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Heavy Metal Index
A whole Rhodiola rosea root with a pinkish cut face, a bowl of dried chopped root and a sprig with succulent leaves and yellow flowers.

Heavy metals in Rhodiola rosea

Lead, cadmium, total arsenic and total mercury in rhodiola rosea: monitoring results, studies, references by form and basis, limits, testing and controls.

Quick read

Rhodiola rosea in the HMI library has 50 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury and Co from 1 source.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

Rhodiola rosea overview

Rhodiola rosea in the HMI library has 50 reported results for lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury and Co from 1 source.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

For a buyer the practical points are the form bought, the basis a result is reported on, where the rhodiola rosea came from and the laboratory’s reporting limit. Testing finds contamination but does not remove it.

What counts as rhodiola rosea

This page covers rhodiola rosea, as sold (50 results).1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

Results stay on the basis each source reports: as sold or fresh weight, dry weight, or unstated. Dry-weight, as-sold and unstated results are never pooled, and no moisture conversion is applied.

Heavy metal contamination profile of rhodiola rosea

The table holds every extracted rhodiola rosea result: one row for each statistic a source reports for a form, group and metal, 50 rows in all, grouped by metal and form; percentiles, ranges and maxima for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source → Monitoring medians are HMI calculations from individual submissions; non-detects remain intervals between zero and the reporting limit and are never read as zero.

24 rows can be rated against an HMI reference for the same form and basis, 0 rows have a direct same-study comparison, and the rest stay unrated with the reason recorded.

Comparison methods and scope

Each row is one statistic a source reports for one form of rhodiola rosea, group and metal; percentiles, ranges and maxima reported for the same samples as a mean or median are shown on that row. Different forms and preparation states are kept apart, and dry-weight results never share a reference with as-sold or fresh-weight results. Ratings place a result against an HMI reference built from monitoring results and ordinary-setting medians for the same form and basis. Same-study contrasts compare a contaminated or treated site with its control, targeted with random sampling, a prepared form with the unprocessed one, or one group of a study with the median of its other groups. Held rows failed a check against their own source and are shown but not compared.

About this table
Food formCollection scopeFindingComparisonEvidence
Rhodiola rosea findings from monitoring programmes, total diet studies and every extracted field, market and contaminated-site study, in µg/kg with each source’s form, basis, statistic and censoring retained.
Food formCollection scopeFinding (µg/kg)ComparisonEvidence
10 findings · 1 study
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 12024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 22024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 32024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 42024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 52024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 62024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 72024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 32024not detected.
10 findings · 1 study
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 12024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 32024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 42024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 52024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 62024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 72024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 32024not detected.
10 findings · 1 study
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 12024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 22024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 32024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 42024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 52024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 62024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 72024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 32024not detected.
10 findings · 1 study
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 32024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 42024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 52024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 62024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 72024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 32024not detected.
10 findings · 1 study
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 12024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 22024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 32024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 42024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 52024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 62024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026capsule product 72024sample value.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 12024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 22024not detected.
Rhodiola rosea, as soldPorwollik et al. 2026tincture product 32024not detected.
Shared dataset methods and interpretation

Source summaries retain their original statistic, material, basis and censoring. Each source drawer identifies methods and overlapping samples. No matched reference or pooled distribution is inferred.

HMI rhodiola rosea Pb reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rhodiola rosea Pb reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold. Rhodiola rosea, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤527.775.1
Alternative weighting≤527.775.1

10 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Porwollik et al. 202610100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rhodiola rosea, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Porwollik et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for rhodiola rosea, as sold on this basis in the completed rhodiola rosea ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rhodiola-rosea-5e14eab6f0ae:c8719c2a1dac

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI rhodiola rosea Cd reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rhodiola rosea Cd reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold. Rhodiola rosea, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤5≤511
Alternative weighting≤5≤511

10 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Porwollik et al. 202610100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rhodiola rosea, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Porwollik et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for rhodiola rosea, as sold on this basis in the completed rhodiola rosea ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rhodiola-rosea-a3284527ab00:9ca2c3fc102e

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI rhodiola rosea tAs reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rhodiola rosea tAs reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold. Rhodiola rosea, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1038.665.8
Alternative weighting≤1038.665.8

10 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Porwollik et al. 202610100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rhodiola rosea, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Porwollik et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for rhodiola rosea, as sold on this basis in the completed rhodiola rosea ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rhodiola-rosea-7cbed096471e:1faa9dc7613d

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI rhodiola rosea tHg reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rhodiola rosea tHg reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold. Rhodiola rosea, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤5≤5≤5
Alternative weighting≤5≤5≤5

10 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Porwollik et al. 202610100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rhodiola rosea, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Porwollik et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for rhodiola rosea, as sold on this basis in the completed rhodiola rosea ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rhodiola-rosea-2424cadcb6f9:397a932b603c

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

HMI rhodiola rosea Co reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold

Reference and scope

HMI rhodiola rosea Co reference · Rhodiola rosea, as sold. Rhodiola rosea, as sold; As sold, as eaten or fresh weight, µg/kg; no moisture conversion. Distribution of subgroup median concentration values.

Reference (µg/kg)Q1MedianQ3
Primary HMI reference≤1043.6106
Alternative weighting≤1043.6106

10 reference units; 1 sampling family. Counts describe evidence units, not independent studies or certainty.

