As time passes, the world of information increasingly becomes more prominent than ever before. Today, we are able to find information on the best sources and ranges of medicines, food, and technologies that best suit our comfort and needs. One of them includes the Rhodiola Rosea.
What is Rhodiola Rosea?
Rhodiola Rosea is a Relief found in the mountains of Central Asia, the Arctic, Eastern North America, and mountainous areas of Europe. But commercially, it is usually sold as Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract due to its lack of accessibility in different regions.
It is an adaptogen herb that has the ability to protect cells from oxidative damage. More particularly, oxidative damage, which stems from chemical and environmental stressors.
Rhodiola Rosea is part of the perennial flowering plant in the Crassulaceae family. It is known by many different names such as Artic root, King’s crown, golden root, rose root, and Orpin root.
Historically, Rhodiola Rosea has been seen as a means to treat various ailments. And as information becomes vaster, more people are conscious of the benefits of herbal medicines. Some of these benefits include:
Lowering Blood Pressure
Rhodiola Rosea is found to have blood pressure-lowering properties. Worldwide high blood pressure affects one in four adults. A leading factor for stroke, heart attack, and congestive heart failure is high blood pressure; around a billion people have it.
There have been studies done on animals that show Rhodiola Rosea can help lower blood pressure. Though thorough human studies have yet to be conducted, studies on rats with hypertension show Rhodiola Rosea intervention reduced the blood pressure in said rats.
While the studies conducted are mainly based on animal subjects, Rhodiola has been shown to protect the heart against stress-induced damage and increase the amount of blood pumped per minute.
May Improve Physical Endurance
A study done in 2009 concluded that a combined dosage of Rhodiola and Ginko could improve physical endurance. For an athlete, in particular, this may prove beneficial.
Rhodiola could potentially improve endurance performance by protecting against fatigue and taking in more oxygen.
It Helps Improve Stress And Fatigue
Rhodiola is an adaptogen herb that helps maintain homeostasis when faced with too much stress. It has the ability to increase physical performance and endurance, improving the body’s resilience to stress.
Helps Control And Manage Blood Sugar
Diabetes is a condition that affects millions worldwide by making them suffer through elevated sugar (glucose) levels in their blood. High glucose levels can cause oxidative damage to nerves, blood vessels, and organs. The organs most commonly affected are the kidneys and eyes. Having diabetes increases the risk of foot amputation, kidney failure, stroke, and heart attack.
First and foremost, Rhodiola should not be used in place or as a substitute for diabetic medication but more of an adjunct. That being said, studies that have been done, mainly on animal models, have shown that Rhodiola made the diabetes hormone insulin more effective, which is essential in controlling blood sugar levels. However, more studies need to be conducted on human patients. Also, keeping a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercises and a proper diet may help manage diabetes better.
May Reduce Anxiety And Depression And Improve Brain Function
Rhodiola Rosea is an adaptogen that helps keep the nervous system out of ‘fight and flight’ mode. In an animal model study, Rhodiola has been shown to suppress the release of the stress hormone Cortisol. Rhodiola may help anyone with mild to severe anxiety levels by helping control cortisol levels.
Rhodial is believed to be suitable for treating depression by inhibiting monoamine oxidase (MAO). A 2015 study by Dr. Cropley concluded that during the experimental group studies, there were a significant reduction in self-report stress, anxiety, depression, and confusion at 14 days of taking Rhodiola and an immense improvement in overall mood.
Although in ‘fight and flight’ mode, many of our physical senses are sharpened; however, due to high cortisol levels, our cognitive functions can easily be compromised, causing short-term memory loss and brain fog. In a study conducted for 28 days, a 576 mg dosage of Rhodiola extract was given per day, and it was found that at the end of the experiment, there was an increase in attention span, concentration, and cognitive performance.
When is Rhodiola Rosea not recommended?
As mentioned above, this herbal medicine has the ability to heal several ailments. But like any other medicine, it is advised with precaution as basic information recommends that we always consult a doctor before trying new medications.
Rhodiola Rosea is beneficial but is recommended against patients who are children, pregnant, breastfeeding, or have autoimmune disorders.
Conclusion
Rhodiola Rosea has been used historically in many periods across numerous regions for an array of different ailments—these ailments ranging from psychological, physical, and even reproductive. As with many herbal meditations, it is always advisable to first consult with a professional physician.