What is Rhodiola Rosea Root Used For?

In the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia, scientists found the incredible Rhodiola herb. Upon discovering, they found that its roots are adaptogens, meaning they regulate stress and help your body adapt to its consequences.

Because this root has such amazing components, people in Russia and Scandinavian countries decided to use Rhodiola rosea root to treat several conditions. In this article, we will let you know what the health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea root are.

Key Takeaways

• Rhodiola rosea root is an adaptogen herb found in mountainous regions of Europe and Asia that helps regulate stress and aids the body in adapting to its consequences. It has been used in traditional medicine practices for centuries and contains over 140 active ingredients.
• Rhodiola rosea root extract has several health benefits, including reducing stress and fatigue, increasing cognitive performance, and improving physical and mental fitness and resilience. 
• Rhodiola rosea root can support stress, energy, brain and cognitive, body, and diabetes. It also shows potential as a beneficial adjunctive treatment in attention deficit disorder (ADHD) and can improve learning and memory function. 

What is Rhodiola Rosea Root 

Rhodiola rosea – you might know it as golden root or arctic root – is a perennial plant native to the cold regions of the world, including polar areas of Europe and Asia. It's not just a plant; it's a powerful adaptogen with a history of traditional use in various systems of medicine.

The plant stands out with its beautiful yellow flowers, but it is the root that holds the magic. Hidden beneath the ground, the root is thick and fibrous and often takes on a brownish-red hue – a hint at its common name, the golden root.

If you were to find yourself face to face with a freshly pulled-up Rhodiola root, you'd notice its rose-like fragrance, a delightful characteristic that gives it its name, rosea. But don't be fooled by the sweet smell. When it comes to taste, the root is far from rosy. It delivers a bitter punch that quickly reminds you of its medicinal potency.

When dried and ground into a powder for supplements or tea, the root retains its distinct bitter taste. But it's this very bitterness, combined with the hardy nature of the plant, that tells you this isn't just a run-of-the-mill herb. 

It's a root with the strength to survive in harsh climates and the power to bestow its resilience onto us. It's a root that has carved out a niche for itself in the world of natural remedies and continues to fascinate researchers with its potential health benefits.

Historical Uses of Rhodiola Rosea Root

Rhodiola Root, steeped in history, has been a trusted ally in several cultures for centuries. It was revered as a potent remedy and strength supplement in Russia and Scandinavian countries. The tough Vikings relied on it to enhance their physical strength and endurance during their epic voyages.

Legend has it that the ancient Greeks turned to Rhodiola to bolster their stamina and mental capacity. They valued the root for its invigorating properties, a belief echoed by the Chinese who travel dangerous routes across the chilly Siberian mountains to collect it.

Even the Sherpas of the Himalayas had a tradition of using Rhodiola. They found it helped to cope with the demands of living and laboring at high altitudes.

In the colder climes of Siberia, it was customary to give newlyweds bouquets of Rhodiola to promote fertility and ensure the birth of healthy children.

The people of these cultures knew something simple yet profound - Rhodiola was more than just a plant. It was, and still is, a symbol of resilience and vitality, the golden key to survival in the harshest of environments.

Ancient Texts and Historical Records of Rhodiola Rosea Root Use

Rhodiola rosea's longevity as a natural remedy is well-documented in ancient texts and historical records. One of the earliest mentions is in the works of the Greek physician, Dioscorides, who documented it in his medical text, "De Materia Medica," around 77 C.E. He referred to it as "Rodia Riza" and detailed its medicinal benefits.

The "golden root," as Rhodiola rosea is often referred to, was identified during an expedition led by Russian botanist and taxonomist G.V. Krylov in 1961. 

As part of the Department of Botany at the Novosibirsk Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Krylov ventured into the cedar taiga located in the Altai Mountains of southern Siberia. It was here that he successfully located and identified the Rhodiola rosea, solidifying its place in the world of botany.

In Russian and Scandinavian folk medicine, Rhodiola rosea's utility is often lauded in historical texts. Its widespread use in these regions, especially for enhancing physical strength and endurance, is well-recorded.

Chinese medical records dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD) feature Rhodiola rosea. The root was highly valued, with daring expeditions undertaken across treacherous terrains to collect it.

These accounts underscore the root's importance in traditional medicine and its enduring status as a potent natural remedy.

Health Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea Root

Rhodiola rosea root extract has an overall impact on a person’s general physical and mental health. It is used to reduce stress and fatigue. Also, it can increase cognitive performance and improve physical and mental fitness and resilience.

Rhodiola is becoming known in America for its promising neuroprotectant treatment.

Below are some of the benefits of Rhodiola root:

Stress Support

Renowned as an adaptogen, Rhodiola rosea is a natural substance believed to augment the body's resilience to stress in a nonspecific manner. The intake of adaptogens like Rhodiola during periods of high stress has been studied to boost one's capacity to manage these stressful scenarios more efficiently.

