Rhodiola Rosea

Rhodiola has long been used in traditional medicine, primarily in Russia and Scandinavia. Rhodiola used to enhance physical strength and endurance as a tonic herb in many countries including Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia and other European countries. It was commonly used to fight fatigue, enhance mental function, increase general wellness, improve sports performance and enhance sex drive. In China, rhodiola rosea (Hong Jing Tian) had been sued for thousands of year and descript as it “Acclimates to the heaven to enhance the primary aspect of human body’, a superb class of medicine. There are some 90 species of rhodiola, but it is the fragrant root of the species Rhodiola rosea that is used medically. Rhodiola contains a number of potentially active compounds, including phenylpropanoids (rosavin, rosin, rosarin), phenylethanol (salidroside, tyrosol), flavonoids, monoterpenes, triterpenes, and phenolic acids. The presence of rosavin distinguishes the species R. rosea from other rhodiloas. Products are standardized to rosavin content to ensure that they contain the proper species.

How it works:

  • Adaptogen. Help the body adapt to stresses of various kinds, whether heat, cold, exertion, trauma, sleep deprivation, toxic exposure, radiation, infection, or psychological stress.
  • Anti-oxidant. Protects the liver from damages caused by a lipid type of peroxide.
  • Adjusts the blood flow of the central nervous system. Increase oxygen carrying blood to the brain, help to repair the damages cause by drug, alcohol, or hypoxia.
  • Improve exercise endurance. Activate the synthesis or re-synthesis of ATP in mitochondria which acts as the main energy source for majority cellular functions and is essential for locomotion and respiration.

 Positive Effects:

  • Increase general wellness.
  • Enhance mental function, and improve memory.
  • Reverse fatigue.
  • Improve exercise endurance.
  • Lower blood sugar.
  • Enhance sex drive.
  • Help prevent strokes caused by hypertension.
  • Might help preventing altitude sickness.
  • Protect liver from damage and might aid cancer chemotherapy.

Safety:

Rhodiola has a history of centuries of fold use and has been the subject of many clinical studies. No side effects or interactions have been reported.

 References:

  • Darbinyan V, Kteyan A Panossian A, et al.  Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue – a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:365-371. 
  • Spasov AA, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine. 2000;7:85-89 
  • Shevtsov VA, Et al. A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiolarosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomeicine. 2003;10:95-105. 
  • Abidov, M. et al. Effects of extracts from rhodiola rosea and rhodiola crenulata (crassulaceae)
  • roots on ATP content in mitochondria of skeletal muscles. Bull. Exp. Biol. Med. 136, 585-587 (2003) 
  • De Bock K, et al. Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004;14:298-307. 
  • Fintelmann V, Gruenwald J. Efficacy and tolerability of a rhodiola rosea extract in adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies. Adv Ther. 2007;24:929=939.