Rhodiola rosea is a medicinal plant belonging to the Crassulaceae family, it is native to Siberia, but is also widespread in Mongolia and grows spontaneously even in the mountains of Northern Europe, Lapland and Scandinavia, and Alaska in North America. Rhodiola, like so many other herbal extracts, has a truly legendary history. The root is used to improve physical performance, immune resistance and general physical and mental well-being. It is even said that the Vikings used it to recover their strength following intense physical effort. Furthermore, in ancient Tibet, the local populations took it to help them adapt better to the altitude and the harsh climate, much like in Siberia, where, in addition to being used as protection against low winter temperatures, it was popularly believed that, by drinking an infusion every day, one might live to over a hundred years old; in addition, the Rhodiola rosea root was given to the spouses to guarantee healthy children, since it was considered a powerful stimulant. In Traditional Chinese Medicine too, the root was use to treat various ailments, and for its invigorating effect. The first scientific studies on Rhodiola date back to the first half of the last century, when several scientists, mostly Russians, began to observe the effects of this indigenous plant, but information on the benefits and properties of Rhodiola didn't reach widespread attention inn the western world until the early 1960s.
Nowadays, in case of fatigue or particularly stressful or tiring periods, during the change of the seasons, when undergoing intensive training or moments of constant concentration, and any other situation where the body is placed under particular stress, taking rhodiola can help restore balance.
The adaptogenic and antistress properties of rhodiola roots, which tend to favour learning and memory capacities, were already well known to the Siberian, Chinese, and Scandinavian folk medicine traditions. Many of its properties have been scientifically proven and can be traced to the presence of phenylpropanoid glycosides, in particular salidroside and rosavidin, whose chemical structure is similar to that of syringin (eleuteroside B, one of the active ingredients of eleuterococcus). Salidrosalide is the most pharmacologically active compound. This glycoside is present in the root of Rhodiola rosea, also known as rodioloside and rhodosine. Assuming it stimulates the production of serotonin, adrenaline and dopamine, improving mood through its antidepressant effects, while enhancing intellectual abilities by acting positively on metabolic functions (of heart, liver and muscles), without side effects. The organic acids and flavonoids contained in Rhodiola rosea, on the other hand, determine its antioxidant properties.
Rhodiola produces an increase in the plasma concentration of beta-endorphins able to prevent the hormonal variations indicative of stress. It also exercises cardio-protective effects in the presence of tachycardia and palpitations caused by anxiety and nervousness, while increasing athletic resistance and reducing recovery times following intense exercise. In fact, Soviet scientists recommended its use by athletes to improve cardiovascular and ventilatory activity during endurance activities, to optimise mitochondrial energy flow, thus promoting higher levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and creatine phosphate in the mitochondria, thus ensuring a generalised improvement of oxidative metabolism. It also helps to sustain athletes' immune defences, reducing the risk of over-training, during intense workouts or endurance competitions. It is also appreciated by athletes for its "DOMS" (delays onset of muscle soreness) effect, which facilitates muscle recovery by reducing noticeably inflammatory cytokines and muscle damage markers such as myoglobin, creatinkinase and lactate dehydrogenase, further confirming its aforementioned "myoprotective" properties.
The plant also features slimming properties, due to the stimulation of various lipases that are able to accelerate the release of fats from the deposit tissues (lipolysis), transforming them into brown fat, so as they are more easily synthesised, i.e. "burnt", thus producing more energy.
The major virtues for which it is known and widespread today is that it is an excellent "antistress" adaptogen, as it helps to recover from states of physical and mental exhaustion due to particularly "strenuous" periods of life, which also determine pronounced nervousness. It acts especially at the level of the sympathetic system, against anxiety and depression, increasing (up to 30%!) The blood levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for the feeling of well-being, and counteracting the harmful effects of cortisol, the stress hormone, reducing notably anxious hunger. The glycosides contained in the root are also capable of increasing dopamine levels, a substance capable of transmitting a satiety signal to the CNS.
Soviet studies have shown that, acting as a stimulant on the female hormonal system, it is indicated in case of amenorrhea, as well as significantly improving fertility. On the male side it promotes function and sexual performance in 70% of men suffering from erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation.
Rhodiola rosea has no particular contraindications, but at high doses it can cause insomnia and irritability. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Do not give Rhodiola rosea to children.
Use is not recommended if you suffer from heart problems or high blood pressure, as well as in case of nervous exhaustion or a high state of anxiety. Never use rhodiola if you take antidepressants, anxiolytics and barbiturates because it increases the side effects.
The extract of Rhodiola rosea also appears to be frantic today, a highly effective natural extract, with very large adaptogenic properties that can help you stay mentally active, efficient and efficient in situations of particular psychophysical stress, intervening on the state of physical fatigue and mental, improving attention, concentration, fatigue resistance, without countering the normal biological functions.
