Roseroot — also called Rhodiola — is a plant that has been used in medicine for a variety of conditions.

A pilot study from the University of Pennsylvania offers support for the possibility that it may improve depression.

Dr. Jun Mao and his colleagues compared roseroot to the antidepressant sertraline and placebo in 57 patients with depression.

After three months, the antidepressant as well as roseroot reduced depression symptoms compared with placebo, but side effects such as sexual dysfunction or nausea were fewer in patients taking the herbal treatment.