RHODIOLA ROSEARHODIOLA ROSEA

SHEREE CYPHERSSHEREE CYPHERS

KAPLAN UNIVERSITYKAPLAN UNIVERSITYHW499HW499

WHAT IS RHODIOLA ROSEA?WHAT IS RHODIOLA ROSEA?

A perennial plant of A perennial plant of Rhodiola Rhodiola genus in genus in the Crassulaceae the Crassulaceae familyfamily

Genus Genus Rhodiola Rhodiola has has other species without other species without pharmacological pharmacological effecteffect

R. rosea R. rosea root has root has been the subject of been the subject of research studiesresearch studies

OTHER NAMES FOR RHODIOLA OTHER NAMES FOR RHODIOLA ROSEAROSEA

GOLDEN ROOTGOLDEN ROOT ROSEROOTROSEROOT ARCTIC ROOTARCTIC ROOT AARON’S RODAARON’S ROD

GROWS IN ….GROWS IN ….

ROCKY MOUNTAINS ROCKY MOUNTAINS ARCTICARCTIC ALPSALPS ICELANDICELAND NORTHERN RUSSIANORTHERN RUSSIA

HISTORY HISTORY TRADITIONALLY USED BY:TRADITIONALLY USED BY:

RUSSIANSRUSSIANS SCANDINAVIANSSCANDINAVIANS SIBERIANSSIBERIANS

RHODIOLA ROSEA IS AN RHODIOLA ROSEA IS AN ADAPTOGENADAPTOGEN

Adaptogens help balance endocrine Adaptogens help balance endocrine hormones and the immune system hormones and the immune system when the body is under stress.when the body is under stress.

Safely assist the body in maintaining Safely assist the body in maintaining balance and recovery from adverse balance and recovery from adverse emotions, weather and disease emotions, weather and disease influences (Dharmanada, S. 2001).influences (Dharmanada, S. 2001).

Helps lower production of stress Helps lower production of stress hormone cortisol.hormone cortisol.

WHAT IS RHODIOLA ROSEA WHAT IS RHODIOLA ROSEA USED FOR? USED FOR?

Anti-fatigueAnti-fatigue Clinical trials Clinical trials

show increased show increased mental mental performance & performance & ability to ability to concentrate in concentrate in healthy subjectshealthy subjects

Milder and safer Milder and safer than chemical than chemical stimulants like stimulants like caffeinecaffeine

USES (cont’d)USES (cont’d)

Reduces burnout in patients with Reduces burnout in patients with fatigue syndromefatigue syndrome

Encouraging results exists for use of Encouraging results exists for use of Rhodiola rosea in mild to moderate Rhodiola rosea in mild to moderate depression and generalized anxiety depression and generalized anxiety

Phytomedicine Phytomedicine 2010 Jun; 17(7):481-2010 Jun; 17(7):481-9393

USES (cont’d)USES (cont’d) Rhodiola Rosea and combinations of other Rhodiola Rosea and combinations of other

herbs are used frequently in Chinese & herbs are used frequently in Chinese & Tibetan medicineTibetan medicine

Active constituents include numerous Active constituents include numerous flavonoids (such as quercetin, rutin, and flavonoids (such as quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol) kaempferol)

Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds Flavonoids are antioxidant compounds found in plantsfound in plants

Antioxidants protect from oxidative Antioxidants protect from oxidative damage by free radicalsdamage by free radicals

PRECAUTIONSPRECAUTIONS Although Rhodiola Rosea is relatively Although Rhodiola Rosea is relatively

safe without adverse effects…..safe without adverse effects…..

