Rhodiola rosea root extract comes from an herb that grows in cold, mountainous parts of Europe and Asia. People take it to shore up mental and physical stamina when life gets stressful or tiring. Many folks use a standardised extract once or twice a day on an empty stomach, usually before evening to steer clear of overstimulation.
Do not mix rhodiola with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). The combination can trigger a dangerous hypertensive crisis. Steer clear of it alongside SSRI, SNRI, or tricyclic antidepressants and any other serotonergic drugs because of the risk of serotonin syndrome. Rhodiola might nudge blood pressure upward in some people. Anyone with hypertension should check their numbers carefully and proceed with caution.
People who have bipolar disorder should skip rhodiola since it can provoke mania. The herb is not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Taking it too late in the day can lead to insomnia or jitteriness. If you are prone to anxiety, it might make those feelings worse.