Rhodiola is the Answer to Stress and Anxiety

By Keith Woolley | February 6, 2010

Rhodiola or Rhodiola Rosea root, is a native of arctic Siberia. Historically it has been used by European and Asian peoples to aid physical endurance, work fatigue, extending longevity, giving resistance to altitude sickness, and helping to treat fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments, infections, and nervous system disorders.

The first occurance of a medicinal application of rodia riza Rhodiola Rosea was made by a Greek physician named Dioscorides, in 77 BC in ‘De Materia Medica’. Rhodiola Rosea has been included in official Russian medicine since 1969.

Even despite its very long history, the Western world has only just become aware of the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea. It has come to the attention of many alternative health practitioners because of studies which demonstrated its affects on combating anxiety and stress.

Rhodiola Rosea Root is now considered an adaptogen. This defines how it has an overall stabilizing effect on the body without disrupting other functions. Its ability to normalize hormones in the body suggest it may be effective for treating depression and anxiety.

Studies of Rhodiola Rosea show that it stimulates neurotransmitters and enhances their effects on the brain. This includes the ability for the brain to process serotonin which helps the body to adapt to stress.

Since adaptogens improve the body’s overall ability to handle stress, it has been studied to identify it’s effects on biological, chemical and physical stress.

A study was performed to test the effects of Rhodiola Rosea when stress is caused by mental work (such as exam study). These tests showed that students using Rhodiola Rosea could improve the amount and quality of their work, increasing both mental clarity and reducing the effects of mental fatigue.

The effects of Rhodiola Rosea have also been demonstrated on stress and anxiety from both physical and emotional sources. A report by the American Botanical Council concluded that “Many users find that it (Rhodiola) improves both their mood, energy level, and mental clarity.” They also reported on a study that indicated Rhodiola Rosea could increase stress tolerance while at the same time protecting the brain and heart from the physical affects of stress.

This report included details of studies which highlight the overall health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea.

The generally accepted recommended dose is 200-600mg/day. The active properties should be a minimum 0.8 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin.

It is important that anyone considering taking Rhodiola, should enquire more about how it may be sold, as using other species that do not share the properties of Rhodiola Rosea will be at ineffective strengths for treatment.

The more authentic information about Rhodiola you know, the more likely people are to consider you a Rhodiola expert. Read on for even more Rhodiola facts that you can share.

Keith Woolley is Herbal Advisor of Boots Herbal Stores, in the United Kingdom. Rhodiola Rosea is one of the herbs that is now realising world wide attention. For Research on Rhodiola Rosea Click Here. Again, beware of poor brands and potencies that will be effective.

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