October 28, 2003

Newsletter #46

A LITTLE HELP IN HARD TIMES

Rhodiola is attracting a lot of attention--and for good reason

By: Tori Hudson, ND

TIRED? DEPRESSED? STRESSED OUT? Troubled by tension headaches or sleep disturbances? Worried about your memory? A little-known herb, rhodiola (R. rosea) may be an excellent solution for these common problems of modern life.

Known as golden root, rhodiola has enjoyed centuries of use in eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and Asia, even though it remained largely unknown in the West until recently. Traditionally, this herb was recommended in folk medicine to increase stamina, productivity, and longevity and to combat altitude sickness, anemia, depression, impotence, infections, and disorders of the nervous system.

Believing that rhodiola could enhance fertility, young Siberian couples carried rhodiola roots in bouquets prior to marriage. Rhodiola tea was taken for colds and flu during harsh Asian winters. Highly coveted in trade, this herb was exchanged for fine wines, fruits, and honey. The Vikings attributed their famous physical strength and endurance to rhodiola.

ITS USES TODAY

The folklore surrounding rhodiola led to the first investigations of its phytochemistry in the early 1960's, when scientists identified adaptogenic compounds in its roots. These adaptogens (believed to help the body adapt to stress by supporting the adrenal glands and endocrine system), as well as the antioxidant and stimulating compounds later discovered in rhodiola, are responsible for its medicinal properties.

The root of R. rosea has six specific groups of chemical compounds, but most researchers would agree that the most important are the rosavins, which include rosavin, rosin, and rosarin. The rosavins are most often selected as the marker compounds for standardization of rhodiola extracts. But these substances are not necessarily the only pharmacologically active ingredients responsible for this herb's medicinal properties.

HOW RHODIOLA WORKS

This herb's effects on the levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters found in different structures in the brain) influence the central nervous system and help the body adapt to stress. It's possible that rhodiola inhibits the breakdown of these chemicals and facilitates neurotransmitter transport within the brain. In addition to its impact on the central nervous system, this herb appears to increase the chemicals that provide energy to the muscle of the heart and to prevent the depletion of adrenal hormones induced by acute stress.

While much of the scientific research on rhodiola has yet to be translated into English, a number of laboratory, animal, and human studies suggest important activities in a variety of bodily functions:

• Central Nervous System. Historically, rhodiola was observed to act as a tonic, increasing attention span, memory, and work performance. Two human studies have shown that individuals experiencing fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and reduced work capacity responded favorably to a rhodiola dose of 50 mg threee times a day.

In another human study of 128 patients aged 17 to 55, rhodiola alleviated weakness and fatigue, irritability, and headache in 64 percent of the cases. Research on students, physicians, and scientists given rhodiola for two to three weeks beginning several days before periods of intense intellectual work (exams, for example) found that the subjects produced more and better work without fatigue, Medical students who took a rhodiola extract for 20 days experienced significantly less mental fatigue, plus improved well-being and overall fitness, and even received better grades on their final exams.

In addition, studies report that Rhodiola rosea can help with depressive syndromes, memory loss, anxiety,

cognitive dysfunction, and menopause-related symptoms. Other research suggests that this herb may be

useful for conditions that don't respond to ginseng.

· Cardiovascular System and Work Capacity. Several studies have shown that rhodiola increased physical work capacity and significantly shortened the recovery time between bouts of intense exercise. In one study, work capacity was increased by 9 percent, and the pulse slowed to normal much more quickly. Biathletes who took rhodiola in one study demonstrated improved coordination and target-shooting accuracy than the control subjects, with significantly fewer arm tremors. Improved recovery time, strength, endurance, and cardiovascular measurements were also recorded for those who took rhodiola.

While researchers are not really sure what produced theses effects, animal studies suggest that rhodiola increases essential energy metabolites in muscle and brain cells. It may also enhance the metabolism of fats.

• Endocrine System. Animal studies investigating the effect of rhodiola on thyroid and adrenal function and on ovarian egg maturatioin have raised interest in rhodiola for endocrine problems in humans. Forty women suffering from amenorrhea (lack of menstrual cycles) were given either 100 mg of rhodiola extract twice daily for two weeks or an injection for 10 days. In some women, the regimen was repeated up to four times. Remarkably, normal menses were restored in 25 women, 11 of whom became pregnant.

One physician has reported cases of women--who had failed to conceive with standard fertility drug--becoming pregnant within several months after beginning to take Rhodiola rosea extract.

This would be truly a remarkable contribution to women's health, if follow-up in controlled clinical trials

confirm these finding. For men, 73 percent of study subjects with erectile dysfunction and/or premature

ejaculation showed significantly improved sexual function after taking R.. rosea (150-200 mg/day for three

months).

HOW SAFE IS THIS HERB?

Rhodiola shows very low toxicity in animal studies. An equivalent lethal dose for humans is estimated to be about 235,000 mg (235gm), while the typical daily dose for chronic problems is only 360-600 mg per day--a difference that provides a large margin of safety. For those who want to use this herb prior to an academic exam or an athletic competition, take at least 100mg of a 3 percent rosamin extract one to threee times daily.

Overall, very few side effects have been reported. Some people may become agitated or irritable when using this herb. Since it may interfere with sleep in some individuals, it's best taken early in the day. Rhodiola is not recommended for anyone with bipolar disorder. Since no research has been conducted during pregnancy and lactation, it's not advised to use this herb during these times.

Rhodiola shows surprising versatility within the nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and musculoskeletal system. At a time of growing emotional stress, as well as heavier work loads and greater exposure to stressors form environmental toxins and rising healthcare costs, it's worth considering such a multipurpose, inexpensive herb, especially since it also appears so safe.

Many individuals may see an improvement in their mood, energy level, mental capacity, memory, stamina, and/or endurance within two to six weeks. Further research in areas including attention deficit disorder, brain injuries, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, dementia, fibromyalgia, infertility, menstrual abnormalities, post-traumatic stress disorder, and sports performance may also be promising.

Author of theWomen's Encycolpedia of Natural Medicine, Tori Hudson, ND, is professor of gynecology at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon.

SELECTED SOURCES

· "A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Stury of the Stimulating and Adaptogenic Effect of Rhodiola rosea… on the Fatigue of Students Caused by Stress…" by A.A. Spasov

· "A Randomized Trial of Two Different Doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea Extract versus Placebo and Control of Capacity for Mental Work: by V.A. Shevtsov

· "Rhodiola rosea: a Phytomedicinal Overview" by G.S. Kelly

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