Rhodiola Rosea

LATIN NAME:

Rhodiola rosea and Sedum roseum

( a.k.a. Arctic Root, Golden Root and Roseroot )

Before I begin to give you information on this wonderful herb, I want you to know that this is one that I have tried and am still using. I had terrible insomnia and after trying several prescriptions and over the counter pills that did nothing but lighten my wallet, Rhodiola Rosea worked for me.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

Rhodiola is a small perennial plant that grows to about three feet tall. It has unbranched stems surrounded by fleshy, alternate leaves and at the end of the stems, small flowers that are usually red, pink, yellowish, or pale-green in color. The flowers appear from spring through summer and small, deep brown fruit that contain seeds are produced.

Rhodiola rosea is native to the Himalaya and grows in the coldest regions of the world. It grows in the Northern Hemisphere at high elevations in the mountains of Central Asia, the mountainous parts of Europe, the Rocky Mountains in North America, Iceland, Great Britain, and Ireland.

Rhodiola is still being researched here in the United States, but research has been done on it since the mid-1960’s in Russia. The studies have been published in Russian and rarely translated to English. Rhodiola has been dubbed an adaptogen by Russian science.

It is a herb that helps the body and brain cells “adapt” to and resist physical, chemical and environmental stress. Adaptogens also help the body by normalizing the immune system and certain hormone levels in a positive way to bring them into balance.

Rhodiola rosea is a herb that allows natural tryptophan in the body to cross the blood brain barrier turning into serotonin; it stabilizes levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, naturally increasing levels of dopamine, tryptophan and norepinephrine.

Rhodiola rosea is not an SSRI like St. John’s Wort, but it can be used with other MAO inhibitors because it has a synergistic effect with other antidepressant drugs. Rhodiola’s antioxidant properties protect the nervous system from damage caused by free radicals.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* alleviating irritability, headache, poor appetite

* depression

* fatigue

* anemia

* cardiovascular disease

* impotence

* gastrointestinal ailment

* nervous system disorders

* attention deficit disorder

* disorders related to menopause

* traumatic brain injury

* Parkinson’s disease

* fibromayalgia

* post-traumatic stress disorder

* side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy

* erectile dysfunction and/or premature ejaculation

* regulate and repair the endocrine system

BENEFITS OF:

* increases energy and stamina

* stabilizes depressive moods

* help with weight loss

Extremely Beneficial For:

* treating depression

* anxiety

* stress

* chronic fatigue

* neurological disorders

* sexual dysfunction

* hormonal imbalances

* insomnia

* enhancing mental and physical performance under stress

* ADHD

* strengthening the brain

* enhancing the immune system

* enhancing overall health

PREPARATIONS AND DOSAGES:

Over the counter:

Rhodiola rosea is available as a root extract in pill form, liquid extract and as a tea in health food stores. The most potent of Rhodiola supplements is the type in which, the root of the plant, from which the greatest benefit comes from, is water extracted and freeze-dried.

Rhodiola is also alcohol extracted and heat dried, which is the most common form of processing, you’ll need to ingest 2-3 times the amount of the herb to get the same benefit.

Do not use Rhodiola late in the day because if can interfere with sleep or cause vivid dreams during the first month of use.

Capsules: Take 1 to 3 100-mg capsules two to three times per day on an empty stomach, about 15 to 30 minutes before breakfast and lunch. Capsules are the most commonly form of Rhodiola supplement used.

Liquid extract: Use 5 to 10 drops for add benefits involving attention span or memory. In the treatment of psychiatric disorders, doses should start low and gradually increased to larger amounts, such as 30 to 40 drops of liquid extract twice per day.

Parts used: Root, stem, leaves, flower, seeds

Constituents: Salidroside, rosavin, rosin, restrain crenulatin, rhodosin, tyrosol, pyridride, quercetin

Actions: Tonic, antioxidant, stimulant

SIDE EFFECTS:

None expected.

* There have been no side effects or interactions reported from the many clinical studies done.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

* Rhodiola rosea should not be taken during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.

* Insomnia may be a risk with high doses. A high dose of rhodiola is considered to be daily intakes of 1,500 to 2,000 mg.

* Heightened dreams and agitations are common in the first month of taking.