You may have heard praises for Rhodiola rosea (also known as rhodiola or golden root) from your wellness-inspired Aunt or your TikTok feed. This popular adaptogen is renowned for its soothing and focus-inducing benefits. However, if you're new to the world of herbal supplements like rhodiola, you may have questions about their powers—such as how long does rhodiola stay in your system?

Like any drug or supplement, rhodiola has a lifespan when ingested. However, the duration of Rhodiola in your system can vary based on a number of factors, from medical history to dosage. In this blog post, we’ll explore all to know about Rhodiola rosea’s journey through your system, from metabolism factors to drug tests.

What is Rhodiola?

Before knowing how long rhodiola lasts, it’s important to know just what rhodiola is—and that would be an adaptogen.

Adaptogens are a class of plants known for inducing homeostasis, or balance in the body. By working on the body's hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, these botanical compounds can bring a sense of ease, clarity, and energy.[1] In short, they reinforce your body’s stress response and support the nervous system.

Rhodiola is a particularly beneficial adaptogen, having been used for centuries in Ancient European and traditional Chinese medicine practices.[2] So, what are the benefits of rhodiola? With its multitude of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, rhodiola can improve emotional, physical, and mental health markers, leading to these potential health benefits:[3,4]

• Stress relief
• Depression treatment (mild to moderate cases)
• Physical performance enhancement
• Chronic fatigue treatment
• Anti-cancer properties

What is the Average Time Rhodiola Stays in the System?

So, how long does Rhodiola rosea stay in your system once it arrives? Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—but you can make an educated estimate.

To evaluate the lifespan of herbal supplements, professionals try to determine their half-life, or how long it takes for the body to eliminate half of the ingested substance. For example, a half-life of three hours would mean that 100 milligrams of a drug would reduce to 50 milligrams after three hours. Over the next three hours, that amount would then reduce to 25 milligrams, and so on.

According to research, the half-life of active compounds in rhodiola extract is measured to be 1.32 hours.[5] However, this may not account for how long you feel the effects of rhodiola. You may experience the mental and physical effects from a few hours to a day.

What Affects the Duration of Rhodiola?

Everyone reacts to drugs in different ways—and that includes botanicals like rhodiola. While rhodiola is more “mild” than a prescription medication, like an antidepressant or stimulant, it will still be absorbed and cleared by the body in a similar manner.

Put simply, a substance’s half-life can vary from person to person. A number of factors can reduce or increase how long a rhodiola supplement stays in your body, such as:[6,7]

• Physical size – Your body weight and height can greatly affect a drug’s distribution and metabolism. Generally, larger individuals tend to have a higher volume of distribution, which means the drug may be more diluted and potentially eliminated faster. However, it is important to note that drug metabolism is a complex process—size alone does not determine the elimination speed.

• Gender – Being born male or female can sometimes influence drug metabolism. For instance, the level of enzymes involved in drug metabolism may differ in men and women, affecting how rhodiola is eliminated from the system. Hormonal differences between genders can also play a role in a substance’s half-life.

• Medical history – Pre-existing health conditions may impair the body's ability to process and eliminate drugs efficiently. In particular, conditions of the liver and kidney can impair substance elimination, since these two organs are mainly responsible for filtering out substances. 

• Other medications – Some medications can inhibit or induce drug-metabolizing enzymes, altering the clearance of certain drugs. Drug interactions should also be carefully considered to avoid potential adverse effects, even for herbal supplements like rhodiola.

• Water intake and fluid levels – Water is like your body’s power-hose, flushing all substances from the body. Sufficient water intake maintains proper kidney function, which plays a significant role in drug excretion. 

• Lifestyle factors – Certain lifestyle factors, such as smoking or specific dietary habits, can influence drug metabolism. Smoking, for example, can speed up enzymatic activity that eliminates substances from the body.[8] Additionally, the timing and content of your eating when using Rhodiola could greatly affect its absorption.[9]

• Dosage – The higher the dose, the longer a substance will likely take to clear from the body. On the other hand, lower doses of rhodiola may clear faster from your system.

• Product potency – The potency and formulation of a drug can also influence its half-life. A study of 40 rhodiola products found significant differences in quality, which could translate to different half-lives in the body.[10]

See related: Is Rhodiola a Stimulant?

Can Rhodiola Be Detected in Drug Tests?

Rhodiola is not usually at the top of the list for drug tests. Since rhodiola is a relatively mild supplement, you don’t have to worry about being drug tested for it. In fact, rhodiola isn’t prohibited under any usage laws or restrictions, including for Military Service Members.[11]

However, you may have a connecting question—can rhodiola interfere with the results of any other drug tests? Currently, there is no evidence that rhodiola creates false positives or negatives for any drug tests. However, be wary of these common drugs and supplements that may create false positives on urinary drug test results:[12]

• Cough suppressants (Robitussin, Delsym)
• Allergy medications (Benadryl)
• Decongestants (e.g., Sudafed)
• NSAIDs (Motrin, Advil, etc.)
• Antidepressants (Venlafaxine, desvenlafaxine, etc.)
• Antipsychotics (Quetiapine)
• Proton pump inhibitors
• Quinolone antibiotics 
• Anti-nausea medications (Promethazine)

Can You Overdose on Rhodiola?

