RHODIOLA–Rodia
Riza, Rhodiola Rosea, Rhodiola Crenulata, Rhodiola Heterodonta, Rhodiola Sacra,
Rhodiola Quadrifida, Rhodiola Rhodantha, Rhodiola Semenovii, etc.
Also
known as: Golden Root,
Roseroot, Artic Root, King’s Crown, Orpin Rose, Stone Crop, etc.
Parts
used: leaves, root, stems, shoots
Systems/organs
affected: heart,
brain, immune, reproductive, digestive, thyroid, nervous, etc.
Properties: adaptogenic, antioxidant, anti-depressant,
anti-tumor, immune enhancing,
stimulant, anti-toxic, anti-carcinogenic,
anti-aging, cardio-protective, anti-mutagenic, tonic, edible, adrenal
protectant, anti-fatigue, neuroprotective, neuro-regenerative, mitochondrial
protectant, hippocampal protectant, antiviral, antibacterial, etc.
Rhodiola is a member of the
Crassulaceae (Stone Crop) family. There
are about 60-90 varieties of this species around the globe. It is a rather hardy perennial that grows in
cold areas like Siberia, the northern regions of the usa and Europe as well as
the northern parts of Asia, Britain and Tibet.
It has a golden colored root that is said to smell like roses and has
several stems that grow upward out of said root. They have grayish-green leaves and clusters
of flowers that are either pink, orange, yellow or red depending on the
variety. (Rhodiola Rosea is yellow in color).
It can get up to a foot tall and can have a large root system if the
soil conditions are right. There are
three species found in North America, two of which are located on the north
east region of the united states and continue all the way to the Artic
circle. The other is located in the
Rocky Mountains (rhodiola rhodantha) and also goes all the way to the
Artic. The north east varieties are
considered endangered. (Given the face
we live in a prime area to grow this kind of plant-one should consider doing
so). The root is what is used
medicinally and should be harvested in the spring when it is most potent. The shoots, leaves and stems are all edible
and have a slightly pungent/bitter taste to them that add to salads, soups,
etc. Rhodiola rosea is the most commonly
used variety for medicine (and some say the ONLY one that should be used while
others say all varieties work….I say it depends on the region it is grown in as
to its true potential as a medicinal.
The kind in this region should work well for US).
Let me make a case here for adaptogens. Adaptogens are special in that they are
capable of giving your body exactly what it needs when it needs it. If there are any class of herbs you should
keep for emergencies, this would be the class due to their ability to read your
body’s needs at the time. Think of
adaptogens as the plants ‘most likely to succeed.’ Rhodiola is an adaptogen that has the added
ability of surviving some of the world’s harshest conditions. This makes it a very powerful ally indeed. (Some practitioners refer to this plant as a
‘Magic Bullet’).
Rhodiola has a legendary
background. Dioscorides wrote about it
in ‘De Materia Medica’ (circa 77 AD) which he referred to as rodia riza. In central Asia the tea has been used for
millennia to treat colds and flu. The
Vikings used the plant to enhance strength and endurance. The Mongolians used it for cancer and
tuberculosis and Chinese Emperors sent scores of expeditions out to gather the
golden root to be used in medicinal formulations. The Russians have known of its ability for
ages but kept it rather secret until it finally hit the western world around
1994. The Russians used it to enhance
athletic performance, work performance, to decrease depression, stimulate the
nervous system and to combat fatigue.
Snice coming to the attention of western medicine a number of studies
have been conducted on this plant to ascertain its benefits.
In vitro studies have found
compounds in rhodiola that protect neurons from damage caused by hypoglycemia
and hypoxia. In vivo studies found that
it enhances and protects the hippocampus (remember the hippocampus is
responsible for long term memory). In
one study, forty students were either given a placebo or 50 mg of rhodiola
extract twice a day for 20 days. Those
who received the extract had significantly less mental fatigue, improved study
habits, improved sleep patterns and an overall sense of well being. Their test scores also showed a marked
improvement.
In animal studies rhodiola
extract was found to enhance the transport of tryptophan and 5
hydroxy-tryptophan to the brain. These
chemicals are precursors of serotonin which is a neurotransmitter involved in
blood pressure, smooth muscle contraction, the regulation of body temperature,
appetite, respiration and pain perception.
Too much or too little of this neurotransmitter can cause clinical
depression, SAD, chronic fatigue, schizophrenia, headaches, hypertension,
fibromyalgia and a host of other complaints.
Several species of rhodiola have
been found to have both antibacterial and antiviral capabilities. Rhodiola rosea has been found to be effective
against several strains of the flu as well as the cox-sackie virus (an
enterovirus that lives in the digestive tract and can cause such things as
hepatitis A and polio). Rhodiola Kirilowii
was found to be effective against tuberculosis and hepatitis C.
Rhodiola has been found to
decrease harmful blood lipids and increase intracellular calcium into the heart
which helps to regulate heartbeat and counter arrhythmia. It has been found to shorten recovery time
from working out, to stimulate muscle energy, glycogen synthesis in the liver
and muscles and to increase strength , memory and anti-toxic actions of the
body.
A more recent study conducted in
China at the Jiangsu Institute found that salidroside-a compound found in rhodiola-protects
the nervous system from oxidative stress (which can lead to neuro-degenerative
diseases). They found that the herb also
helped to soothe feelings of anxiety, agitation and insomnia. It lifts one’s mood and eases fatigue.
Rhodiola contains a host of
antioxidants (kaemferol, rosavin, quercetin, etc) that Russian researchers
found to inhibit tumor growth in rats by 39% and metastasis by 50%. In other tests with various types of cancer,
rhodiola was found to greatly increase the survival rate of the test subjects.
(Other cancers tested were breast, bladder, prostate and colon).
Rhodiola was also found to both
stimulate and protect the immune system as it increases the natural killer
cells in both the spleen and the stomach.
(Remember that in Chinese medicine it is believed to be a weakness of
the spleen that leads to disease).
One interesting study was done on
rats that related to anorexia.
Researchers created a stress-related anorexia in the animals and then
gave them 15-20 mg/kg of rhodiola extract.
To their surprise it completely reversed the anorectic effects. (This is something that should be considered
for those dealing with eating disorders then….)
Scientists also conducted a study
using a combination of cinnamon and rhodiola on rats with diabetes. Each rat was given the combination for 12
weeks. At the end of the study the rats
blood glucose levels were greatly decreased and the levels of several key antioxidants
were significantly increased in the system (glutathione, catalase, SOD,
etc). Based on the rats response the
scientists believed that the combination would correct hyperglycemia and
prevent diabetes (quite a bold statement).
Several doctors, both natural and
medical, have used the plant for infertility, menstrual disorders, adrenal
fatigue, depression, weight loss, menopause, to enhance athletic and sexual
performance and to increase sexual interest in those experiencing a loss of
libido. Chris Kilham (aka the ‘Medicine
Hunter’) called rhodiola the ‘single most beneficial
medicinal plant in the world.’
Rhodiola has also been found to
improve hearing, protect the liver from environmental toxins, to regulate blood
sugar levels and help burn fat, to enhance thyroid, thymus and adrenal gland
function and delay the aging process.
Quite a feat for one plant.
Although it is rare-rhodiola has
some side effects such as hypertension, nervous excitability and fevers. It should not be taken by those on blood
thinners or blood pressure medications, pregnant and/or nursing women or children
under the age of 10. A typical dose is
between 200-400 mg. Always consult a
qualified physician before starting any herbal product or regimen.
As is customary with my posts I am including some links herein for your benefit. Enjoy! Stay strong and healthy!
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