Hot Deals on, Original Rhodiola Rosea:   |
Rhodiola Rosea Reference Article Summaries
Rhodiola Rosea is well-documented, as you can see from the following
(1) Rhodiola rosea: a possible plant adaptogen.
By Kelly GS. Altern. Med. Rev. 2001 June, 6(3):293-302.
Rhodiola rosea is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asian with a reputation for stimulating the nervous system, decreasing depression, enhancing work performance, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. Rhodiola rosea has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. It’s claimed benefits include antidepressant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and central nervous system enhancement. Research also indicates great utility in asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep difficulties, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain. The adaptogenic, cardiopulmonary protective, and central nervous system activities of Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence levels and activity of monoamines and opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.
(2) "Plasma beta-endorphin and stress hormones in stress and adaptation."
By Lishmanov IB, Trifonova ZV, Tsibin AN, Maslova LV, Dement'eva LA. Biull Eksp Biol Med 1987; Apr 103(4): 422-4, (Article in Russian).
The experiments on white rats have shown that the induction of 4 hour stress produces an acute increase in beta-endorphin level, as well as characteristic changes in ACTH, cortisol, insulin, thyroxin and triiodothyronine concentrations. Different types of adaptation (training with short stress periods or injection of rhodiola rosea extract) promote a moderate increase in the amount of serum immunoreactive beta-endorphin, preventing its subsequent stress-induced elevation. Adaptation is characterized by a decrease or total prevention of hormonal changes peculiar to stress. The role of opioid neuropeptides in enhancing stress tolerance and the effect of adaptation factors are discussed.
(3) "Arctic root (Rhodiola rosea). The powerful new ginseng alternative"
By Carl Germano, Zakir Ramazanov. Kensington Publishing Corp, NY. 1999, pp. 22.
Exhaustion –With the continuing assault of the stressor, the resistance built up in phase two is lost. The organism is no longer able to resist the stressor. Disease and conditions associated with stress manifest themselves in the exhaustion phase.
(4)Alternative therapies in psychiatry.
By Brown RP, Gerbarg PG, Muskin PR. In: Tasman A, Lieberman J, Kay J (eds.) Psychiatry. Wiley, W. Sussex, UK, 2nd edition, Pg 2165, 2002.
These Doctors & writer have been able to get Rhodiola rosea into psychiatry Second Edition CAM TREATMENTS. The first two lines read… Rhodiola rosea flourishes in the mountains of Eastern Europe, Siberia, and the Far East. It has been used for centuries in Russia and Scandinavian folk medicine…..pg 2166 at the bottom states: It (Rhodiola rosea) has not shown any drug interactions…
(5)“Freeze Dried VS the Spray Dried form of Rhodiola rosea”
Dr. Seifulla Roshen
Experimental Biology and Medicine, 2005, in press. Page 2165, 5th line from the bottom of the right hand column…+2 ½ page article. Russian Center for Professional Sport Education and Training, Institute of Immunopathology, Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Molodogvardeiskaya 46/1, Moscow-121351, Russia
Summary: In this study we investigated the effect of freeze-dried (FDE) and spray-dried (SDE) Rhodiola rosea root extracts, standardized to 3% rosavins and 0.8% salidroside, on swimming time to exhaustion, plasma fatty acids and corticosterone, and muscle glycogen concentration in rats. The two experimental groups of animals received 50mg/kg of either FDE or SDE of R. rosea, administered 30 minutes prior to an exhaustive swimming test. The control group received 50mg/kg maltodextrin. Results revealed quite surprising and dramatic pharmacological differences between the performance enhancing effects of the two types of R. rosea extracts. In the FDE-treated group the swimming time was 15.4±3.2% longer that the SDE-treated group (P < 0.05) and 43±5.5% longer that the control group (p<0.05). Furthermore, after a 30-minute rest, the FDE-treated animals recovered faster and were able to swim for an additional 18.1±3.2 minutes, 27.5% longer than the SDE group’s additional 14.2 ±2.8 minutes, and 74.0% longer than the control group’s additional 10.4 ±3.4 minutes. Predictably, the Swimming to Exhaustion test predictably increased the plasma corticosterone and free fatty acids levels, and reduced the muscle glycogen concentration in all three groups of animals. Although the administration of both SDE and FDE measurably reduced corticosterone in swimming rats from 289.4 ng/ml (placebo) to 254.1ng/ml and 214.3ng/ml, respectively, FDE performed significantly better than the SDE (P<0.05). Furthermore, FDE-treated animals had higher plasma fatty acid levels and spared more muscle glycogen level compare with SDE-treated and placebo group. The main processing difference between spray drying and freeze drying the extract is the relatively brief exposure to heat, at temperatures of 160oC+, (320oF) in spray-drying, compared to no heat exposure in freeze drying. Previous studies have established that the group of rosavins characteristic of extracts of the R. rosea species do, in fact, account for part of the performance-enhancing effects of Rhodiola products. However, since both dried forms of the extract used in this study are standardized to 3% rosavins and 0.8% salidroside, these results clearly suggest that even the relatively brief high temperature exposure of the extract to heat during the spray-drying process is sufficient to degrade or destroy one or more additional key performance-enhancing components in R. rosea extract that have not yet been identified. Consequently, further research is warranted to specifically identify these key additional components.
(6)Rhodiola rosea. A phytomedical overview.