Evidence suggests that Rhodiola may help alleviate symptoms of burnout, a condition often linked to prolonged stress. A study of 118 individuals experiencing stress-induced burnout took a 400 mg daily dose of Rhodiola for a duration of 12 weeks. The participants showed significant improvement in certain symptoms, such as stress and depression, typically associated with burnout.

The most significant progress was observed in the first week and persisted throughout the study. This trial marked the first investigation into the clinical outcomes of Rhodiola treatment for burnout. Impressed by the promising results, the researchers endorsed additional trials.

Body Support

Fatigue, a state of persistent tiredness impacting both mental and physical faculties, can stem from a multitude of factors, including stress, anxiety, or insufficient sleep. Rhodiola rosea, owing to its adaptogenic abilities, is considered to combat fatigue effectively.

In a particular study involving 100 individuals suffering from chronic fatigue, a daily dosage of 400mg of Rhodiola over eight weeks showed marked improvement in their condition. The facets showing enhancement encompassed stress symptoms, overall quality of life, mood, and concentration.

Notably, these improvements were not gradual - significant results were noticeable within the first week of the study, and continuous progress was observed till the study's conclusion. Thus, Rhodiola rosea demonstrates potential as a natural remedy for chronic fatigue.

May Help with Manage the Side Effects of Depression

Depression is a prevalent yet severe mental health disorder that impacts one's emotional state and actions adversely. The disease is believed to be triggered by an imbalance of neurotransmitters - the brain's chemical messengers.

Traditional healthcare practitioners often prescribe antidepressants to rectify this imbalance. Rhodiola rosea, however, is proposed to possess antidepressant qualities that may assist in regulating these neurotransmitters.

An intriguing study drew a comparison between Rhodiola's effects and those of sertraline, a widely administered antidepressant marketed as Zoloft. The study enlisted 57 individuals diagnosed with depression, who were arbitrarily designated to receive either Rhodiola, sertraline, or a placebo for a span of 12 weeks.

While both Rhodiola and sertraline were effective in reducing the symptoms of depression, sertraline exhibited a more profound impact. However, it's worth noting that Rhodiola generated fewer side effects and was better tolerated. 

This indication of a lower adverse side effect profile suggests that Rhodiola rosea might be a preferred treatment option for those who are particularly sensitive to the side effects associated with traditional antidepressants.

Brain and Cognitive Support

While exercise, balanced nutrition, and sufficient rest are fundamental in maintaining optimal brain performance, the addition of certain supplements like Rhodiola rosea may significantly enhance cognitive functions.

A collective review of 36 different animal studies corroborated Rhodiola's potential to improve cognitive abilities, particularly learning and memory. Even a single dose administration of Rhodiola in an animal study showcased promising results - not only did it enhance memory, but it also exhibited antidepressant effects. This finding indicates Rhodiola's potential application as a cognitive enhancer and mood stabilizer for humans.

Another research review suggested that Rhodiola's therapeutic properties could be beneficial in managing numerous age-related ailments. However, the researchers emphasized the need for further studies to bridge the existing gap between these preliminary research findings and their practical application in clinical settings. 

This underscores the need for more extensive human trials to validate these initial, promising results.

Energy Support

Rhodiola rosea is often championed for its purported benefits in enhancing sports performance, with key claims pointing to its ability to lessen physical and mental fatigue while boosting antioxidant activity. However, it's crucial to note that existing research paints a varied picture.

Promising outcomes have emerged from certain studies, including one animal trial that found Rhodiola rosea, combined with Rhaponticum carthamoides (Rha), improved muscle power and strength performance in rats post-resistance exercise. 

In another study involving healthy, physically active men, ingesting Rhodiola resulted in shorter reaction times, improved total response times, and an uptick in antioxidant activity. However, it didn't significantly impact overall endurance. Furthermore, Rhodiola has been documented in some studies as reducing perceived exertion during exercise.

Contrastingly, certain studies and authoritative health bodies cast a more critical eye on Rhodiola's performance-enhancing claims. Multiple investigations found that Rhodiola supplementation did not affect oxygen uptake or muscle performance and failed to bolster the immune system of marathon athletes.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health further cautions that there is insufficient human study-backed evidence to conclusively confirm Rhodiola's benefits for any health-related use. This might be attributed to the current lack of understanding regarding how Rhodiola influences human performance.

However, despite the contradictory findings, there is still a significant interest in Rhodiola rosea's potential benefits for sports performance. Many athletes and fitness enthusiasts continue to use it as part of their supplement regimen, hoping to experience its touted effects on fatigue and recovery.

