Information About Rhodiola and Coumadin

Rhodiola

• People in northern European countries like Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Russia are traditional consumers of the herb Rhodiola rosea. "Rhodiola is currently marketed as the 'new ginseng,' said to fight fatigue, enhance mental function, increase general wellness, improve sports performance, and enhance sex drive," says New York University's Langone Medical Center.

Coumadin

• The U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that Coumadin, also known as warfarin, is an anticoagulant -- a blood thinner -- typically used for the prevention of blood clots. As such, it produces thin blood, and patients must be cognizant of the possibility of excessively easy and quick bleeding should an injury occur or medical procedure be necessary.

Combination

• A 2007 study funded by the Swedish Herbal Institute found that Rhodalia rosea was safe to use in conjunction with blood thinning drugs like Coumadin. Dr. Alexander Panossian, the research director of the Swedish Herbal Institute and a co-author of the study, stated that when rhodalia extract and Coumadin (warfarin) were combined, there was "no effect on the pharmacological activity and concentration of warfarin in blood after their oral administration." Still, every person's physiology is different, and it's extremely important that you consult with your physician before you begin taking any herbal supplements, especially if you take other medications.