This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before using herbs, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
Rhodiola kirilowii exerts adaptogenic effects primarily through its active compounds salidroside and rosavins, which modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and influence key neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These compounds help regulate the body's stress response by reducing cortisol levels and supporting cellular energy metabolism through enhanced ATP synthesis. Research suggests these mechanisms contribute to improved stress resistance, physical endurance, and oxygen utilization at high altitudes. Evidence Level: B.
Does Rhodiola kirilowii interact with any medications?
Rhodiola kirilowii may interact with several medication classes. Due to its effects on serotonin and dopamine pathways, it should be used cautiously with antidepressants, particularly MAO inhibitors and SSRIs, as combining them may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Its stimulant properties may enhance the effects of caffeine and other stimulants, potentially causing nervousness or insomnia. Individuals taking medications for bipolar disorder should avoid Rhodiola kirilowii as it may trigger manic episodes. Always consult a healthcare provider before combining with prescription medications. Evidence Level: C (theoretical interactions based on pharmacology).
What is the recommended dosage for Rhodiola kirilowii?
The typical adult dosage for Rhodiola kirilowii is 200-400mg of standardized extract daily, or 3-6 grams of dried root prepared as a decoction or tea. Standardized extracts should contain approximately 2-3% rosavins and 0.8-1% salidroside for consistent therapeutic effects. For altitude sickness prevention, supplementation should begin 1-2 weeks before ascent. Rhodiola is best taken early in the day to avoid sleep disturbances, and some practitioners recommend cycling use with periodic breaks to maintain effectiveness. Evidence Level: B.
Is Rhodiola kirilowii safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Rhodiola kirilowii is contraindicated during pregnancy and should not be used by pregnant women. The herb's active compounds, particularly salidroside, may stimulate uterine contractions and affect hormone levels, posing potential risks to fetal development. There is insufficient safety data regarding Rhodiola use during breastfeeding, so nursing mothers should also avoid this herb. Women who are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding should consult a qualified healthcare provider for safe alternatives to support stress and energy levels during this period. Evidence Level: D (expert opinion and traditional contraindication).
Can Rhodiola kirilowii help prevent altitude sickness?
Rhodiola kirilowii has been traditionally used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine to prevent and treat altitude sickness, and emerging research supports this application. The herb appears to enhance oxygen utilization and reduce hypoxia-related cellular damage through its antioxidant and adaptogenic properties. Studies suggest salidroside may improve exercise performance and reduce fatigue at high elevations. For best results, supplementation should begin 1-2 weeks before ascending to high altitude. While evidence is promising (Level B), Rhodiola should complement proper acclimatization and standard altitude sickness prevention protocols rather than replace them.
PubMed-compiled information sheet
This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.
Compiled from 30 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b
Summary
Rhodiola kirilowii is a perennial medicinal herb native to China and the Asiatic mountains, utilized in traditional Tibetan and Chinese medicine for its adaptogenic and immunomodulatory properties [PMID:28680326, PMID:40229289].
Background
Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel) Maxim is a member of the Crassulaceae family that grows wildly in the mountains of Tibet, Mongolia, and China, and is also cultivated in Poland [PMID:27760021, PMID:28680326]. It is a tetraploid species with a chromosome-level genome spanning 1.92 Gb [PMID:40229289].
Traditional uses
Traditionally used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine as a tonic, adaptogen, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory remedy, and for detoxification, anti-swelling, and the treatment of secretory diarrhea [PMID:27760021, PMID:40229289, PMID:25747701].
Active compounds
Identified compounds include salidroside, p-tyrosol, rosavins (rosarin, rosin), gallic acid, and various polyphenols such as (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), (+)-catechin, p-coumaric acid, and naringenin [PMID:26094524, PMID:32774302, PMID:25747701, PMID:24190481, PMID:1384543, PMID:26155165].
Mechanism of action
Mechanisms include affecting cortisol and nitric oxide (NO) levels via interactions with glucocorticoid receptors or c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase (JNK) [PMID:26094524]. It may target apoptosis pathways (Bcl-2/Bax, caspases, PI3K/Akt, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, and AMPK) for anticancer activity [PMID:32774302], inhibit CFTR Cl- channel activity to treat secretory diarrhea [PMID:25747701], and regulate PPARG/PTGS2 to alleviate acute lung injury [PMID:41528007].
Clinical evidence
Evidence DSecretory Diarrhea
(-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from R. kirilowii act as inhibitors of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) [PMID:25747701]
Evidence DHypoxia
Herbal powder solutions of R. kirilowii significantly increased survival time in a normobaric hypoxia mouse model [PMID:41828434]
Evidence DAcute Lung Injury (ALI)
R. kirilowii may alleviate LPS-induced acute lung injury and inflammation in mice, potentially via the active component liquiritin [PMID:41528007]
Evidence DImmune Response
Extracts of R. kirilowii rhizomes were found to be cellular immunity enhancers in mice and rats [PMID:19886264]
Safety & adverse effects
In mouse models, hydro-alcoholic extracts (RKW-A) administered during pregnancy were associated with an increased number of mated females without offspring [PMID:26155165] and morphometric abnormalities in the kidney structure of adult progeny [PMID:27935764].
Pregnancy & lactation
Administration to pregnant and lactating mice showed that aqueous extracts (RKW) did not cause kidney abnormalities in progeny [PMID:27935764], but hydro-alcoholic extracts (RKW-A) did [PMID:27935764]. Long-term use in mice did not significantly change the total body weight or the status of the liver, spleen, kidney, brain, and eyes of the mothers [PMID:29034747].
