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All 56 studies in the study browser
Included: human randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses on Rhodiola rosea indexed in PubMed. A PubMed search on October 15, 2026 returned 92 records. 56 remain after excluding protocols, retractions, comments and papers that did not study Rhodiola rosea as the intervention or exposure. Below are all 13 reviews and the 25 highest-scored individual studies. The study browser has the rest.
Scores run from 1 to 5 and rate study design only. The rules and reason codes are on Study Scores. Each finding restates the abstract's own conclusion.
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| Score | Study | Design, n | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (MA +large) | Wang, 2025 | Meta-analysis, 26 studies, n=668 | Subgroup analyses indicated greater VO2max improvements at doses >600 mg/day, with trained individuals exhibiting lower CK levels and more pronounced reductions in CK at early follow-up assessments (≤15 min) post-exercise. In... |
| 5 (MA +large) | Gao, 2025 | Meta-analysis, 19 studies, n=1,690 | RCE may enhance blood oxygen levels and mitigate clinical symptoms in the treatment of AHAD with favorable safety. Nonetheless, it is imperative to undertake further rigorous RCTs to validate these findings. |
| 4 (MA) | Yu, 2023 | Meta-analysis, 9 studies | Conclusion: Among the Rhodiola L. genus, this review included R. wallichiana, R. crenulata, and R. kirilowii, which might be safe and effective in COPD. Although this study has several limitations, further RCTs are needed.... |
| 4 (MA) | Todorova, 2021 | Meta-analysis | The data from the meta-analysis showed that plant adaptogens could provide a number of benefits in the treatment of chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment, and immune protection. In the future, there is great potential to register... |
| 4 (MA) | Chu, 2014 | Meta-analysis, 7 studies, n=662 | On the basis of routine treatment, Rhodiola could further improve patients' symptoms. Combined with intravenous medication, Rhodiola could increase the ECG improvement rate, and reduce adverse reactions. |
| 4 (MA) | Yu, 2014 | Meta-analysis | Rhodiola formulations may have a positive effect on treating IHD alone and in combination with RWM. However, poor quality of methodology and heterogeneity of the included trials means that larger sample size, multi-center,... |
| 4 (SR +large) | Ishaque, 2012 | Systematic review, 206 studies | Research regarding R. rosea efficacy is contradictory. While some evidence suggests that the herb may be helpful for enhancing physical performance and alleviating mental fatigue, methodological flaws limit accurate assessment of efficacy. |
| 3 (MA -nonRCT) | Sun, 2026 | Meta-analysis | SAL provides preliminary preclinical evidence of renoprotection in DN models, potentially by modulating oxidative stress and inflammation. However, interpretation is constrained by high heterogeneity and possible small-study or... |
| 3 (SR) | Gan, 2024 | Systematic review | The discussion includes the influence of molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic bonds on their biological activities, such as sulfation and carboxymethylation et al. Such analyses are crucial for deepening... |
| 3 (SR) | Lu, 2022 | Systematic review | Subjects taking RR showed a reduction in pain and muscle damage after exercise training, improved skeletal muscle damage, enhanced antioxidant capacity thereby reducing oxidative stress, reduced RPE scores, and improved athletic... |
| 3 (SR) | Hung, 2011 | Systematic review, 11 studies | R. rosea may have beneficial effects on physical performance, mental performance, and certain mental health conditions. There is, however, a lack of independent replications of the single different studies. |
| 2 (SR -few) | Łuszczak, 2026 | Systematic review, 4 studies, n=590 | Their mechanisms involve regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotransmission, immune and hormonal pathways. Further long-term, high-quality clinical trials, supplemented with molecular and systemic... |
| 2 (SR -few) | Sanz-Barrio, 2023 | Systematic review, 2 studies, n=263 | Chronic supplementation may positively impact muscle damage during exercise. However, more high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of RR. |
| Score | Study | Design, n | Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Wang, 2025 | RCT, n=48 | This study suggests that combining RHO and CAF optimizes high-intensity performance by enhancing explosive power, reducing fatigue, and improving recovery, presenting an effective nutritional strategy for volleyball athletes. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Noah, 2022 | RCT, n=49 | Mg-Teadiola is effective in managing stress in otherwise healthy individuals. Its beneficial effects on sleep and pain perception need further investigation. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Gao, 2020 | RCT, n=100 | It is concluded that the Rhodiola capsule shows anti-depressive potency in patients with depression disorder when administered in dosages of either 0.3 or 0.6 g/day over a 12-week period.Rhodiola capsule can improve the quality... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Chuang, 2015 | RCT, n=38 | Further studies with a larger patient population are needed in order to confirm these findings. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02242461. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Mao, 2015 | RCT, n=57 | Although R. rosea produced less antidepressant effect versus sertraline, it also resulted in significantly fewer adverse events and was better tolerated. These findings suggest that R. rosea, although less effective than... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Chen, 2015 | RCT, n=38 | This is the first trial using Rhodiola as a complementary therapy for COPD patients. T cells play an important role in the pathogenesis of COPD through the increased expression of CD8(+) T cells and IFN-γ and may be a viable... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Zhang, 2009 | RCT, n=35 | The combined herbal supplement of Rhodiola and Gingko could improve the endurance performance by increasing oxygen consumption and protecting against fatigue. |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Olsson, 2009 | RCT, n=30 | Pre- VERSUS post-treatment cortisol responses to awakening stress were significantly different in the treatment group compared with the control group. It is concluded that repeated administration of R. ROSEA extract SHR-5 exerts... |
