Versatile Benefits of
Rhodiola Rosea Root
The benefits of Rhodiola Rosea root include:
- greater energy, endurance and stamina,
- greater mental clarity, memory and alertness,
- greater confidence optimism and self esteem,
- enhanced immune system functioning,
- improved cardiovascular health, regularity of heart beat and more.
It is classified as an adaptogen since it is generally safe and tends to bring a person’s biological system back into balance.
Rhodiola Rosea and Stress Relief
Rhodiola Rosea root is often used for stress relief. It encourages a healthy stress response to physical, mental and emotional challenges.
Rhodiola appears to:
- help the body become more resistant to stress and
- enables the body to adapt more effectively to challenging circumstances and also
- helps the body to recover from fatigue and other symptoms associated with chronic stress or adrenal exhaustion.
The stress response affects many hormones and brain chemicals such as cortisol, dopamine and serotonin.
Research indicates that the adaptogenic qualities of Rhodiola Rosea root help to bring these stress hormones and neurotransmitters back into healthy balance.
How to Use
Rhodiola Rosea root is often used as an extract, an herbal infusion and in capsule form.
In Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength Stamina and Stress Relief, David Winston and Steve Maimes suggest:
- a dosage of Rhodiola Rosea extract tincture
40 – 60 drops three times per day,or - one to three cups per day of herbal decoction. (Use one to two teaspoons of cut dried root. Simmer in 8 to 10 ounces of water and then allow to steep for another 45 minutes before drinking.)
It is also available in Health Food stores as a Liquid Phytocap from Gaia Herbs. Liquid Phytocaps combine the convenience of capsules with the absorbability of liquid.
For optimum benefits, be sure the herb you are taking is Rhodiola Rosea and not one of the other, less effective varieties of Rhodiola.
Safety
Rhodiola Rosea has been used in the folk medicine and herbal traditions of the Scandinavian countries and Russia for hundreds of years.
One of the significant benefits of Rhodiola Rosea is its very low levels of toxicity. Rhodiola Rosea is generally considered safe at normal dosages. Rhodiola side effects are few.
It is not recommended for people who are bipolar, manic, paranoid, or during pregnancy or lactation. Some very sensitive individuals may experience agitation or jitters, requiring a reduced dosage. It is usually best taken earlier in the day.
However please consult with your licensed health care provider for advice which is safe and suitable for your body.
Rhodiola Rosea Studies
There is a growing body of research on the benefits of Rhodiola. Over 180 studies have been done documenting the clinical use of Rhodiola Rosea root.
Many of these studies were done in Russia and the Scandinavian countries. The great majority of these have not been translated into English.
However more scientific
studies on both human and animal subjects continue to be done due to the
promising adaptogenic qualities of this herb.
Rhodiola Rosea Root Cultivation
Rhodiola Rosea grows naturally in the high altitudes of the arctic regions of Europe and Asia including the harsh climates of Scandinavia, Tibet, Siberia and China. It thrives with full sun, cool temperatures and sandy dry soil.
The plant is a member of the Crassulaceae family and is commonly know as Golden Root, Rose Root or Hong Jing Tian. Rhodiola produces a lovely yellow flower and generally grows 12 to 30 inches high.
Read about many other adaptogenic plants you can use for
herbal stress relief, or
Return to Gentle Stress Relief home page.
Sources:
American Botanical Council. 2002. “Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview.” http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2333
Winston, David and Maimes, Steven. 2007. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press
Scalzo, Richard and Cruz, Omar. Traditional Medicines from the Earth. 2002-2007. Brevard, North Carolina: Herbal Research Publications