Rhodiola Rosea

Description
Rhodiola comprises several species of plants in the Crassulacea family – and is generally found in the arctic mountain regions of Siberia. The root of the plant is used medicinally and is also known as "Arctic root" or "Golden root" and more recently as “Crenulin”. Rhodiola has been used for hundreds of years to treat cold and flu-like symptoms, promote longevity and increase the body’s resistance to physical and mental stresses.

Claims

• Promotes weight loss
• Aphrodisiac
• Relieves stress
• Enhances athletic performance
• Tonic for well-being
• Immune enhancer
• Improves cognitive function
• Anti-depressant

Theory
Rhodiola is typically counted among adaptogen herbs and is believed to invigorate the body and mind to increase resistance to a multitude of stresses. The key active constituents in Rhodiola are believed to be rosavin, rosarin, rosin and salidroside.

Scientific Support
In a placebo controlled study of Rhodiola rosea's ability to mobilize fatty acids from adipose tissue, 121 subjects were given either Rhodiola rosea extract or a placebo and their serum lipid levels were tested at rest and after one hour of exercise. The Rhodiola group had 6% greater serum fatty acid levels than the placebo group at rest and 44% greater levels after one hour of exercise. This difference is presumably due to Rhodiola rosea's ability to activate adipose lipase, a key enzyme required to burn the body's fat stores. In an open clinical trial of Rhodiola rosea's ability to alleviate symptoms of depression, 128 patients were given extract of Rhodiola rosea. The Rhodiola rosea extract was effective in reducing or removing symptoms of depression in 65% of the patients. The efficacy of Rhodiola as a medication for erectile dysfunction has also been documented. In one study, 35 men suffering from weak erection, premature ejaculation, or both were treated with 100-150mg Rhodiola rosea extract in an open clinical trial that lasted for three months. 26 of the 35 patients recognized a substantial improvement in sexual function as a result of the treatment. A placebo-controlled study of Rhodiola rosea extract's effects on intellectual performance employed 120 subjects who took a proofreading test. Test subjects took the test both before and after administration of the Rhodiola rosea extract or placebo. The test group experienced significant improvement in their scores while the control group did not. Members of each group were continually tested for their ability to perform on the proofreading test for 24 hours after administration of the extract or placebo. The control group experienced a large increase in the number of errors made in the proofreading test while the group receiving Rhodiola rosea extract experienced performance decline to a much lesser extent.

Safety
Rhodiola rosea extract is thought to be quite safe. There are no known contraindications or interactions with other drugs/herbs, but for some individuals there may be potential for allergic reaction when taking an epimedium herb supplement containing Rhodiola.

Value
Rhodiola rosea extract is valuable as an adaptogen to increase the body's ability to deal with a number of psychological and physiological stresses. Of particular value is the theoretical role for Rhodiola in increasing the body's ability to take up and utilize oxygen - an effect similar to that of Cordyceps, which may explain some of the non-stimulant "energizing" effects attributed to the plant.

Dosage
In treatments for erectile dysfunction, general dosage recommendations for Rhodiola rosea extract are typically in the range of 100-300mg/day.