Rhodiola rosea

? Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root)
Plant Info
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Saxifragales Family: Crassulaceae Genus: Rhodiola Species: R. rosea
Binomial name
Rhodiola rosea L.
Synonyms
Sedum rosea (L.) Scop. Sedum rhodiola DC. Rhodiola arctica Boriss. Rhodiola iremelica Boriss. Rhodiola scopolii Simonk. Sedum scopolii Simonk.

Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root, Roseroot) is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold regions of the world. These include much of the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asia, the Rocky Mountains, and mountainous parts of Europe, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathian Mountains, Scandinavia, Iceland, Great Britain and Ireland.

Uses of Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea is effective for improving mood and alleviating depression. Russian research shows that it improves both physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and prevents high-altitude sickness. In one study, the Rhodiola rosea group decreased proofreading errors by 88% while the control group increased proofreading errors by 84%. Rhodiola rosea's effects are attributed to its ability to optimise serotonin and dopamine levels, due to monoamine oxidase inhibition and to its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.

Substances like these are referred to as adaptogens. They differ from stimulants, and do not have the same health consequences as nicotine, etc.

In Russia, Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life. It has also been used for centuries in Scandinavia, both by the Vikings and the Sámi. Note that Rhodiola is sometimes inappropriately referred to as "Arctic Root®", which is a trademark product name held by the Swedish Herbal Institute for an extract SHR-5 which contains unique Rhodiola rosea extracts tested in human clinical trials. Publication of a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial shows a significant effect for SHR-5 Rhodiola extract in cases of mild-to-moderate depression.

Active ingredients

Rhodiola rosea has some compounds which are not found in other Rhodiola species. These are:

• rosavin (C₂₀H₂₈O₁₀)
• rosarin (C₁₉H₂₆O₁₀)
• rosin (C₁₅H₂₀O₆)

Note that the word rosavins can be used to include rosavin, rosarin, and rosin. Also, the word Rosavin is a brand name.

Rosavin, rosarin, rosin and salidroside (and sometimes p-tyrosol, rhodioniside, rhodiolin and rosiridin) are considered the active ingredients of Rhodiola rosea.

Dosage

Rhodiola rosea extract is mainly used in the form of capsules. These capsules usually contain 100 mg of a standardized amount of 3 percent rosavins and 0.8-1 percent salidroside because the naturally occurring ratio of these compounds in Rhodiola rosea root is approximately 3:1.

A typical dosage is one or two capsules daily; one in the morning and when taking two capsules one in the early afternoon. Rhodiola rosea should be taken early in the day because it can interfere with sleep. If a user becomes overly activated, jittery or agitated then a smaller dose with very gradual increases may be needed. It is contraindicated in excited states.

The dose may be increased to 200 mg three times a day if needed. A high dose is considered to be daily intakes of 1,000 mg and above.

Other adaptogens

• Panax ginseng (Panax Ginseng)
• Panax quinquefolius (American Ginseng)
• Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng)

External links

• Science News Online, Warming to a Cold War Herb
• Third Age, ThirdAge: Rhodiola rosea
• American Botanical Council, Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal Overview
• Whole Health MD, Reference Library
• Alternative Medicine, The Herb that Came In from the Cold

Critical of effects on mountain sickness

• Wilderness Medical Society, Lack of Effect of Rhodiola on Hypoxemia and Oxidative Stress
• Swedish Medical Center, Acute Mountain Sickness