Another upside of using rhodiola? The risk of overdose is low. There are zero known cases of rhodiola overdose, and the supplement is well-regarded for its tolerability.

While safe, rhodiola can produce some uncomfortable effects if taken in excess. You may experience any of these effects on a high rhodiola dose:[13]

• Insomnia
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Dry mouth or excessive saliva production
• Indigestion or nausea
• Low blood pressure

To avoid a negative experience, stick to the recommended dose of 100 to 300 milligrams of Rhodiola.[14] With time, you can increase the dose if your body needs more for the desired effect.

Can You Clear Rhodiola From Your System Faster?

It’s hard to interfere with the body’s natural processes, including substance metabolism. In most cases, allowing your body to do its own thing is best. However, there may be certain circumstances (such as a too-high dose) where you’d like to speed things along.

Like most substances, Rhodiola is cleared by your body’s elimination system—mainly the kidneys and liver. You can speed up their work with these tips:[15]

• Stay hydrated – Adequate hydration is key to supporting your kidneys. Drinking water throughout the day can help them filter out foreign toxins or substances, such as rhodiola

• Get some exercise – A little sweat and heart pumping can promote blood circulation in the body, which can speed up your body’s substance metabolism. Add a speedy walk or jog to help clear rhodiola from your system.

• Pick a healthy plate – Consuming a balanced and nutritious diet can support overall metabolic function. Try to pick foods rich in antioxidants and prebiotics, such as fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and whole grains, which help support the body's cortisol levels and natural detoxification processes. Additionally, avoiding sugar and processed foods could also help your body metabolize any substances.

• Lower the sodium – You may want to drink more water when detoxing, but you don’t want to retain it. Sodium causes your body to retain fluid, which may keep any ingested substances inside your system. By lowering your sodium intake, you can help your body release and flush out any toxins or supplements.

• Minimize toxins – When removing a substance from your system, adding another substance will only double your body’s workload. Avoid intake of other toxins like cigarette smoke, alcohol, and drugs.

• Rest up – Sleep is your body’s time to reset—and detoxify. Aim for a restful night with a minimum of 7 hours of sleep so that your body has the energy to metabolize any substances.

Supplement Your Health with Botanic Tonics

There may be no single answer to how long rhodiola extract stays in your system. However, factoring in your own personal health history can help you make an educated choice about this beneficial adaptogen. Whether you’re a supplement newbie or aficionado, you can find a natural solution to stress and focus that fits your life—and Botanic Tonics is here to help.

As leaders in the kava movement, we know that supplement quality matters. That’s why each of our kava products go through rigorous testing, so you can feel safe and assured when taking them. We’re here to deliver a soothing (and tasty) answer to everyday stress. 

Take the natural road to wellness—no metals, no toxins, just plant-based goodness. Take a look at our Botanic Tonics collection today.

Sources: 

1. NIH. A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240259/
2. NCCIH. Rhodiola. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/rhodiola
3. Mental Health America. rhodiola Rosea. https://www.mhanational.org/rhodiola-rosea
4. VerywellMind. rhodiola: Benefits, Side Effects, Dosage, and Interactions. https://www.verywellmind.com/how-is-rhodiola-rosea-used-to-treat-anxiety-3024972
5. NIH. The Effect of Acute rhodiola rosea Ingestion on Exercise Heart Rate, Substrate Utilisation, Mood State, and Perceptions of Exertion, Arousal, and Pleasure/Displeasure in Active Men. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590898/
6. Drugs.com. Drug Half-life Explained: Calculator, Variables & Examples. https://www.drugs.com/article/drug-half-life.html
7. AACC. Pharmacokinetics. https://www.aacc.org/science-and-research/clinical-chemistry-trainee-council/trainee-council-in-english/pearls-of-laboratory-medicine/2021/pharmacokinetics
8. Australian Prescriber. Smoking and drug interaction. https://www.nps.org.au/australian-prescriber/articles/smoking-and-drug-interactions
9. MDPI. The Impact of Diet and Exercise on Drug Responses. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/14/7692
10. NIH. The authenticity and quality of rhodiola rosea products. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26626192/
11. Uniformed Services University. rhodiola rosea: Dietary supplements for brain health. https://www.opss.org/article/rhodiola-rosea-dietary-supplements-brain-health
12. GoodRX Health. These 10 Medications Can Cause a False Positive on Drug Tests. https://www.goodrx.com/drugs/side-effects/these-medications-can-cause-a-false-positive-on-drug-tests
13. Healthline. Full Body Detox: 9 Ways to Rejuvenate Your Body. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-detox-your-body

About The Author

Jamal Bouie

Jamal Bouie is an accomplished professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry from Lemoyne-Owen College in Memphis. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in Biomedicine at Salus University. Jamal has worked in several industries; he began his career in pharmaceutical manufacturing and transitioned to the cannabis industry, where he specialized in analytical testing and manufacturing, playing a vital role in ensuring product safety and compliance. Now, Jamal has turned his attention to the dietary supplement field, combining his scientific acumen with his passion for health and wellness.