| 4 (RCT +blind) | Darbinyan, 2007 | RCT, n=31 | For individuals in groups A and B, overall depression, together with insomnia, emotional instability and somatization, but not self-esteem, improved significantly following medication, whilst the placebo group did not show such... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Dai, 2026 | RCT, n=12 | Group differences were outcome-specific. The combined condition showed the highest adjusted success rate, but the data did not establish a synergistic interaction. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Dou, 2026 | RCT, n=24 | These findings suggest that, in male collegiate soccer players, CAF and RHO may contribute differently to repeated aerial duel-related performance, and their combination may offer broader sport-specific benefits under repeated... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Dou, 2026 | RCT | Match total and high-speed running distances were higher in RHO, accompanied by increases in haemoglobin and haematocrit (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Four weeks of Rhodiola rosea supplementation enhanced high-intensity intermittent... |
| 3 (RCT open) | Ye, 2025 | RCT, n=41 | Salidroside combined with pulmonary rehabilitation significantly improved clinical outcomes, oxygenation, and endothelial repair in COPD with LEDVT, likely via modulation of the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway, without increasing adverse effects. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Lara, 2025 | RCT, n=5 | These findings show that RR supplementation (1200 mg/day for 4 days) produced a reduction in the variability of accommodation and one of the assessed DES symptoms, suggesting that it could be considered as a potential strategy to... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Schwarz, 2024 | RCT | Salidroside supplementation may enhance oxygen utilization and mitigate exercise-induced muscle damage and fatigue, warranting further research on its long-term effects and potential as an adaptogen for active individuals. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Williams, 2021 | RCT, n=10 | Furthermore, GRE resulted in higher NE levels and blood lactate following exercise. Thus, supplementing with GRE may enhance explosive resistance training performance but may also impair upper body strength-endurance. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Kreipke PhD, 2021 | RCT, n=21 | Despite MIPS improving certain aspects of weekly training performance, supplementation with MIPS for 14 weeks did not improve body composition, overall training and performance outcomes, or blood biomarkers of health in response... |
| 3 (RCT open) | Yu, 2019 | RCT, n=30 | Result:There were no significant differences in SDS and SAS scores between the three groups （P>0.05）. SDS and SAS scores of patients in the rhodiola rosea+non-invasive ventilator group decreased after treatment （P<0.05） compared... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Ballmann, 2019 | RCT | Our results show that GRE supplementation enhanced anaerobic exercise performance as measured through repeated WAnTs. GRE may possess ergogenic benefits and findings hold important implications for boosting anaerobic performance... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n?) | Cropley, 2015 | RCT | Although this was a non-placebo controlled trial, it is unlikely that the findings were the result of placebo effects as changes appeared gradual and were specific to certain psychological measures. However, we cannot determine a... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Punja, 2014 | RCT, n=24 | This study indicates that among nursing students on shift work, a 42-day course of R. Rosea compared with placebo worsened fatigue; however, the results should be interpreted with caution. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Shanely, 2014 | RCT, n=24 | Myoglobin (Mb), creatine phosphokinase (CPK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Parisi, 2010 | RCT, n=14 | Chronic Rhodiola Rosea supplementation is able to reduce both lactate levels and parameters of skeletal muscle damage after an exhaustive exercise session. Moreover this supplementation seems to ameliorate fatty acid consumption. |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Skarpanska-Stejnborn, 2009 | RCT, n=11 | After supplementation, the total plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly higher (p = .0002) in the supplemented group than in the placebo group, and superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes directly after and 24 hr... |
| 3 (RCT +blind -n<30) | Schutgens, 2009 | RCT, n=10 | Furthermore, after supplementation, a significant decrease (p = 0.049) concerning the experienced level of fatigue in the Rhodiola group was observed compared with the placebo group. No significant changes were observed between... |