Tibetan/Greater roseroot
Rhodiola crenulata
Other names: sol ba dmar po, Tibetan/Greater roseroot
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Generally low at standard extract doses; high doses may cause irritability, insomnia, jitteriness.
Contraindications: Bipolar/agitation states (stimulating), pregnancy/lactation (insufficient data). Use cautiously before sleep.
Interactions: Possible interactions with antidepressants/MAOIs and stimulants (theoretical); may affect CYP-metabolised drugs (preclinical signals).
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Insufficient data.
Evidence level
Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.
Preparations
decoction/powder/tincture/extract · root and rhizome
Part used: root and rhizome
Traditional use: Plateau adaptogen for 'lung/wind' weakness, fatigue, tonic to aid high-altitude acclimatization
Proposed mechanism: Salidroside and tyrosol (low in rosavins vs European R. rosea) — HIF-1α modulation, improved mitochondrial/oxidative handling under hypoxia, antioxidant-enzyme induction, anti-inflammatory/cardioprotective signalling (preclinical)
Dosage note (descriptive only): Decoction/powder of root-and-rhizome in compound formulas; extract studies standardised to salidroside; formula-/product-dependent
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a nutritional food; bioactives are salidroside, rosavins, tyrosol.
Healing traditions
Sources (2)
- Ning et al. 2026, J Ethnopharmacol (PMID 41936838)
- Gao et al. 2026, Front Pharmacol (PMID 42222156)