Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment and Therapy The Health Benefits of Rhodiola Rhodiola Rosea May Be a Natural Treatment for Social Anxiety By Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic Arlin Cuncic, MA, is the author of "Therapy in Focus: What to Expect from CBT for Social Anxiety Disorder" and "7 Weeks to Reduce Anxiety." Learn about our editorial process Updated on August 02, 2020 Medically reviewed by Elena Klimenko, MD Medically reviewed by Elena Klimenko, MD on August 01, 2020 Facebook LinkedIn Elena Klimenko, MD, is a board-certified doctor in internal medicine and licensed in medical acupuncture and homeopathy. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, rose root, or arctic root, is a plant from Siberia that grows well in dry and cold arctic climates. The medicinal compounds of rhodiola rosea come from the root of the plant and have been used to help treat occasional stress, anxiety, mental and physical fatigue, and depressed mood. Verywell / Jessica Olah Health Benefits Rhodiola rosea has been classified by some researchers as an adaptogen, meaning that it helps to make you less prone to physical and emotional stress. Research has shown that this natural medicine may stimulate serotonin, norepinephrine and dopamine activity. However, more research is needed to confirm efficacy of rhodiola supplements. The proper balance of these neurotransmitters is believed to be involved in healthy emotional and neurological functioning. People have used rhodiola supplements for: The treatment of depression Fatigue Improved exercise performance Some limited studies have shown that rhodiola may provide benefits in the treatment or management of each of these conditions. However, more scientific study is needed before we know for sure if the supplement can provide these benefits. Possible Side Effects Side effects of rhodiola rosea are generally rare and mild to moderate. They may include headache, stomach upset, drowsiness, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. You may experience drowsiness if you combine rhodiola rosea with benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Do not take rhodiola rosea if you are pregnant or nursing, or taking prescription monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). There are no known risks associated with rhodiola rosea; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not regulate the production of herbs and supplements. Most herbs and supplements are not thoroughly tested, and there is no guarantee regarding the ingredients or safety of the products. Dosage and Preparations The recommended adult dosage for capsule form of rhodiola rosea is 100 to 300 mg daily. There is not enough scientific evidence to recommend the use of rhodiola rosea in children. You should read the product label about the proper dosage and consult a healthcare provider to get personalized recommendations. What to Look For Rhodiola rosea is usually taken in capsule form, but it is also available in other forms such as extracts and teas. If you choose to buy a rhodiola supplement (or any supplement), the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that you look for a Supplement Facts label on the product that you buy. This label will contain vital information including the amount of active ingredients per serving, and other added ingredients like fillers, binders, and flavorings. Lastly, the organization suggests that you look for a product that contains a seal of approval from a third party organization that provides quality testing. These organizations include U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International. A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness but it does provide assurance that the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants. Other Questions Are there other natural products that people use to treat social anxiety? There are some other products that are sometimes used to manage stress and anxiety. Not all of them have been studied enough to know if they provide a benefit. The most common supplements include: Chamomile Kava Kava Passion Flower St. John's Wort Valerian Root Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Learn the best ways to manage stress and negativity in your life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Rhodiola. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Modified September 24, 2017. Sarris J, Mcintyre E, Camfield DA. Plant-based medicines for anxiety disorders, part 2: a review of clinical studies with supporting preclinical evidence. CNS Drugs. 2013;27(4):301-19. doi:10.1007/s40263-013-0059-9 Rhodiola. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Updated January 29, 2019. Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Reviewed January 15, 2020. Mao JJ, Li QS, Soeller I, Xie SX, Amsterdam JD. Rhodiola rosea therapy for major depressive disorder: a study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled trial. J Clin Trials. 2014;4:170. doi:10.4172/2167-0870.1000170 Lakhan SE, Vieira KF. Nutritional and herbal supplements for anxiety and anxiety-related disorders: systematic review. Nutr J. 2010;9:42. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-9-42 Speak to a Therapist for Social Anxiety Disorder Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.