2
years ago, we distributed an issue of our Extrax Fax newsletter
on the subject of the herb Rhodiola rosea entitled
"Rhodiola Radix: The Most Useful Herb You've Never
Heard Of" (See
article) At that point in time, the herb really was for
the most part unknown, despite a decade of effort on the part
of the Swedish Herbal Institute to popularize it as Arctic
Root. But since then, our friends at ABC
published a seminal piece on Rhodiola in a recent issue
of Herbalgram (see reference below)
giving an excellent detailed overview of the phytomedicinal
properties of the plant. Then Anne Underwood from Newsweek
Magazine got a hold of the article and Newsweek printed a
one-page story about the herb in their February 3rd 2003 issue.
Needless to say, the attention has generated some marketing
buzz, but it is still too early to tell if much of it is catching
on with consumers.
Why
all the excitement about Rhodiola? As it turns
out, this northern Asian root packs a potent adaptogenic punch,
helping the body to adapt to 21st century living in many ways.
As ABC's Mark Blumenthal told Newsweek's Ms. Underwood, "It's
got everything to become an herbal superstar - a high safety
profile, compelling benefits and a reasonable amount of scientific
research." In fact, it has been treasured in Russia and
Sweden for many hundreds of years for increasing mental focus,
physical endurance, productivity and fertility while fighting
depression, fatigue, impotence, hypoxia, anemia, infections
and even cancer.
Rhodiola
rosea is a member of a 50-species genus of plants
with northern hemisphere distribution. The genus is closely
related to the Sedum that is popular in American gardens.
Rhodiola rosea itself is native to the northern latitudes
and arctic regions of Asia and Europe (Scandinavia and Siberia),
but is also found in China at elevations above 3,300 meters.
It is the rootstock of this perennial that is harvested and
most commonly extracted as either a tincture or dry extract.
Manufacturers
should be aware that of all the Rhodiolas, it is only
the rosea species that contains the active constituents
that make it a valued adaptogen. As with other medicinal herbs,
the specific compounds thought to be responsible for Rhodiola's
health benefits has shifted over the course of its discovery.
In the 1970's, a phenylethanol derivative called salidroside
was thought to be the primary active. More recently, attention
has focused on its phenylpropanoid constitituents: rosavin,
rosin, and rosarin, called collectively "rosavins".
Brown,
Gerbarg & Ramazanov in the Herbalgram article (ref)
point out that while rosavin content is a useful marker, precise
identification of all the true actives remains a mystery.
Using a whole herb extract of the root containing a full representation
of plant constituents is a wise and effective approach to
ensuring a quality product.
It is important to note that when a supplier uses an extraction
process designed to concentrate only the rosavins in the final
extract, other important constituents may begin to drop out
of the mix. In line with our overall manufacturing philosophy,
we have found that a full spectrum Rhodiola rosea
product is more therapeutically efficacious than a concentrated
one and we are careful to preserve the natural balance of
constituents. We do, however, standardize to marker compounds.
Rhodiola
rosea is an authentic adaptogen, non-specifically
increasing the resistance of the body without disturbing its
normal biological functions. For that reason, it is a great
herb for combating stress. It is theorized that R. rosea
improves the brain's ability to deal with stress by 1) increasing
serotonin in the hypothalamus and midbrain, 2) increasing
endorphins, 3) moderating the release of opioid peptides that
occur as a part of the stress response, and 4) protecting
the brain and heart by reducing the stress related production
of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF).
It
is a wonderful herb for mental focus and cerebral activity.
It promotes the release and enhances the effectiveness of
neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine
in the brain. The results, demonstrated in several clinical
studies, are enhanced mental performance, learning, attention
span, and memory. It has been widely used as an antidepressant,
working alone or adjunctively with other antidepressants.
Because of the breadth of its adaptogenic effects, some patients
find it more effective than prescription SSRI's or St. John's
Wort.
Another
beneficial adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea is
its ability to increase physical work capacity, improving
strength, recovery time, endurance, and coordination. Clinical
studies found it to be more effective than Eleuthero
at enhancing adaptation to physical stress. Combining the
two herbs in a formula is even better, as R. rosea
and Eleutherococcus senticosis are very compatible,
producing beneficial synergistic effects.
Rhodiola
has been shown to enhance fertility in women, even
among those that have failed to conceive with standard fertility
drugs; and to substantially improve sexual performance
in men with erectile dysfunction and/or premature ejaculation.
It also enhances thyroid and adrenal function without causing
hyperfunction of those organs.
Part
of R. rosea's effectiveness as a stress adaptogen is
due to its cardioprotective effects. Because it promotes the
balanced release of epinephrine and nor epinephrine, it is
a very effective anti-arrhythmia/tachycardia agent.
It also increases the energy efficiency and energy reserves
of the heart by balancing the heart's sympathetic and parasympathetic
autonomic nerve inputs.
Additionally,
this amazing root is a strong antioxidant with several
anti-cancer effects. It reduces the toxicity of anti-cancer
drugs and enhances their anti-carcinogenic effects. It helps
to inhibit tumor growth on its own, and is also anti-mutagenic,
substantially reducing the development of chromosomal aberrations.
R.
rosea is very safe with very low toxicity and few
side effects. It is best taken early in the day because its
mental activation effects can interfere with sleep. It is
a potent herb and is useful at low dosage levels (50-200mg/day
of extract), depending on the desired effect. At lower doses,
the herb is stimulating; at higher doses, more sedating.
With
such a huge cornucopia of beneficial effects, we agree with
Mr. Blumenthal that this should be a superstar herb. If enough
people are educated about Rhodiola rosea's many effects,
it is likely that it will be used widely for stress reduction,
mental focus, depression, endurance, fertility and even cancer
treatment.
We
are ready to supply you with Draco Full Spectrum Standardized™
Rhodiola rosea herbal extract, standardized to
specific marker compounds. This is an exceptionally potent
product with a typical efficacy range of only 50mg to 100mg
per dose. Draco's products and process are ISO9000 and
Kosher certified. Please call us at (408)287-7871 for more
details!
References
Brown,
Richard P. M.D., Patricia L. Gerbarg,M.D., and Zakir Ramazanov,
Ph.D., D.S. "Rhodiola rosea: A Phytomedicinal
Overview" Herbalgram, No. 56, 2002.
Underwood,
Anne. "Health: The Herbal Stress Buster? Can a Russian
Root Be Good For Your Health?" Newsweek, Feb 3,
2003.