Overview
Rhodiola rosea — The world seen through rose-tinted glasses can become real.
Rhodiola rosea is a plant native to high-latitude mountains
in Europe and Asia. During several decades of research in Russia
and Ukraine its constituents and actions have been explored in
lab animals and humans and a number of active components have
been identified.
Rhodiola rosea has been reported to offer resistance against physical, chemical, and biological stressors — such as exercise,
mental work, lack of sleep, and disease. Studies have shown that Rhodiola supplements result in
- improvements in physical fitness
- better sleep patterns
- enhanced mental performance
- higher motivation
- improved mood
- increased libido in both sexes.
Animal studies have suggested that Rhodiola may have cardioprotective and anticancer effects, as well.
A dose of approximately 120-200 mg daily is recommended,
preferably beginning several weeks prior to a period of stress. Three
times that amount is suggested when usage is begun immediately
before or during a stressful activity. The dosages required
for cognitive or libido enhancement are also in the 100-200 mg
range.
Read Rhodiola rosea Monograph
Rhodiola rosea
is a plant native to high-latitude mountains in Europe and Asia. During
several decades of research in Russia and Ukraine its constituents and
actions have been explored in lab animals and humans. Active compounds
identified in Rhodiola species include rhodioniside, rhodiolin, rosin,
rosavin, rosarin, and rosiridin.
Rhodiola rosea species have been
reported to offer generalized resistance against physical, chemical,
and biological stressors — such as exercise, mental work, lack of
sleep, and disease. For example, in a study of medical students during
an exam period, those who used a Rhodiola extract showed improvements
in physical fitness, sleep patterns, mental performance, motivation,
and mood. Animal studies have suggested that Rhodiola may have
cardioprotective and anticancer effects, as well.
(Russian researchers coined the word
“adaptogen” for substances that supposedly have nonspecific anti-stress
properties. The term, however, is misleading in that it masks the fact
that the substances actually act by quite specific mechanisms that have
yet to be understood in detail.)
Rhodiola supplementation is also an
effective elevator of libido in both sexes, according to psychiatrists
at Columbia University.
A dose of approximately 120-200 mg daily of a Rhodiola rosea
extract standardized for 3% rosavin has been suggested, preferably
beginning several weeks prior to a period of stress. Three times that
amount is suggested when usage is begun immediately before or during a
stressful activity. The dosages required for cognitive or libido
enhancement have not been systematically studied, but are probably also
in the 100-200 mg range.
