Herbs
Rhodiola Rosea: The Stress Fighting Herb
Date: 19/09/07
Rhodiola rosea is a perennial plant with yellow or red flowers that grows in cold, mountainous regions of the world. It is held in high regard in Russia, where it is more commonly referred to as Golden root, due to the fact that it has been used for centuries to help people cope with the harsh Siberian climate and inhospitable conditions.
It is what herbalists class as an adaptogen a herbal remedy that helps promote balance and which is particularly effective at helping to reduce stress levels whilst simultaneously boosting energy and endurance levels.
Like other adaptogens, rhodiola works by regulating hormones, such as cortisol, that are produced in high amounts by your body in response to a stressful event. While this is a good thing initially for helping you deal with the short-term demands of stress, continual high levels of this hormone resulting from long-term stress can have a detrimental effect on your health. This is because high levels of cortisol can cause weight gain, high blood sugar levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Rhodiola has been shown to help reduce these risks by limiting the cortisol damage to your cells (Eksp Klin Farmacol 1994,57(6):61-66).
In fact, rhodiola is fast proving to be one of the most promising adaptogens and is commonly used by Russian athletes to boost their stamina, fight fatigue and help them stay mentally alert and focused. The plant also has many other benefits and has been found to improve cognitive function and memory, promote restful sleep, and speed-up the recovery process following an operation or illness.
Studies reveal that rhodiola may help protect against cancer
It is the high concentration of plant chemicals called salidrosides and rosavins in rhodiola, which are thought to be largely responsible for its numerous health-giving properties. Rosavins in particular are known to be extremely effective at fighting several toxins that are found in the environment or are produced by your body in response to stress (J Chromatogr A. 2005 Dec 9; [Epub ahead of print]).
Research findings from the Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Urbino in Italy, have helped shed some light on how rhodiola is effective against outside stressors. The scientists found that the plant is an antioxidant that helps protect red blood cells from environmental toxins, such as heavy metals and free radicals, that are known to damage them (Eur J Histochem. 2005 Jul-Sep;49(3):243-54).
Further exciting research conducted at the Department of Plant Morphogenesis, Warsaw University in Poland, suggests that rhodiola may also protect human tissue against cancer.
Not only did the scientists find that the plant helps shield DNA against several toxins implicated in causing cancer, their findings also indicated that the plant may help the body eliminate cancerous cells that are already present (J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103(1):43-52). Further research is now needed to confirm these findings and NHR promises to keep you fully updated as soon as more evidence is gathered in this area.
Speed up your recovery time from serious infections like pneumonia
The plant has also been found to be effective against several types of infections. In one study, scientists from the Department of Family Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, in Armenia, found that rhodiola, in addition to other adaptogens, can speed up the recovery time from pneumonia.
The scientists gave a concoction of rhodiola extract, along with Eleutherococcus and Schisandra (both are well known adaptogens), over the course of two weeks to a group of 30 patients suffering with pneumonia who were aged between 18 and 65. This group was compared to another group of 60 pneumonia patients who where treated with standard antibiotics for the same amount of time.
At the end of the two weeks, the researchers found that the group treated with the adaptogens felt much better, both physically and psychologically, compared to the group treated with the antibiotics. In addition to this greater sense of overall well being, the patients taking the adaptogens recovered far more quickly than the antibiotic group.
Commenting on the findings, the scientists concluded: Both the clinical and laboratory results of our study suggest that ...these adaptogens can be recommended in the standard treatment of patients with acute pneumonia as an adjuvant to increase the quality of life and to speed up the recovery of patients(Phytomedicine. 2005;12(10):723-9).
What to take for best results
It is important to be aware that there are currently some rhodiola rosea products on the market that are not as strong or effective as claimed on the label. The reason for this is that the plant is very sensitive to changes in temperature, cultivation and collection methods, and is liable to over-drying.
To obtain the maximum benefits to your health therefore, it is important to take a standardised extract of the plant, as this guarantees that the strength of the preparation is constant in every tablet. So make sure you check the products label for the concentration of the active ingredients: the preparation should contain approximately 3 percent rosavins and 1 percent salidroside as mentioned earlier they are believed to be the two most important ingredients in rhodiola, which are responsible for its anti-stress properties (Phytother Res. 2005;19(9):740-3).
Take 200mg to 600mg of standardised rhodiola rosea root extract per day. It is best to take the tablets before meals and with water.
No harmful side effects or interactions have been reported following its use, but as a precaution it is best not to take rhodiola during pregnancy or while breast-feeding as no studies have been conducted as yet to confirm its safety in these areas.
