Rhodiola Adoptogen: Health Benefits and How to Use Rhodiola is a stimulating adaptogen (only red ginseng is more stimulating) but not a nourishing one. It has significant benefits for the nervous system, and it has been shown to enhance alertness, reduce fatigue, improve memory, and relieve depression.I regularly use rhodiola for people with deficient (asthenic) depression or stagnant depression, for altitude sickness (used with cordyceps, reishi, and holy basil), and for adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as well as to help people recover from head trauma injury. For head trauma injuries, I combine it with gotu kola, bacopa, white peony, standardized ginkgo extract, holy basil, or Chinese polygala.