Contributing familyReference unitsWeight
Porwollik et al. 202610100%

Methods

HMI pools subgroup medians for rhodiola rosea, as sold on a as sold, as eaten or fresh weight basis: monitoring results summarized as one median per reporting region, sampling type and collection year, total diet composites and printed sample values as single observations, and printed subgroup medians from ordinary farms or markets. Each sampling family has equal total weight. Non-detects stay as zero-to-limit intervals, so quartiles carry lower and upper bounds. Means, ranges and maxima never enter as observations. Other forms, other bases, targeted sampling and results from mining, industrial, wastewater-affected, experimental, fertiliser or manufacturer settings are kept out of this reference.

Inverse weighted empirical CDF; midpoint at exact cumulative-weight boundaries. At least four reference units and a definitely positive Q1 to Q3 spread are required. This is a display eligibility rule, not statistical validation.

Limitations

Porwollik et al. 2026 is the only compatible sampling family for rhodiola rosea, as sold on this basis in the completed rhodiola rosea ledger, so this single-family reference cannot represent other markets. Reporting regions and purchase markets are not growing areas. Non-detects with differing limits widen the bounds. A position is descriptive concentration, not a safety or compliance judgment.

Admitted source families

Reference version and interpretation

Frozen evidence selection: 2026-10-22. Method: hmi-pooled-reference-v2.

hmi-pooled-reference-v2:rhodiola-rosea-dea4e6e27c4e:f755cded3f57

The reference is computed by HMI from admitted evidence, not copied from a study baseline. It describes the evidence currently in this scope; it is not a worldwide or current-lot benchmark. Source, year and region filters do not change it. Different HMI scopes are not one common ranking.

1 dataset

How metals reach rhodiola rosea

No study in the library compared rhodiola rosea from contaminated and ordinary settings, so the routes by which metals reach it are not measured here.

Which forms and regions measured lower

The HMI reference for lead in rhodiola rosea, as sold pools 10 subgroup units from 1 sampling family, with a median of 27.7 µg/kg and a middle half spanning below 5 (lower quartile) and 75.1 µg/kg (upper quartile).1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source → For cadmium in rhodiola rosea, as sold, the reference median was below 5 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 5 to 11 µg/kg across 10 units.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source → For total arsenic in rhodiola rosea, as sold, the reference median was 38.6 µg/kg, with a middle half from below 10 to 65.8 µg/kg across 10 units.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

In one study, lead across 7 groups of rhodiola rosea ranged from 9 µg/kg (capsule product 3) to 88 µg/kg (capsule product 4); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

Processing, cooking and preparation

No processing study for metals in this food is in the library yet.

Mitigation for rhodiola rosea

Lot testing against the applicable limit is the check that can be verified.

No measured way to lower metals in this food is in the library yet.

Trade-offs and limits of controls

Metals do not move together, so a lot that passes a lead limit says little about cadmium, arsenic or nickel unless those are tested as well.

Testing rhodiola rosea for metals

Results depend on the method and its reporting limit. Reporting limits for lead were 5 µg/kg where sources stated them.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source → Reporting limits for cadmium were 5 µg/kg where sources stated them.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source → Reporting limits for total arsenic were 10 µg/kg where sources stated them.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

A useful lot result names the form, the basis and a quantification limit well below the limit that applies.

Buying and verifying rhodiola rosea

No maximum level for metals in rhodiola rosea was verified from primary text for this page; buyers should confirm the limit that applies in the destination market.

Exposure from rhodiola rosea

No source in the library converted rhodiola rosea concentrations into a verified estimate of intake for a defined population. Concentrations describe the food, not individual risk.

Evidence review and remaining gaps

Every source record that names rhodiola rosea was decided on its content: 1 occurrence extracted, 1 record in all. The occurrence table renders every extracted result; held values remain visible with their reason.

References identify the sources used in these answers. The Sources index preserves additional discovery links; inclusion there does not mean a source has been reviewed for this assessment. Corrections, completed searches, new direct evidence and changes in requirements should reopen the relevant answer.

Rhodiola rosea FAQs

What heavy metals are found in rhodiola rosea?

The library reports lead, cadmium, total arsenic, total mercury and Co in rhodiola rosea, most often lead, cadmium and total arsenic.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

Which origins or products of rhodiola rosea measured lowest?

In one study, lead across 7 groups of rhodiola rosea ranged from 9 µg/kg (capsule product 3) to 88 µg/kg (capsule product 4); the lowest is the lowest observed in that study, not an established sourcing preference.1Porwollik S, Jafari M · 2026The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPLoS OneRead source →

References

Works cited on this page, in citation-number order. See Sources for this page’s source inventory. Each title links to a source record with bibliographic details, reported findings, and document provenance.

  1. The quality and safety of Rhodiola rosea supplements on the U.S. market: An analysis of biomarkers, heavy metals, and pesticide residuesPorwollik S and Jafari M · PLoS One · 2026 · doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0341070Peer-reviewed

Sources

Browse Rhodiola rosea Sources for sources cited on this page and additional discovery candidates. The searchable index distinguishes verified citation use from discovery relationships whose relevance has not been established.

Update history

22 October 2026: Rebuilt from every rhodiola rosea record in the library: 1 occurrence sources, references by form and basis, same-study contrasts.