Improve Mood, Concentration, Memory and Exercise Performance ⋆ Fran's Food Fixes

Rhodiola rosea is commonly known as roseroot, golden root, or arctic root because it grows well in the arctic and other cold climates. Some cultures call it Siberian ginseng, so be sure not to confuse it with Eleutherococcus senticosus better known as Siberian ginseng.

Family

Crassulaceae family (stonecrop)

Succulent

Other plants in the stonecrop family include the flowering Kalanchoe plants sold during holidays with common names such as Easter Kalanchoe, or Christmas Kalanchoe.

Some of the Benefits of Roseroot

*Lowers blood sugar

*Increases choline levels in the brain

*Improves short-term and long-term memory

*Improves mood

*Improves concentration

*Enhances learning potential

*Increases levels of GABA, BDNF, dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin in the brain

*Increases endurance

*Improves energy

*Improves cognition

*Promotes weight-loss

*Slows the aging process

*Strengthens the immune system

*Increases neurotransmission

*Protects neurons in the brain

*Prevents memory-loss

*Protects against stress

*Reduces risk of hypertension (high blood pressure)

*Lowers blood pressure

*Improves exercise performance

*Helps prevent brain fog

*May inhibit the growth of certain cancers (lung, bladder, gastric and colon)

*Cardioprotective

The root contains over 140 active ingredients with health-giving benefits.

Roseroot is a powerful adaptogen which means it helps the body handle stress. It is an antidepressant shown to have milder side effects than typical antidepressant medications. It is an anti-inflammatory preventing diseases associated with inflammation. It is an antioxidant which protects cells from damage, aging, and cancerous cell changes. It is nootropic enhancing brain function while protecting the brain cells. It is cardioprotective. It is also a stimulant and a tonic.

Roseroot Increases Levels of Important Brain Chemicals

Roseroot increases levels of choline, and BDNF-both neuron protectors, GABA-an important neurotransmitter, and the 4 “feel-good” hormones dopamine, endorphins, oxytocin, and serotonin.

GABA-gamma-aminobutyric acid

BDNF-brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Roseroot decreases symptoms of stress, physical and mental fatigue, and increases exercise performance, increases brain function (cognition, learning, memory, and concentration), while improving mood, and reducing anxiety.

Roseroot is used for:

Anxiety, brain fog, chronic fatigue, fatigue, depression, diabetes, stress, stress headaches, memory-loss, poor concentration, and obesity.

How to Take

Take on an empty stomach.

Most effective when taken as a standardized extract, tablet, or tincture.

Since products can vary in quality always look for the USP or NSF seal of assurance.

Typical dose 200 mg twice a day for up to four months. (Ask your doctor)

Synergistically used with ginseng (Panax ginseng), or ashwagandha (Withania somnifera).

Herbs that work together synergistically enhance each other’s properties.

Precautions

Side Effects: May cause anxiety, dizziness, dry mouth, heart palpitations, and insomnia. May raise or lower blood pressure, so do not take if you have hypotension, or hypertension. Do not take if you have autoimmune disease as it stimulates the immune system. Do not take if you have cardiovascular disorders, or kidney disease.

May interfere with other medications. Do not use if you are taking other stimulants, blood thinning medications, or diabetes medications. Do not take within 2 weeks of surgery. Do not use if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding, also not for use in children. Ask your medical doctor before taking this or any herbal supplements.

Beneficial effect may disappear after 6 weeks according to some studies.

Active Ingredients

Rhodiola rosea with its 140+ active beneficial chemicals include rhodiolosides (glycosides), and tyrosol (phenolic).

Phenylpropanoids; rosavin, rosin, rosarin

Phenylethanol derivatives; salidroside (rhodioloside) and tyrosol

Flavonoids; rodiolin, rodionin, rodiosin, acetylrodalgin, and tricin

Triterpenes; daucosterol, beta-sitosterol

Phenolic acids; chlorogenic and hydroxycinnamic, and gallic acids

Studies suggest that the adaptogen qualities come from rhodioloside and tyrosol.

Salidroside protects against diabetes and diabetic nephropathy and inhibits the growth of cancer cells in the lungs, bladder, colon, and stomach in studies with rats. While there is no proof these benefits apply to humans it offers hope until more studies are available.

Rhodiola rosea is used in both herbal medicine and phytotherapy.

Phytotherapy is similar to herbal medicine in that they both use natural herbs to improve health. The difference is that traditional herbal medicine is the use of herbs from information from traditional treatments and handed down through the generations, whereas phytotherapy is based on scientific studies on the benefits and properties of herbs, proven by science.

Scientific Studies

This herb has been used for over 60 years in Russia where it is considered safe and has been recently approved in France. It’s also backed by several placebo-controlled studies.

Studies have shown it to have more than 140 active ingredients. Two of the most important are rosavin and salidrosides.

According to a Russian placebo-controlled clinical study an extract of Rhodiola rosea improved physical fitness, and neuro-motor response time while reducing fatigue and mental stress. No adverse effects were noted.

A 2014 study by the European Committee for Herbal Medicinal Products showed improved short-term memory, improved concentration, and a reduction in stress. In another study long-term memory also improved. This herb was also shown to increase levels of important brain chemicals involved in an improved mood.

Important Information. I am a clinical nutritionist and holistic health practitioner. I am not a medical doctor. This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for proper medical treatments or care. Always consult with your medical doctor before making any changes to your diet, lifestyle, or fitness programs.