Rhodiola rosea - medicinal properties and contraindications

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The plant belongs to the Crassulaceae family. Distributed in the Far East and Siberia. The layers of its rhizomes are lemon yellow. Therefore, another name that Rhodiola rosea has is golden root. This plant is also called Rhodiola cold, red brush, Rhodiola four-membered.

In folk medicine, this plant is used as a remedy that relieves fatigue and improves performance. The healing properties of Rhodiola rosea have been known for many years. Tincture from this plant has long been taken to relieve nervous tension. Moreover, planting and caring for Rhodiola rosea is not so difficult. It is easier to propagate the plant vegetatively. A part of the rhizome with roots, which has a pair of renewal buds, is planted in the ground. Further care comes down to weeding the soil to remove weeds and loosening it.

Photo of Rhodiola rosea (golden root):

Adaptogen Rhodiola Rosea extract includes tannins, organic acids, b-sitosterol and essential oils. It also contains 2 crystalline substances: n-tyrosol and rhodioliside. They have stimulating properties.

Five Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea for Women

Let's look at the scientific facts about the benefits Rhodiola rosea can offer to the fair half of humanity.

Helps burn fat

A toned body and beautiful figure are extremely important for women, and Rhodiola rosea can help with this.

One of the many incredible characteristics of Rhodiola is that it helps your body burn stored fat for fuel more efficiently. We all know that exercise, especially interval exercise, can increase fat loss. But if you want an extra benefit, consider taking Rhodiola along with regular exercise to speed up your weight loss efforts.

What allows Rhodiola to help burn visceral fat? Some animal studies have shown that Rhodiola rosea may reduce the amount of visceral white adipose tissue and increase norepinephrine levels in the hypothalamus to help prevent diet-induced obesity ().

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Rhodiola's most active compound, rosavin, has been shown to trigger a fat-burning response. Because it helps normalize cortisol levels, Rhodiola may also reduce cravings for unhealthy "comfort foods" and delay the fat accumulation that is associated with high cortisol levels (especially fat around the belly).

Rosavin works by stimulating an enzyme called hormone-sensitive lipase, which is able to break down fat stored in adipose tissue (in the abdominal area). Some sources suggest that if you combine Rhodiola extract with moderate exercise, belly fat reduction is even greater.

Increases energy and athletic performance

Research suggests that if you're looking for a natural way to boost energy and improve athletic performance, then Rhodiola is for you. Today, one of the most popular uses of Rhodiola is to increase energy, stamina, and strength.

Rhodiola may help increase your endurance by increasing red blood cell count and reducing oxidative damage (). Red blood cells carry oxygen to the muscles, and higher numbers of them can significantly improve an athlete's performance and help delay fatigue. Rhodiola benefits performance by enhancing erythropoietin, which stimulates red blood cell production.

According to a study published in the International Journal of Sports Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism in 2004, Rhodiola has anti-inflammatory properties that promote rapid muscle recovery and increased endurance (). Another study conducted on rats found that taking Rhodiola could increase endurance, allowing the animals to swim 25% longer. The improvements occurred because Rhodiola was found to increase the synthesis of ATP, which is essential for cellular energy ().

May help combat physical and mental fatigue

If you think that Rhodiola rosea is only useful for women who are professional athletes, you are mistaken. You don't have to be an athlete to experience the benefits of Rhodiola. Not only can it simply help reduce physical fatigue, but it can also reduce mental fatigue, improving symptoms of brain fog and lack of concentration. Rhodiola is also often used to help people overcome exhaustion from low-intensity, but often repetitive, routine exercise or movement. Whether you're a maternity mom, a business executive, or a student, you'll be glad to know that Rhodiola improves productivity in the workplace and helps reduce the impact of lack of sleep on your body.

Rhodiola can be taken by women for several reasons, including to treat fatigued adrenal syndrome, chronic fatigue, poor recovery from exercise, and problems with physical/athletic performance ().

What are the benefits of Rhodiola rosea for women?

Helps reduce cortisol levels

One of the main reasons people turn to adaptogenic herbs like Rhodiola is to help balance cortisol levels. This is critical to slowing down age-related symptoms and improving your overall health. In addition, when cortisol production is disrupted, a woman’s entire hormonal system suffers. The production of sex hormones is disrupted, libido decreases, mood worsens, and hair falls out. Therefore, Rhodiola rosea can be very useful for the female hormonal system. It calms the body when the nervous system goes into “fight or flight” mode due to daily stressful situations ().

When levels of the hormone cortisol remain high for a long period of time, such as from emotional or physical stress, it can cause you to experience stress-related symptoms such as:

decrease in blood glucose levels
weight gain
thyroid problems
hormonal imbalance
memory impairment
weakened immune system

By maintaining balanced cortisol levels, you can improve your health in several ways, especially when it comes to feeling younger and more energetic. High cortisol levels over an extended period of time can contribute to accelerated signs of aging, higher levels of psychosocial stress, cognitive decline, atrophy of brain structures associated with memory, weight gain and exhaustion. This is why Rhodiola rosea is a recognized anti-aging supplement for women that restores sexuality and libido ().

