Rhodiola Rosea for Mental and Physical Fatigue

• Health-related quality of life [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  The health-related quality of life, RAND-36 will also assess physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional problems, social function, emotional well-being,and general health perceptions
• Individualized Outcomes [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profiles to measure change in items of importance to the participant, as identified by the participant.
• Adaptive Capacity [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Adaptive Capacity Index - 21 item questionnaire to measure a subject's ability to adapt to stressors
• Adverse Event Monitoring [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  number of patients with any untoward medical occurance as a measure of safety

• Health-related quality of life [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  RAND-36 will also assess physical functioning, role limitations caused by physical health problems, role limitations caused by emotional problems, social function, emotional well-being,and general health perceptions
• Individualized Outcomes [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Measure Yourself Medical Outcomes Profiles to measure change in items of importance to the participant, as identified by the participant.
• Adaptive Capacity [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Adaptive Capacity Index - 21 item questionnaire to measure a subject's ability to adapt to stressors
• Adverse Event Monitoring [ Time Frame: 42 days ] [ Designated as safety issue: Yes ]
  any untoward medical occurance

The primary objective of this trial is to assess whether Rhodiola rosea improves fatigue when compared to placebo in nurses involved in shift work.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Fourth year nursing students enrolled in NURS 495 (Nursing Practice)
• Participating in permanent overnight (between 11 pm and 7 am) or rotating shift work
• otherwise healthy
• consent to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• nurses aged 18 years or younger
• breastfeeding or pregnant women, as confirmed by a blood test
• female participants with child bearing potential not practicing a form of birth control throughout the trial
• presence of a primary medical condition associated with fatigue (e.g. cardiac, gastrointestinal, respiratory, renal, rheumatologic, or oncologic disease)
• presence of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dementia, eating disorders, insomnia or substance abuse
• presence of diabetes
• concurrent utilization of hypoglycaemic or agents for raising or lowering blood pressure
• known allergy or hypersensitivity to Rhodiola rosea or Sedum family extracts or pollen
• know allergy to microcrystalline cellulose or silicone dioxide
• concurrent utilization of stimulant drug such as methylphenidate (Ritalin), amphetamine (Dexedrine, Adderall), methamphetamine (Desoxyn) and pemoline (Cylert)
• concurrent utilization of other rhodiola or ginseng products (both fall in the same therapeutic category known as an "adaptogen")
• any significant medical condition
• any neurological or mental health condition
• taking medication that has central nervous system effects
• aged 55 years or older
• low blood pressure or history of significant dizziness