There is no real research to support how additional ingredients enhance rhodiola rosea’s properties or improve rhodiola’s benefits, so be wary of manufacturer claims and aim for a pure and simple supplement with only rhodiola rosea extract. Gao, X. F., Shi, H. M., Sun, T., and Ao, H. Effects of Radix et Rhizoma Rhodiolae Kirilowii on expressions of von Willebrand factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in myocardium of rats with acute myocardial infarction. Zhong.Xi.Yi.Jie.He.Xue.Bao. 2009;7(5):434-440. View abstract.

Panossian, A., Nikoyan, N., Ohanyan, N., Hovhannisyan, A., Abrahamyan, H., Gabrielyan, E., and Wikman, G. Comparative study of Rhodiola preparations on behavioral despair of rats. Phytomedicine. 2008;15(1-2):84-91. View abstract. Become a savvy supplement shopper. Learn how to spot the hidden signs of low-quality products and save money by avoiding ineffective supplements. Udintsev SN, Shakhov VP. [Changes in clonogenic properties of bone marrow and transplantable mice tumor cells during combined use of cyclophosphane and biological response modifiers of adaptogenic origin]. Eksp Onko 1990;12:55-6. View abstract. And some people may find rhodiola rosea over-stimulating or all together ineffective. So always start slow and easy, paying close to attention to how your body responds. For larger doses, or for taking rhodiola to treat depression or anxiety, or for improving your athletic performance, I strongly recommend taking rhodiola rosea under supervision of a professional familiar with your condition. Rhodiola rosea toxicity is very low, but you should always exercise caution and restraint when taking a new herbal remedy. Only Take the Right Rhodiola Li, T. and Zhang, H. Identification and comparative determination of rhodionin in traditional tibetan medicinal plants of fourteen Rhodiola species by high-performance liquid chromatography-photodiode array detection and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry. Chem.Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2008;56(6):807-814. View abstract.

Zuo, G., Li, Z., Chen, L., and Xu, X. Activity of compounds from Chinese herbal medicine Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel) Maxim against HCV NS3 serine protease. Antiviral Res 2007;76(1):86-92. View abstract. Chen, C. H., Chan, H. C., Chu, Y. T., Ho, H. Y., Chen, P. Y., Lee, T. H., and Lee, C. K. Antioxidant activity of some plant extracts towards xanthine oxidase, lipoxygenase and tyrosinase. Molecules. 2009;14(8):2947-2958. View abstract. Blomkvist, J., Taube, A., and Larhammar, D. Perspective on Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea) studies. Planta Med 2009;75(11):1187-1190. View abstract. Kormosh, N., Laktionov, K., and Antoshechkina, M. Effect of a combination of extract from several plants on cell-mediated and humoral immunity of patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Phytother Res 2006;20(5):424-425. View abstract. Fatigue Symptoms - Siegfried Kasper, Angelika Dienel Multicenter, open-label, exploratory clinical trial with Rhodiola rosea extract in patients suffering from burnout symptoms Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. (2017 Mar 22)

Hu, X., Lin, S., Yu, D., Qiu, S., Zhang, X., and Mei, R. A preliminary study: the anti-proliferation effect of salidroside on different human cancer cell lines. Cell Biol Toxicol. 2010;26(6):499-507. View abstract. Maimeskulova, L. A. and Maslov, L. N. [The anti-arrhythmia action of an extract of Rhodiola rosea and of n-tyrosol in models of experimental arrhythmias]. Eksp.Klin.Farmakol. 1998;61(2):37-40. View abstract. Qin, Y. J., Zeng, Y. S., Zhou, C. C., Li, Y., and Zhong, Z. Q. [Effects of Rhodiola rosea on level of 5-hydroxytryptamine, cell proliferation and differentiation, and number of neuron in cerebral hippocampus of rats with depression induced by chronic mild stress]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2008;33(23):2842-2846. View abstract.

Gupta, A., Kumar, R., Upadhyay, N. K., Pal, K., Kumar, R., and Sawhney, R. C. Effects of Rhodiola imbricata on dermal wound healing. Planta Med 2007;73(8):774-777. View abstract. Acute usage of rhodiola for fatigue and anti-stress has been noted to be taken in the 288-680 mg range. Udintsev SN, Krylova SG, Fomina TI. [The enhancement of the efficacy of adriamycin by using hepatoprotectors of plant origin in metastases of Ehrlich's adenocarcinoma to the liver in mice]. Vopr Onkol 1992;38:1217-22. View abstract. Zhang ZJ, Tong Y, Zou J, et al. Dietary supplement with a combination of Rhodiola crenulata and Ginkgo biloba enhances the endurance performance in healthy volunteers. Chin J Integr Med 2009;15:177-83. View abstract.

While a couple of studies indicate a 200 mg dose increases performance on memory exercises for four hours, most studies suggest you need to take around 300 to 400 mg for 4 to 6 weeks before you experience a tangible difference in mental performance. Zhang, S., Liu, C., Bi, H., and Wang, C. Extraction of flavonoids from Rhodiola sachlinesis A. Bor by UPE and the antioxidant activity of its extract. Nat.Prod.Res 1-20-2008;22(2):178-187. View abstract. Jay D Amsterdam, Alexander G Panossian Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant Phytomedicine. (2016 Jun 15)Cao, L. L., Du, G. H., and Wang, M. W. The effect of salidroside on cell damage induced by glutamate and intracellular free calcium in PC12 cells. J Asian Nat Prod Res 2006;8(1-2):159-165. View abstract. So you would slowly work up to about 400 mg a day in 100 mg increments, with doses split between 30 minutes before breakfast and 30 minutes before lunch. Then for one day, test your ability to tolerate a single 300 mg dose before breakfast. Take this larger dose at least 2 hours away from any other stimulant. Li T, Xu L, Sun C. Pharmacological studies on the sedative and hypnotic effect of salidroside from the Chinese medicinal plant Rhodiola sachalinensis. Phytomedicine 2007;14:601-4. View abstract.