CAUTION: ALWAYS CONTACT A MEDICAL CAUTION: ALWAYS CONTACT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OR NATURAL PHYSICIAN PROFESSIONAL OR NATURAL PHYSICIAN BEFORE TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENTBEFORE TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENT

FOR INFORMATION PURPOSE ONLY NOT FOR INFORMATION PURPOSE ONLY NOT

INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE OR TREATINTENDED TO DIAGNOSE OR TREAT

RESEARCH RESEARCH Well known case studies were conducted Well known case studies were conducted

by Drs. R. P. Brown, P.L. Gerbarg, and P. R. by Drs. R. P. Brown, P.L. Gerbarg, and P. R. Muskin from Columbia University and Muskin from Columbia University and reported in their books reported in their books The Rhodiola The Rhodiola RevolutionRevolution and and How to Use Herbs and How to Use Herbs and Nutrients in Mental Health Nutrients in Mental Health

Research studies show statistically Research studies show statistically significant improvement in mental significant improvement in mental performance, reduction of fatigue and performance, reduction of fatigue and stress reactions stress reactions

DOSAGEDOSAGE

Look for Rhodiola Rosea extracts that Look for Rhodiola Rosea extracts that contain at least 3% rosavinscontain at least 3% rosavins

The best way to enjoy the many The best way to enjoy the many benefits of Rhodiola rosea extract is benefits of Rhodiola rosea extract is to consume it moderately on an to consume it moderately on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes empty stomach at least 30 minutes before a breakfast or lunch.before a breakfast or lunch.

Do not take in the evening or before Do not take in the evening or before bedbed

DOSAGE (cont’d)DOSAGE (cont’d) It is best to start rhodiola in smaller doses It is best to start rhodiola in smaller doses

than is recommended, then work your way than is recommended, then work your way to the higher doses suggested on any to the higher doses suggested on any specific rhodiola product’s label.specific rhodiola product’s label.

When purchasing seek professional When purchasing seek professional guidance to avoid ineffective brands.guidance to avoid ineffective brands.

Obtain full information about quality Obtain full information about quality control and content from manufacturercontrol and content from manufacturer

SIDE EFFECTSSIDE EFFECTS Most common Rhodiola rosea side effects Most common Rhodiola rosea side effects

include restlessness, irritability, and include restlessness, irritability, and insomnia (same common side effects often insomnia (same common side effects often observed in any mild stimulant).observed in any mild stimulant).

To perceive these side effects, you likely To perceive these side effects, you likely

need to consume rhodiola in higher than need to consume rhodiola in higher than usual doses or combine it with another usual doses or combine it with another stimulant, such as coffee.stimulant, such as coffee.

SIDE EFFECTS (cont’d)SIDE EFFECTS (cont’d)

If taken in high doses or with another If taken in high doses or with another stimulant, the most disturbing stimulant, the most disturbing Rhodiola rosea side effect would be a Rhodiola rosea side effect would be a rapid heart beat, or heart rapid heart beat, or heart palpitations.palpitations.

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen that decreases fatigue and increases decreases fatigue and increases mental performance, particularly the mental performance, particularly the ability to concentrate, and safely ability to concentrate, and safely helps the body to maintain balance helps the body to maintain balance against adverse emotions and against adverse emotions and physical stresses.physical stresses.

REFERENCESREFERENCES Brown, R., Gerbarg, P. & Ramazanov, Z. (2002). Brown, R., Gerbarg, P. & Ramazanov, Z. (2002). A Phytomedicinal A Phytomedicinal

Overview Overview http://rhodiolarosea.org/HerbGrams-2002.pdf Retrieved May 14, http://rhodiolarosea.org/HerbGrams-2002.pdf Retrieved May 14, 20112011

Dharmanada, S. (2001). Dharmanada, S. (2001). Tibetan Herbal MedicineTibetan Herbal Medicine http://www.itmonline.org/arts/tibherbs.htmhttp://www.itmonline.org/arts/tibherbs.htm Retrieved May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 16, 2011.

Olsson, E., von Scheele, B. & Panossian, A. Olsson, E., von Scheele, B. & Panossian, A. A randomised, double-blind, A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardized extract shr-5 placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardized extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatiguerelated fatigue. . Planta Med.Planta Med. 2009 Feb: 75(2):105-12 2009 Feb: 75(2):105-12 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404 Retrieved May 12, 2011. Retrieved May 12, 2011.

Panossian, A., Wikman, G., & Sarris, J. Panossian, A., Wikman, G., & Sarris, J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy.Phytomedicine efficacy.Phytomedicine 2010 Jun; 17(7):481-93 2010 Jun; 17(7):481-93 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378318http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378318 Retrieved May 11, 2011. Retrieved May 11, 2011.