Rhodiola rosea and the Treatment of Stress-Related Fatigue

Introduction:

While conversing with a friend recently on a walk to Starbucks, we noted how wonderful it would be if the American society would embrace the after-lunch siesta other cultures enjoy. However, I doubt this trend is likely to occur any time soon. As much as I would enjoy a siesta around 2PM, I would gain the equivalent amount of happiness by checking-off three things from my to-do list. Hence, the prevalence of stress-related fatigue in the Western world. Instead of taking a siesta this afternoon, I researched the efficacy of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of patients suffering from stress-related fatigue.

Little did I know, feeling "burnt-out" is not just a saying, but the term for a condition known as "burnout-syndrome". There is also "fatigue syndrome" which can be diagnosed with the ICD code of F43.8 ("Other reactions to severe stress"). The symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to, continuous physical weakness, mild to moderate depression, lack of motivation and drive, poor concentration and decreased mental performance, difficulty sleeping, etc. Rhodiola rosea is a perennial plant which has been well researched for its effectiveness in increasing mental performance and decreasing stress, anxiety, and fatigue.

Summary of the Evidence:


In the study I deemed to be the most relevant to my question and maintained the highest quality, it was concluded that repeated administration of R. rosea extract SHR-5 has an anti-fatigue effect that also increases mental performance by increasing the ability to concentrate, and it decreases cortisol release due to the stress from awakening. (Waking is a stressor to our bodies, and the natural physiological response is to release cortisol to cope with the stress--the highest levels of cortisol in the human body are in the morning for this reason) In the study, the daily intake of R. rosea extract SHR-5 over a 28-day period was compared to a placebo group to determine if positive effects on attention, quality of life, fatigue, and depression would occur in patients with stress-related fatigue. The treatment group took 4 tablets a day that contained 144 mg of Rhodiola extract SHR-5, two tablets in the morning, and two tablets with lunch. It was found that repeated treatment with the extract does have a positive effect on fatigue level, attention, and saliva cortisol response to "awakening stress". In other studies in which only one dose of R. rosea extract was given, fewer errors were made than in the placebo group when asked to recall text from a paragraph. Healthy cadets given 2 to 3 capsules of the extract showed significantly less fatigue symptoms. The research is amazingly substantial.

Personal Thoughts:


After critiquing a minimum of the numerous amounts of research for R. rosea, I am confident that introducing the supplement as an intervention to stress and fatigue is justifiable and economically practical. There was no reported side-effects in the research I read and clinically significant positive results were measured using valid and reliable outcome measures. I am not encouraging anyone to consume a bottle of the extract, and hope that individuals wanting to use the supplement will talk to a health care provider first. But overall, I see a lot of promise in this mundane looking plant!

Reference:
Olsson, E. M. G., et. al. "A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Conrolled, Parallel-Group Study of the Standardised Extract SHR-5 of the Roots of Rhodiola rosea in the Treatment of Subjects with Stress-Related Fatigue" (See references [19], [20], [21])