Brown RP, Gerbarg PL, Ramazanov Z. HerbalGram; J. of the American Botanical Council 2002; 56: Pg 48
Clinical Case Studies
The following cases are representative examples of the many clinical situations in which Rhodiola rosea may be beneficial. Although the presentation of individual cases does not carry the weight of double-blind placebo-controlled trials, the authors hope that these samples from their larger case series may help to generate interest and funding for future controlled clinical trials to explore the medical applications of this multipotent medicinal herb. Note that in some cases the patients served as their own controls by discontinuing R. rosea, relapsing, and then improving upon resumption of treatment.
Ms. W., a 45-year-old writer, never quite finished her doctoral thesis. A "block" prevented her from completing any manuscripts for publication. Seven years of psychotherapy did not alleviate the problem. After "drifting" for years and being terrified of taking any more prescription antidepressants, she tried 100 mg extract of R. rosea (Rosavinª, a preparation standardized to 1 percent salidroside and 3 percent rosavin, Ameriden International, Fallbrook, CA) twice a day. Although she had not considered herself to be depressed (and did not meet criteria for dysthymic disorder), within 6 weeks she experienced a new sense of enthusiasm and increased productivity. She became able to complete writing projects and to feel happy with herself. She was well for over two years on R. rosea. However, feeling recovered and happily married, she decided on her own to stop the herbal medicine and gradually relapsed over 6 months. Upon resuming the R. rosea, she again improved with full recovery.
Ms. P., a 50-year-old computer analyst, complained of constant fatigue, dragging herself out of bed every morning, and dreading encounters at work. Because she was highly sensitive to side effects of any psychotropic medication, she began with one pinch (equivalent to about 50 mg) of R. roseaextract (Rosavinª) in her morning tea. Within a few days her fatigue was gone. She had the energy and confidence to deal more effectively with the inevitable conflicts at work.
Ms. B., a 45-year-old mental health professional, had refractory depression and fibromyalgia for 5 years. Her symptoms were completely unresponsive to multiple trials of psychotropic medication. She had a partial response to the antidepressant sertraline (Zoloft¨, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, SSRI), but this was not adequate for her to do more than carry out her daily job. The addition of 600 mg/day R. rosea extract (Rosavinª) enabled her to return to normal enjoyment and full productivity in life. It took about 2 months to see these effects. After 6 months, the patient began to doubt that she needed the R. rosea and discontinued it on her own, only to relapse over the next 3 weeks. Upon reinstitution of the R. rosea, she returned to full remission and remains well 2 years later on sertraline and R. rosea.
Mr. S., a 74-year-old man, had suffered from Parkinson's disease for 10 years. Despite conventional treatment with pramipexole (Mirapex¨), levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet¨), donepezil (Aricept¨), and rivastigmine (Exelon¨) for motoric and cognitive deficits, he was functioning poorly. He spent most of the day sitting in a chair, rarely speaking or initiating any activities. His wife, a practicing neurologist, carefully observed his clinical status and reported that within one week of starting 300 mg R. rosea extract (Rosavinª) twice daily he began to recover with marked progressive improvements in his abilities to think, speak, read, and initiate independent activities. Because of some residual cognitive impairment, galanthus (Galanthus spp., Amaryllidaceae) an herbal extract (customized formula by Ameriden International containing 100 mg R. rosea, 200 mg galanthus, and 50 mg plant cell-derived vitamin C) was added with consequent additional improvement.
Ms. A., an athletic 62-year-old Oriental woman, was diagnosed with infiltrating ductal carcinoma of one breast. She began chemotherapy but suffered extreme fatigue and suppression of her white and red blood cell counts to the point where, despite conventional treatment adjuvants, the chemotherapy regimen had to be repeatedly interrupted. A trial of 150 mg R. rosea extract (Rosavinª) twice daily restored her energy and completely normalized her white and red blood cell counts, allowing completion of chemotherapy. Four months after mastectomy and chemotherapy, Ms. A. resumed her usual rigorous martial arts practice.
(7)"Effective Natural Stress and Weight Management, Using Rhodiola rosea and Rhododendron caucasicum".
By Zakir Ramazanov, Maria del Mar Bernal Suarez. ATN/Safe Goods Publishing, CT. 1999, pp. 88.
Weight loss: page 28 Rhodiola rosea helps eliminate excess fat that has already been absorbed and stored in the body…Pg 29 Remarkably, this important property was discovered in Rhodiola rosea! More than thirty years of research, concealed from Westerners’, provides fascinating evidence that the administration of Rhodiola rosea, to both healthy volunteers and obese patients, specifically activated lipase and mobilized fatty acids from adipose tissue.
(8)The Rhodiola Revolution- Enhance Your Sexual Vitality-To improve sexual desire and response
By Brown RP, Gerbarg P & B. Graham. Rodale Press Inc. 2004, Page 162-173
Chapter 11- Discussion of Rhodiola rosea verses synthetics for men & women in every day use with regards to sexual enhancement or sexual dysfunction in men, includes dosage. Because of Copy write infringements we cannot include complete descriptions. To buy the book click here.
(9)"Herbal Stress Buster"
By Anne Underwood. Newsweek. Feb. 2003.
(10)"Anxious? Stressed?"
By Kathleen Barnes. Woman’s World. Aug. 3, 2004.
(11)"Warming To A Cold War Herb".
By Brian Vestag. Science News. Sept. 22, 2007.
(12)"Disarm Your Anxiety"
By Dr. Keith DeOrio, M.D. Men's Health. March 2008, Pg. 42.
(13)"The Herb That Came In From The Cold".
By Peter Jaret. Alternative Health. Jan. 2005, Pg. 71.
(14)"Rhodiola rosea, Phytochemicals and potential health effects".
Wikipedia article. Accessed 18 Dec. 2009.
Mentions Rosavin as a trademarked brand name of Ameriden, International, Inc.