderate (rated 3/5) and mainly based on R. rosea, not R. sacra specifically.

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Products containing Rhodiola sacra

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