Possible Diabetes Support

Diabetes is a chronic illness characterized by the body's inability to effectively create or respond to insulin, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels. Management of this disease often involves insulin injections or insulin-sensitizing medications to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

Preliminary animal research points to Rhodiola rosea as a possible aid in diabetes management. The active compound in Rhodiola, salidroside, has demonstrated potential in protecting against diabetes and the consequential diabetic nephropathy (a form of kidney disease) in rat studies.

However, these findings, while promising, are based on animal models and may not directly apply to humans. These studies present a compelling basis for the further investigation of Rhodiola's effects on human diabetes. 

It's important to note that anyone with diabetes considering Rhodiola supplementation should first consult with a healthcare professional or dietitian.

What is Rhodiola Rosea Root Good for 

Stress Support

As we mentioned before, Rhodiola root extract is an adaptogen, a natural substance that may increase your body’s resistance to stress. When you consume adaptogens during stressful times, you can better manage the situation and cope during these times, avoiding burnouts produced by the tension and even depression.

Energy Support

Stress and inadequate sleep can contribute to fatigue and eventually cause feelings of mental and physical tiredness. Thanks to Rhodiola’s adaptogenic properties, symptoms such as fatigue, mood, concentration, and quality of life will show improvement.

It is also beind studied for its potential as a beneficial adjunctive treatment in attention deficit disorder (ADHD) since it activates cognition and tends to improve accuracy, alertness, and attention.

Brain and Cognitive Support

There are many ways to keep your brain running strong, like exercise, proper nutrition, and enough sleep. Taking supplements like Rhodiola rosea’s root extract may improve learning and memory function.

This neuroprotectant is an excellent tool to increase cognition and counteract mood disorders in people. Besides, it has also been linked to improved mental performance during a lot of mental workloads and physical strain.

Body Support

Rhodiola shows great capacities in improving muscle power and increasing sports performance after resistance exercise. It also improves exercise production by decreasing perceived exertion. 

Diabetes Support

People with diabetes often use insulin injections or medicine that increases insulin sensitivity to manage blood sugar levels better. Interestingly, Rhodiola is a supplement that shows potential in protecting against diabetic nephropathy and diabetes.

What Does Rhodiola Rosea Root Do 

When you consume Rhodiola rosea root, its active compounds, like rosavins and salidroside, get to work in your body. They're absorbed and directed into your bloodstream, igniting a series of beneficial effects. 

Here's a closer look at what happens:

Once ingested, Rhodiola begins its journey in the digestive system. The stomach acids break it down, and the nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream.

Now, in the blood, these compounds target various areas of the body. They act on the central nervous system, particularly the brain. Here, Rhodiola can influence the balance of neurotransmitters - these are chemicals that our nerve cells use to send signals to each other.

Rhodiola is thought to boost levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine - all neurotransmitters linked to mood, focus, and energy. This could be why many people report feeling more alert and less anxious after taking Rhodiola.

Rhodiola’s effects aren’t just limited to the brain. It’s also been shown to help with physical endurance. It acts on the adrenal glands, helping to modulate the body's response to stress and fatigue. This can result in increased stamina and recovery after intense physical exertion.

Benefits of Using Rhodiola Rosea Root 

Rhodiola rosea root has a significant impact on mental health and aids is being studied for its potential to help manage symptoms associated to conditions like:

Better Mood

Based on clinical experts, moderate doses of this root are believed to be helpful in persons with bipolar disorder whose mood swings are primarily depressive with only occasional mild hypomanic symptoms. Rhodiola may increase mental energy and improve mood stress resilience. 

Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

Medicinal roots such as Rhodiola rosea may help manage some symptoms associated to FMS, like stiffness, and tenderness of the muscles, tendons, and joints. Its symptoms also include restless sleep, tiredness, and anxiety.

Alleviation of Side Effects of Psychotropic Medication

Although it needs more research and testing, there is a possibility that Rhodiola may help reduce the side effects of psychotropic drugs used to treat schizophrenia.

Benefits of Using Rhodiola Rosea Root

Below are some of the potential benefits that have been studied and reported in relation to Rhodiola rosea root:

Improve Mood

Rhodiola might work to enhance the levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – neurotransmitters that play a key role in regulating mood and energy. By boosting these neurotransmitter levels, Rhodiola could contribute to stabilizing the extreme mood swings associated with bipolar disorder.

Bipolar disorder, often referred to as manic depression, is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings. These swings can range from episodes of intense euphoria (known as mania) to severe depression, with periods of normal mood in between. 

Such erratic emotional shifts can greatly influence an individual's energy levels, behavior, and ability to carry out day-to-day activities.

In relation to the body, bipolar disorder can trigger physical symptoms such as sleep disruption, fatigue, and changes in appetite. The constant fluctuations of mood can also result in high stress and anxiety levels, which in turn can give rise to a host of other physical health problems like digestive issues and heart conditions.

