What is Rhodiola? How Does it Work?
The Rhodiola plant — found only in highlands in Asia, Europe and the Northern Hemisphere — has been used in traditional medicine for centuries for its many health benefits. It is an "adaptogen" — that is, it helps the body to adapt to and counter stress [1].
The medical portion of the Rhodiola plant is the rhizome, a tuber. The rhizome has several bioactives such as salidroside, rosin, rosavin, and p-tyrosol [1]. These substances exhibit antioxidant properties, which means they counteract the properites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [2].
Benefits of Rhodiola
Rhodiola's Impact on the Immune System
Rhodiola also enhances production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in human PBMCs and the mouse macrophage cell line RAW 264.7. These are proinflammatory mediators involved in the immune response [3].
It is also associated with supporting the immune system, boosting energy and enhancing cognitive function [1]. It has also been used a sport enhancer, which might be helpful in a weight loss program [4].
Rhodiola's Antioxidant Properties
Rhodiola is a powerfull antioxidant. It has been reported to undo the DNA damage and modulate ROS-induced cytokines and antioxidative enzymes expression [2].
Rhodiola's Potential Anti-Tumor Activity
Rhodiola has also been reported as anti-tumor. Rhodiola quadrifida extract and its main biologically active compound, salidroside, for example, have been found to significantly reduce neovascular reaction, which is responsible for the growth of tumors [5].
However, it's important to note that this does not mean that rhodiola can cure cancer.
What is Lexapro? How Does it Work?
Lexapro, (or escitalopram) is an antidepressant drug belonging to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) [6, 7, 8]. SSRIs increase serotonin in your brain, by blocking the reuptake of serotinin (hence the name reuptake inhibitors). Serotonin is a messenger chemical that makes you feel good [7].
Escitalopram acts in a very selective, powerful and dose-dependent manner on the transport of serotonin in humans. The drug increases the level of serotonin in the central nervous system, by preventing it from re-entering the presynaptic nerve endings [9].
Escitalopram attaches very well to the human serotonin transporter. This binding effect is the reason why escitalopram works for depression and anxiety disorders [10].
Lexapro is also taken for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder in adults, in addition to depression. Anxiety disorder puts your body into fight-or-flight mode more often and longer. Lexapro is an option to control this response [7].
Relationship Between Lexapro and Rhodiola
Both Rhodiola rosea and Lexapro (escitalopram) are used to manage depression and anxiety. Rhodiola rosea — A plant that traditional medicine believes is an adaptogenic herb that regulates stress and balances the body [11]. Lexapro, meanwhile, is a prescription drug that’s prescribed for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder [6].
But the possibility that these two drugs could be interfering is also something to watch.
Do Rhodiola and Lexapro Interact?
The direct interaction between Rhodiola rosea and Lexapro has not been studied. However, one study reports a case in which a 68-year-old woman developed vegetative syndrome, restlessness and trembling after she began ingesting Rhodiola along with the antidepressants paroxetine. The authors of the study interpret these symptoms as serotonergic syndrome [12].
Lexapro is, like paroxetine, an SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) and both boost serotonin in the brain. Thus it is not impossible that the same scenario might play out for Lexapro and Rhodiola rosea, causing an overproduction of serotonin, a syndrome called serotonin syndrome. This disease can lead to fatal complications and in some instances it can kill you [6].
Conclusion
There is no direct connection between Rhodiola rosea and Lexapro, but take with caution, because of the risk of serotonin syndrome. We always recommend consulting a doctor before taking any new drug or supplement especially when taking combined medications that can influence serotonin in the brain.
For more information about the interactions of Lexapro, read our blogs about Ashwagandha and Lexapro, Lexapro and hydroxyzine or Lexapro and Chaga.