Rhodiola Rosea, an herb that has gained its stars in traditional medicine, has been a feature ingredient in several T-boosters. The herb claims to have an effect on processes that naturally boost testosterone levels, reduce stress, combat fatigue, and improve physical and mental fitness and resilience. While these claims could greatly benefit us, it's only natural to wonder if there's any truth to them before using supplements that contain the herb.
So, I decided to take a closer look at the science behind Rhodiola Rosea's claims to confirm if it can help safely boost and maintain testosterone levels:
Key Takeaways
Rhodiola Rosea: The Basics
Rhodiola Rosea, or Golden Root as it's more commonly known, has circled medicine bowls for centuries. In the early days, the herb was sourced and used to enhance strength and vitality, but as science evolved, researchers found that it could do more than just that.
Now identified as an adaptogen (it can help your body adapt to various stressors and promotes overall well-being), Rhodiola has been used for both mental and physical enhancement, like fat burning, energy, and brain, and testosterone boosts.
Rhodiola Rosea and Testosterone Boosting
Looking more into testosterone boosts, I found that research points to associated body processes that might lead to increased testosterone levels rather than direct ones.
For example, one study investigating the effect of Rhodiola Rosea on the mind used a single dose of 370mg or 555mg to demonstrate its abilities.
161 participants were divided into two groups, one group was given the doses of Rhodiola Rosea, and the other wasn't. The results showed that the group that took the herb had lower stress and fatigue levels, proving its capabilities in this respect.
The same study also presented data from a clinical trial that involved subjects divided into groups. Each group took a different form of supplementation—ADAPT-232, Rhodiola Rosea, and Schisandra Chinensis for 1 week. A significant decrease in fatigue levels was observed in the Rhodiola group compared to the other groups.
In addition, Rhodiola Rosea improved all dimensions of chronic fatigue and burnout-related symptoms, further solidifying its effect on stress and fatigue. Now, you must be wondering what this has to do with testosterone levels.
Well, stress and fatigue can reduce testosterone production, which lowers levels of the hormone in the body. This is one of the reasons why many T- Boosters include ingredients such as Rhodiola Rosea to actively fight factors that might affect testosterone production.
Breaking Down the Science
I found a compelling trial that examined the effects of different herbs on testosterone concentrations, one of them being Rhodiola. The trial involved 26 healthy men divided into groups, one taking a placebo and the other taking 600mg of Rhodiola daily.
The trial lasted a maximum of 4 weeks, and the findings were not very promising. While the men in the Rhodiola group showed improved testosterone levels, the increase was inconsistent, not as significant as researchers hoped for, or nearly enough to consider it a treatment option for testosterone deficiency.
With that being said, I found some positives in the study—the evidence from the trial did confirm that Rhodiola has anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-anxiety, and anti-stress properties, which can decrease counterregulatory hormones like cortisol (stress hormone), which negatively affect testosterone production and functionality.
This means that the consumption of Rhodiola can be helpful to testosterone levels, provided that there are other more potent ingredients carrying the responsibility of testosterone boosting. Rhodiola's effects aren't strong enough to be used on its own for testosterone boosting because the herb does not influence hormones like LH (Luteinizing Hormone), which directly control testosterone production.
Final Word
In my research, I found some studies showing positive associations between Rhodiola Rosea supplementation and testosterone levels. However, the boosts weren't significant. More well-designed human clinical trials are needed to confirm potential effects, but this doesn't mean we should rule out the use of the herb completely.
Scientific data shows that the herb is quite reliable at reducing stressors that affect testosterone production, which means it can be used as a maintenance aid. This is one of the reasons why some T-boosters feature Rhodiola Rosea in their formulas.
A standalone Rhodiola Rosea supplement is an effective choice if you're looking for an aid to maintain your already healthy testosterone levels. Alternatively, if you're looking to boost and maintain testosterone levels simultaneously, a testosterone-boosting supplement with the ingredient is an ideal option.