Back to topIt is what herbalists class as an adaptogen a herbal remedy that helps promote balance and which is particularly effective at helping to reduce stress levels whilst simultaneously boosting energy and endurance levels.
Like other adaptogens, rhodiola works by regulating hormones, such as cortisol, that are produced in high amounts by your body in response to a stressful event. While this is a good thing initially for helping you deal with the short-term demands of stress, continual high levels of this hormone resulting from long-term stress can have a detrimental effect on your health. This is because high levels of cortisol can cause weight gain, high blood sugar levels and increase your risk of heart disease. Rhodiola has been shown to help reduce these risks by limiting the cortisol damage to your cells (Eksp Klin Farmacol 1994,57(6):61-66).
In fact, rhodiola is fast proving to be one of the most promising adaptogens and is commonly used by Russian athletes to boost their stamina, fight fatigue and help them stay mentally alert and focused. The plant also has many other benefits and has been found to improve cognitive function and memory, promote restful sleep, and speed-up the recovery process following an operation or illness.
Studies reveal that rhodiola may help protect against cancer
It is the high concentration of plant chemicals called salidrosides and rosavins in rhodiola, which are thought to be largely responsible for its numerous health-giving properties. Rosavins in particular are known to be extremely effective at fighting several toxins that are found in the environment or are produced by your body in response to stress (J Chromatogr A. 2005 Dec 9; [Epub ahead of print]).
Research findings from the Institute of Biological Chemistry, University of Urbino in Italy, have helped shed some light on how rhodiola is effective against outside stressors. The scientists found that the plant is an antioxidant that helps protect red blood cells from environmental toxins, such as heavy metals and free radicals, that are known to damage them (Eur J Histochem. 2005 Jul-Sep;49(3):243-54).
Further exciting research conducted at the Department of Plant Morphogenesis, Warsaw University in Poland, suggests that rhodiola may also protect human tissue against cancer.
Not only did the scientists find that the plant helps shield DNA against several toxins implicated in causing cancer, their findings also indicated that the plant may help the body eliminate cancerous cells that are already present (J Ethnopharmacol. 2006;103(1):43-52). Further research is now needed to confirm these findings and NHR promises to keep you fully updated as soon as more evidence is gathered in this area.
Speed up your recovery time from serious infections like pneumonia
The plant has also been found to be effective against several types of infections. In one study, scientists from the Department of Family Medicine, Yerevan State Medical University, in Armenia, found that rhodiola, in addition to other adaptogens, can speed up the recovery time from pneumonia.
The scientists gave a concoction of rhodiola extract, along with Eleutherococcus and Schisandra (both are well known adaptogens), over the course of two weeks to a group of 30 patients suffering with pneumonia who were aged between 18 and 65. This group was compared to another group of 60 pneumonia patients who where treated with standard antibiotics for the same amount of time.
At the end of the two weeks, the researchers found that the group treated with the adaptogens felt much better, both physically and psychologically, compared to the group treated with the antibiotics. In addition to this greater sense of overall well being, the patients taking the adaptogens recovered far more quickly than the antibiotic group.
Commenting on the findings, the scientists concluded: Both the clinical and laboratory results of our study suggest that ...these adaptogens can be recommended in the standard treatment of patients with acute pneumonia as an adjuvant to increase the quality of life and to speed up the recovery of patients(Phytomedicine. 2005;12(10):723-9).
What to take for best results
It is important to be aware that there are currently some rhodiola rosea products on the market that are not as strong or effective as claimed on the label. The reason for this is that the plant is very sensitive to changes in temperature, cultivation and collection methods, and is liable to over-drying.
To obtain the maximum benefits to your health therefore, it is important to take a standardised extract of the plant, as this guarantees that the strength of the preparation is constant in every tablet. So make sure you check the products label for the concentration of the active ingredients: the preparation should contain approximately 3 percent rosavins and 1 percent salidroside as mentioned earlier they are believed to be the two most important ingredients in rhodiola, which are responsible for its anti-stress properties (Phytother Res. 2005;19(9):740-3).
Take 200mg to 600mg of standardised rhodiola rosea root extract per day. It is best to take the tablets before meals and with water.
No harmful side effects or interactions have been reported following its use, but as a precaution it is best not to take rhodiola during pregnancy or while breast-feeding as no studies have been conducted as yet to confirm its safety in these areas.
Click here to send to a friendShare thisPrinter friendly version
