Form Comparison

Rhodiola Root Powder vs Rhodiola SHR-5

How rhodiola root powder and rhodiola SHR-5 differ in potency, absorption, tolerance, and cost.

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Quick verdict. Choose SHR-5. It is the extract the controlled fatigue trials used, while raw root powder is unstandardized, and authenticity testing has found powders lacking R. rosea markers altogether. Root powder gives you no way to know your dose.

Side by Side

Rhodiola Root Powder SHR-5 Extract
Absorption Low Variable
How it is absorbed Unstandardized dried root; marker content per gram is unknown. Ethanol-water extract of R. rosea root, standardized by the manufacturer; used in most of the controlled trials.
Typical dose Per product 170-680 mg daily
Common uses traditional use stress-related fatigue, mental performance under fatigue
Side effects Dizziness, dry mouth. Dizziness, dry mouth, insomnia.
Cost Low Moderate
Also called golden root powder SHR-5, Swedish Herbal Institute rhodiola extract

When to Choose Rhodiola Root Powder

There is rarely a reason to choose rhodiola root powder: choose a standardized extract. Authenticity testing has found products without the R. rosea markers.

Rhodiola Root Powder

There is rarely a reason to choose rhodiola root powder: choose a standardized extract.

What to look for: Rhodiola Root Powder named on the Supplement Facts panel, with the amount per serving stated.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

When to Choose SHR-5 Extract

Choose rhodiola SHR-5 when you want the extract the trials used. Trial results apply to this extract; other extracts differ in composition.

SHR-5 Extract

The extract behind most of the trials. Effects are modest and best documented for fatigue under stress.

What to look for: SHR-5 named on the label, 200-600 mg daily.

Find on iHerb Affiliate link

Products on Titrate

1,554 of the 214,745 labels in the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database list rhodiola as an active ingredient (844 on market). 370 are sold as rhodiola products by name.

Open supplement search

Rhodiola does not have its own search category yet. Each product above links to its full label in the NIH database.

Related

References

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Rhodiola.

Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, Gabrielian E, Wikman G, Wagner H. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue: a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000;7(5):365-371.

Shevtsov VA, Zholus BI, Shervarly VI, et al. A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomedicine. 2003;10(2-3):95-105.

Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract SHR-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta Med. 2009;75(2):105-112.

Ishaque S, Shamseer L, Bukutu C, Vohra S. Rhodiola rosea for physical and mental fatigue: a systematic review. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012;12:70.

Mao JJ, Xie SX, Zee J, et al. Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2015;22(4):394-399.

Booker A, Jalil B, Frommenwiler D, et al. The authenticity and quality of Rhodiola rosea products. Phytomedicine. 2016;23(7):754-762.