Siberian Rhodiola Rosea Review, Benefits and Effects

Although Rhodiola exists in many inhospitable terrains throughout the world, the finest and most effective is claimed to be the Siberian Rhodiola Rosea.

This small perennial herb has a golden crown and is easily recognizable, but it is the root in which the medicinal benefits lie. The root contains a group of compounds known collectively as ‘rosavins.’

The compounds exclusive to Rhodiola Rosea are ‘rosin’ ‘rosavin’ and ‘rosarin.’ Additionally Siberian Rhodiola Rosea contains a further compound known as ‘salidroside.’ It is the collective actions of these compounds which contribute to the herb being termed an ‘adaptogen.’

Rhodiola Rosea

Adaptogen Supplement

Mood

Stimulant

Athletics

How It Works:

• Adaptogenic herb for reducing stress
• Boosts energy, focus & mood
• May reduce sleep problems & irritability

Dosage:

Between 200 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Siberian Rhodiola Rosea

It is said that the Emperors of China would go to extreme lengths to obtain Siberian Rhodiola Rosea.

Servants would be sent to steal the herb and then smuggle the plants back over the Chinese Russian border. The belief was that the root of the plant contained many medicinal properties and possibly the secret of eternal life.

The secrets of Siberian Rhodiola Rosea were not, in the main, known by many in the West until the last decade. Russia, as the former Soviet Union, had undertaken much research the results remained confidential.

With the ending of the Cold War the secret began to leak through to the West. This was completed in 2002 when a book was published by Dr Zakir Ramazanov.

This book contained the translated findings of years of research undertaken in the former Soviet Union. The impact it had on herbal medicine in the West stimulated much medical and public interest.

The roots of the Siberian Rhodiola Rosea plant do indeed have many medicinal properties. Not only that, but the chemical components of the root also supported prior results shown in clinical research. These studies also found many additional benefits for the herb.

Unlike many herbal remedies, Siberian Rhodiola Rosea had an immediate effect on certain conditions. Another benefit was recorded in that it appeared to have no side-effects.

Chemical Components of Siberian Rhodiola

Although the herb exists throughout the world as a family of plants, all Rhodiolas are not the same. There are many different varieties of this hardy, perennial plant. Most contain some medicinal properties, none is as beneficial as the Siberian Rhodiola. The chemical profile of the root of the Siberian Rhodiola Rosea is distinctive.

It is made up of Phenylpropanoids, Phenylethanol derivatives, Flavanoids, Monoterpernes, Triterpenes and Phenolic acids. The important chemicals in respect of this plant relate to the compounds contained as Phenylpropanoids and Phenylethanol derivatives.

Phenylpropanoids are made up of Rosavin, Rosin and Roserin. These are collectively known as Rosavins. The Phenylethanol derivative is Salidroside. Together these compounds restore the internal balance within diverse systems of the body, resulting in their classification as “adaptogens”.

These chemical components are only found in the Siberian Rhodiola Rosea. Although other varieties exist and they all have certain compounds in common, none has the above combination.

Commercial cultivation of the Siberian Rhodiola Rosea, due to its natural harsh habitat, is virtually impossible. This is why the herb itself is not only considered unique, but also a high value supplement.

Fatigue and Depression

Research studies undertaken with regard to Siberian Rhodiola Rosea now number in their hundreds. Many of these were performed during the Cold War by the former Soviet Union.

In these studies, primary focus was given to the benefits of the herb for a competitive physical and mental advantage. This was applied to military situations, science, politics, business, athletics and even when playing chess.

Since this time, the effects relating to fatigue and anti-depression properties of the root have been given more attention. Studies have been performed on fruit flies, rats and people, which indicate the chemical constituents of the herb have positive effects on energy levels and on reducing susceptibility to stress.

In one Armenian study, researchers examined whether doctors on night-duty would find fatigue relieved and mental performance improved when given low dose Rhodiola. The tests established that there was significant improvement in the cognitive abilities of doctors compared to that of participants given placebos. Additionally, it was found that no side-effects were reported.

Further studies have shown it to increase peak oxygen uptake which can reduce fatigue in athletes and to improve the ability to manage emotional stress as well as lifting mood. Of all the studies and findings recorded to date, it would seem the Armenian study has been the one to attract the attention of the medical community.

Indeed an herb, which would have once been considered to be an ‘alternative’ therapy, was proven to positively benefit medical professionals in the course of their work.

Do you need to Use Siberian Rhodiola?

Are the benefits of Rhodiola Rosea exclusive to the Siberian strain of this plant? If you are in the market to purchase Rhodiola supplements, you may have noticed that those pills branded as “Siberian” are both more expensive and harder to find.

On average, products that claim to contain Siberian Rhodiola Rosea sell for $0.30 to $0.50 per dosage while other products can sell for as low as $0.15 to $0.25 per dose. It is also difficult to determine which are legitimate products from Siberia and which have been cultivated in other regions.

Purchasing from a well-respected brand that provides a 10:1 extract should be sufficient for ensuring quality in today’s marketplace.

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