Evidence summary
The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro studies and animal models (mice and rats), with a focus on phytochemical analysis and immunomodulatory effects; human clinical data in the provided abstracts are limited to general claims about the Rhodiola genus.
PubMed sources
1.PMID: 26094524 (2015) — Approaches of Rhodiola kirilowii and Rhodiola rosea field cultivation in Poland and their potential health benefits. · Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM
2.PMID: 33537449 (2021) — The complete chloroplast genome of the Tibetan medicinal plant Rhodiola kirilowii. · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
3.PMID: 29027439 (2017) — [Resource investigation about Tibetan medicine Rhodiola kirilowii]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
4.PMID: 32774302 (2020) — Traditional Tibetan Medicine in Cancer Therapy by Targeting Apoptosis Pathways. · Frontiers in pharmacology
5.PMID: 21040548 (2010) — Hepatitis C treatment: current and future perspectives. · Virology journal
Government sources
No direct government monograph is available for this herb. The content below is AI-generated and has not been verified against an authoritative government source. Use the search links to check official sources before relying on this information.
6.PMID: 28680326 (2017) — The effect of feeding mice during gestation and nursing with Rhodiola kirilowii extracts or epigallocatechin on CD4 and CD8 cells number and distribution in the spleen of their progeny. · Central-European journal of immunology
7.PMID: 37089935 (2023) — Efficacy and safety of three species of Rhodiola L. in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. · Frontiers in pharmacology
8.PMID: 37960089 (2023) — Predicting the Potential Geographical Distribution of Rhodiola L. in China under Climate Change Scenarios. · Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
9.PMID: 29214185 (2017) — Administration of Rhodiola kirilowii Extracts during Mouse Pregnancy and Lactation Stimulates Innate but Not Adaptive Immunity of the Offspring. · Journal of immunology research
10.PMID: 40229289 (2025) — Chromosome-level genome and annotation of the tetraploid Rhodiola kirilowii. · Scientific data
11.PMID: 27935764 (2017) — Morphofunctional Renal Alterations in Progeny of Mice Fed Rhodiola kirilowii Extracts or Epigallocatechin During Pregnancy and Lactation. · Journal of medicinal food
12.PMID: 27760021 (2016) — Feeding Pregnant and Lactating Mice Rhodiola kirilowii Extracts helps to Preserve Thymus Function of their Adult Progeny. · Polish journal of veterinary sciences
13.PMID: 30518724 (2019) — Metabolic Discrimination of Different Rhodiola Species Using 1H-NMR and GEP Combinational Chemometrics. · Chemical & pharmaceutical bulletin
14.PMID: 25389750 (2014) — Phylogeography of Rhodiola kirilowii (Crassulaceae): a story of Miocene divergence and quaternary expansion. · PloS one
15.PMID: 33365843 (2019) — The complete chloroplast genome sequence of Rhodiola sacra (Prain ex Hamet) S. H. Fu. · Mitochondrial DNA. Part B, Resources
16.PMID: 29034747 (2019) — Long-term supplementation of Rhodiola kirilowii extracts during pregnancy and lactation does not affect mother health status. · The journal of maternal-fetal & neonatal medicine : the official journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians
17.PMID: 30468269 (2019) — Characterization of the chemical constituents in Hongjingtian injection by liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. · Biomedical chromatography : BMC
18.PMID: 27882178 (2016) — Modulatory effects of feeding pregnant and lactating mice Rhodiola kirilowii extracts on the immune system of offspring. · Experimental and therapeutic medicine
19.PMID: 26155165 (2014) — The influence of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of roots and rhizomes of Rhodiola kirilowii on the course of pregnancy in mice. · Central-European journal of immunology
20.PMID: 34833946 (2021) — Application of UHPLC Fingerprints Combined with Chemical Pattern Recognition Analysis in the Differentiation of Six Rhodiola Species. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
21.PMID: 28680327 (2017) — Different effects of feeding pregnant and lactating mice Rhodiola kirilowii aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts on their serum angiogenic activity and content of selected polyphenols. · Central-European journal of immunology
22.PMID: 29925045 (2018) — Authenticity identification and classification of Rhodiola species in traditional Tibetan medicine based on Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics analysis. · Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy
23.PMID: 25747701 (2015) — Bioactivity-guided fractionation of an antidiarrheal Chinese herb Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel) Maxim reveals (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate as inhibitors of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. · PloS one
24.PMID: 24190481 (2014) — Biotransformation of cinnamyl alcohol to rosavins by non-transformed wild type and hairy root cultures of Rhodiola kirilowii. · Biotechnology letters
25.PMID: 41828434 (2026) — A "Qualitative-Pharmacological-Correlation-Molecular" Integrated Workflow Reveals HIF-1α-Relevant Anti-Hypoxia Metabolites in Rhodiola Species. · International journal of molecular sciences
26.PMID: 41528007 (2026) — Exploring the mechanism of Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel) Maxim regulating PPARG/PTGS2 to alleviate LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MSE combined with system pharmacology. · Natural product research
27.PMID: 1384543 (1992) — [Chemical constituents of Rhodiola kirilowii (Reg.) Reg]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
28.PMID: 7893386 (1994) — [Chemical constituents of Rhodiola kirilowii (Regel) Regel]. · Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
29.PMID: 12879202 (2003) — Determination of p-tyrosol and salidroside in three samples of Rhodiola crenulata and one of Rhodiola kirilowii by capillary zone electrophoresis. · Analytical and bioanalytical chemistry
30.PMID: 19886264 (2009) — The effect of Chinese medicinal herb Rhodiola kirilowii extracts on cellular immunity in mice and rats. · Polish journal of veterinary sciences