Clinical evidence for the adaptogenic effects of <i>Withania somnifera</i> and <i>Rhodiola rosea</i> - A systematic review with molecular interpretation of psychometric outcomes
Łuszczak J, Kocki J
Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM · 1 citation
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2025-12-09 · Ann Agric Environ Med · vol. 33 · issue 1 · pp. 3–11
- Publisher
- Institute of Rural Health
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 37% of similar papers · 0.1× the field average
- References
- 0 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds · Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Andrographolide Research and Applications
- Keywords
- Interpretation (philosophy), MEDLINE, Psychometrics, Reliability (semiconductor), Cognition
- MeSH
- humans, rhodiola, withania, plant extracts, stress, psychological, psychometrics, randomized controlled trials as topic
2 authors
From PL
- Joanna Łuszczak · correspondingMedical University of Lublin
- Janusz KockiMedical University of Lublin
Abstract
Introduction and objective
Adaptogens are plant-derived substances that enhance the body's resilience to physical and psychological stress, with Withania somnifera and Rhodiola rosea being among the most studied representatives. The aim of this review is to evaluate the adaptogenic effects of W. somnifera and R. rosea based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Review methods
A systematic literature search was performed using the key words: 'ashwagandha', 'Withania somnifera', 'Rhodiola rosea', and 'plant adaptogen'. Twenty-four studies met the inclusion criteria - 19 on W. somnifera and 5 on R. rosea.
Brief description of the state of knowledge
The analyzed trials involved 10-590 participants, aged 18-75 years, both healthy individuals and patients with stress-related or functional disorders. Interventions included standardized extracts at daily doses of 120-1000 mg for W. somnifera and 290-1500 mg for R. rosea, with supplementation lasting 3-16 weeks. Reported benefits included reduction of stress and anxiety, alleviation of depressive symptoms, improved sleep quality, enhancement of cognitive functions, increased muscle strength and recovery, and favourable hormonal changes. Methodological heterogeneity, short intervention periods, and small sample sizes remain limitations.
Summary
Evidence from RCTs confirms that W. somnifera and R. rosea exert multi-dimensional adaptogenic effects, improving psychophysical health and supporting stress resilience. Their mechanisms involve regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, neurotransmission, immune and hormonal pathways. Further long-term, high-quality clinical trials, supplemented with molecular and systemic approaches, are required to consolidate their role in integrative, evidence-based medicine.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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