Rhodiola Rosea

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The first supplement on my list is Rhodiola Rosea.

I get my information from many sources. The internet, books I own, Papers I have printed and so on. I will do my best to reference these

From the wiki on Rhodiola...

Rhodiola rosea (Roseroot) is a plant in the family Crassulaceae that grows in cold regions of the world. These include much of the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asia, the Rocky Mountains, and mountainous parts of Europe, such as the Alps, Pyrenees, Carpathian Mountains, British Isles, Scandinavia and Iceland.

Alternative medicine review explains....Rhodiola rosea (also known as golden root and Arctic root) has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. It is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asia, with a reputation for stimulating the nervous system, improving depression, enhancing work performance, improving sleep, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. (1)

Active constituents

Rhodiola species contain a range of antioxidant compounds, including p-tyrosol, organic acids (gallic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid), and flavonoids (catechins and proanthocyanidins). (2,3)

The stimulating and adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola rosea are attributed to p-tyrosol, salidroside (synonym: rhodioloside and rhodosin), rhodioniside, rhodiolin, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, mad rosiridin. (1,4) Rosavin is the constituent currently selected for standardization of extracts. (5)

p-Tyrosol has been shown to be readily and dose-dependently absorbed after an oral dose; (6,7) however, pharmacokinetic data on the other adaptogenic compounds found in Rhodiola rosea is unavailable.

Mechanisms of Action

The adaptogenic properties, cardiopulmonary protective effects, and central nervous system activities of Rhodiola rosea have been attributed primarily to its ability to influence levels and activity of biogenic monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, and hypothalamus. It is believed the changes in monoamine levels are due to inhibition of the activity of enzymes responsible for monoamine degradation and facilitation of neurotransmitter transport within the brain. (8).

In addition to these central effects, Rhodiola has been reported to prevent both catecholamine release and subsequent cyclic AMP elevation in the myocardium, and the depletion of adrenal catecholamines induced by acute stress. (9).

Rhodiola's adaptogenic activity might also be secondary to induction of opioid peptide biosynthesis and through the activation of both central and peripheral opioid receptors. (10,11,12,13).

Rhodiola rosea is one of the more powerful plant adaptogens producing, within 30 min of administration, a stimulating effect that continues for at least 4-6 hours (14).

Here's a nice little diagram outlining the possible actions of Rhodiola Rosea taken from herbalgram.org

More recently (Jan, 2007) , in a paper published in Phytotherapy research, Rhodiola Rosea extract was shown to significantly, but not dose-dependently, induce an antidepressant-like, adaptogenic, anxiolytic-like and stimulating effects in mice after just one dose (15).

Side Effects and Toxicity

Clinical feedback indicates, at doses of 1.5-2.0 grams and above, Rhodiola rosea extract standardized for 2% rosavin might cause some individuals to experience an increase in irritability and insomnia within several days.

Evidence on the safety and appropriateness of Rhodiola rosea supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is currently unavailable.

A fellow scientist, Opales, who is a member at the Immortality institute, mentioned recently that Rhodiola may act to inhibit monoamine oxidases (MAO-I) and warns those taking other MAO-I's, such as resveratrol, green tea and selegiline (Deprenyl), of the possible dangers. You can read the article @ the Institute. I post under the nickname Zoolander and responded to his post.

Dosage

Dosage varies depending upon standardization. For chronic administration, a daily dose of 360-600 mg Rhodiola extract standardized for 1% rosavin, 180-300 mg of an extract standardized for 2% rosavin, or 100-170 mg of an extract standardized for 3.6% rosavin is suggested. Administration is normally begun several weeks prior to a period of expected increased physiological, chemical, or biological stress, and continued throughout the duration of the challenging event or activity.

When using Rhodiola rosea as a single dose for acute purposes (e.g., for an exam or athletic competition), the suggested dose is three times the dose used for chronic supplementation.

Rhodiola rosea has been administered for periods ranging from as little as one day (acute administration) up to four months. Until more specific information is available, a dosing regimen following the established patterns used with other plant adaptogens--with periodic intervals of abstinence --seems warranted when Rhodiola rosea is being used chronically.

As you can see from my above regime, I take 830 mg of Rhodiola Rosea (3% rosavin) per day in 2 evenly divided doses (i.e 415 mg x 2) on an empty stomach.