May help fight depression and improve brain function

Another amazing benefit of taking Rhodiola is that it helps improve cognitive function and as a natural remedy for depression.

Rhodiola may help increase the sensitivity of your neurons (brain and nervous system cells), including the two neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are known to increase attention, memory, pleasure, and overall mood, making them very important for preventing anxiety and depression. In animal studies, Rhodiola has also been shown to help repair damaged neurons in the hippocampus, an area of the brain considered the center of emotion, memory, and autonomic nervous system regulation ().

Many functional medicine doctors prescribe Rhodiola as an effective natural alternative to antidepressants. This works because Rhodiola can increase sensitivity to dopamine, which has been shown to improve mood and also help fight food cravings and addictions.

In a clinical study of 150 people suffering from depression, participants were given Rhodiola rosea for one month. At the end of the experiment, two-thirds of the group had complete remission of depressive symptoms, and daytime fatigue also improved significantly ().

Another small 2015 study, which was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), tested Rhodiola against the drug sertraline (often prescribed to treat depression) and placebo in 58 adults with mild to moderate major depressive disorder. The results showed that all treatments were equally effective in reducing depressive symptoms (there were no significant differences between groups at the end of the study). But participants taking rhodiola had fewer side effects than those taking sertraline ().

Can Rhodiola also help with anxiety? Yes, it looks like it can. A trial of 80 people with mild anxiety found that compared to a control group, the experimental group (taking Rhodiola rosea at a dose of 2 x 200 mg) showed significant reductions in self-reported anxiety, stress, anger, confusion and depression after 14 days , as well as a significant improvement in overall mood. Rhodiola supplements have been shown to have a favorable safety tolerability profile ().

Some doctors have also begun recommending Rhodiola for ADHD because of its ability to improve focus.

Instructions for use of Rhodiola Rosea tincture (Method and dosage)

For those who are indicated for Rhodiola Rosea tincture, the instructions for use inform that the medicine should be taken orally. This should be done 15-30 minutes before meals. The dosage is 5-10 drops, which are taken 2-3 times every day. The duration of treatment is 10-20 days.

In psychoneurological practice, Rhodiola liquid extract is used 2-3 times every day in a dosage of 10 drops.
The single dose is gradually increased to 30-40 drops. Therapy is designed for 1-2 months.

What are the benefits of golden root for the body?

Due to its positive effects on the human body, Rhodiola rosea is widely used in pharmacology and traditional medicine. Its effectiveness has been proven by many years of research. When used correctly, it has a restorative and adaptogenic effect on the body. In some cases, golden root can increase the effectiveness of the main treatment. In terms of its tonic effect, it can compete with eleutherococcus and ginseng.

The beneficial properties of Rhodiola rosea also include:

increasing the body's endurance;
normalization of the menstrual cycle;
strengthening the immune system;
improving memory and concentration;
restoration of the functioning of the heart muscle and coronary arteries;
appetite stimulation;
improvement of blood composition and lymph flow;
calming effect on the body;
stabilization of the functions of the endocrine system.

Rhodiola rosea lotions are excellent for conjunctivitis. A herbal decoction can be used to rinse the mouth for periodontal disease. In cosmetology, the remedy is common in improving hair structure. It is used to prevent hair loss and protect against color dullness.

Rhodiola rosea is often used in the fight against depressive disorders. It increases brain activity and reduces cortisol levels, which is considered a stress hormone. At the same time, the plant does not have a sedative effect, but, on the contrary, replenishes energy reserves. The advantage of golden root is its low level of toxicity, which reduces the likelihood of side effects.

Rhodiola rosea is in great demand among athletes. It speeds up the muscle recovery process after intense training. In addition, the components in its composition increase endurance and activate metabolism. This is especially true when losing weight.

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Medicinal properties of golden root for men

Today, Rhodiola rosea is one of the most effective remedies for treating diseases of the male reproductive system. Its active substances improve the quality of seminal fluid and stimulate the functioning of the gonads. Golden root helps cope with oligospermia and erectile dysfunction.

It is also recommended for use for the following problems:

depressive disorders;
decreased libido;
sleep disturbance and fatigue;
physical fatigue.

There is an opinion that regular use of golden root extends life by 15-20 years

Medicinal properties of golden root for women

Rhodiola rosea is able to restore the functioning of all major life support systems. Women often use it to normalize hormonal levels. Phytoestrogens, which are part of the golden root, have a targeted effect on reproduction problems. Decoctions and tinctures prepared from the plant relieve severe menstrual pain and eliminate PMS symptoms. The abundance of minerals in the composition ensures the preservation of youth even after menopause. This is due to the stimulation of elastin and collagen production.

Advice! Rhodiola rosea has a stimulating effect on testosterone production.

Price of Rhodiola Rosea tincture, where to buy

The price of Rhodiola Rosea tincture 30 ml is approximately 45 rubles. In Ukraine, this product is sold for an average of 20 hryvnia. The drug is not rare; you can buy Rhodiola Rosea in many pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.