Research shows that Rhodiola rosea root may help with this disorder. This adaptogenic herb might be a beacon of hope for people dealing with bipolar disorder. The active compounds present in Rhodiola, rosavins and salidroside, are known for their potential to influence the balance of mood-related neurotransmitters in the brain.

Also, Rhodiola acts on the adrenal glands, which might help moderate the body's reaction to stress. This can be particularly beneficial for managing the high stress levels often experienced by individuals with bipolar disorder. Thus, while more research is required, Rhodiola rosea root could potentially offer a complementary approach to managing bipolar disorder.

May Ease Symptoms Related to Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)

Fibromyalgia Syndrome, or FMS, is a long-term condition that presents itself as widespread pain throughout the body. This persistent discomfort, often accompanied by extreme fatigue and problems with sleep, memory, and mood, can severely impact an individual's quality of life.

Now, how does Rhodiola rosea root come into the picture? It's believed that this potent plant could play a significant role in easing the symptoms of FMS. This is largely due to the presence of two active compounds in the root, rosavins and salidroside.

These compounds work in harmony to stimulate the release of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine – neurotransmitters that are instrumental in managing pain and mood. By increasing the levels of these neurotransmitters, Rhodiola rosea root could potentially alleviate the pain and mood swings often associated with FMS.

Stress plays a significant role in FMS, with symptoms often worsening during stressful times. Rhodiola is known for its adaptogenic properties, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. It does this by acting on the adrenal glands, which are responsible for releasing the stress hormone cortisol. This function could make the root a valuable tool in managing the stress-related aspects of FMS.

While Rhodiola rosea root isn't a cure for FMS, it could offer a complementary approach to managing its symptoms. However, it's crucial to remember that more research on humans is needed to fully understand the relationship between Rhodiola and FMS.

Alleviation of Side Effects of Psychotropic Medication

The Rhodiola rosea root may also play a vital role in mitigating the side effects of certain psychotropic medications. Some of these drugs can have harsh side effects, adversely affecting an individual's quality of life.

Due to its unique characteristics, the Rhodiola rosea root could potentially alleviate these issues. Its components, rosavins and salidroside, could help mediate the body's response to these drugs, potentially reducing their adverse impacts.

Where to Buy Rhodiola Rosea Root?

For a high-quality, convenient source of this beneficial root, we highly recommend TUNE IN from VYU. This product contains organic Rhodiola rosea root extract which is free from harmful chemicals and additives. VYU also uses sustainable sourcing methods to ensure the purity and potency of its products.

The addition of ashwagandha extract further fortifies this drink, known for its powerful stress-reducing and mood-enhancing effects. Alpha GPC, another ingredient in TUNE IN, is recognized for its potential to boost cognitive function and physical performance.

In addition to these, TUNE IN includes a suite of essential vitamins for maintaining energy levels and supporting overall brain health. Other components like TeaCrine® for sustained, jitter-free energy, BioPerine® for enhanced nutrient absorption, and stevia extract for a touch of natural sweetness make TUNE IN a the best wellness drink out there.

The drink is also free from caffeine, making it an excellent choice for those avoiding stimulants. With its natural flavors, TUNE IN delivers a tasty and healthy performance drink that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere. Get yours now!

Final Thoughts

Rhodiola rosea root possesses an array of potential benefits that can contribute positively to health and well-being. With its stress-reducing properties and mental performance-enhancing capabilities, it can be a substantial addition to a balanced lifestyle.

However, it's essential to remember that everyone's body responds differently to dietary changes. So, before starting to use Rhodiola rosea root or any other dietary supplements, consult with a healthcare professional. They can provide personalized advice on suitability, dosage, and potential interactions with existing medications. 

In this way, you can make the most of the benefits while ensuring your safety and well-being.

Rhodiola Rosea Root: Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does it Take for Rhodiola Rosea to Work?

The exact timeframe for Rhodiola rosea to show effects may vary depending on individual metabolism rates and the dosage taken. Generally, it's recommended to take Rhodiola rosea for a minimum of two weeks before expecting noticeable results. However, some users may experience benefits within a few days of consistent usage.

Can Rhodiola Rosea be Taken with Other Supplements?

Yes, Rhodiola rosea can generally be combined with other supplements. However, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen. They can provide advice on possible interactions and optimal dosage, ensuring that the combination of supplements is safe and beneficial for you.

Is Rhodiola Rosea Safe for Long-Term Use?

While Rhodiola rosea is generally considered safe for most people, the long-term effects are not thoroughly studied. Most clinical trials have examined the effects of short-term use. Therefore, it's recommended to use Rhodiola rosea under the guidance of a healthcare professional, who can monitor its effects and adjust the dosage as necessary.