Rhodiola rosea
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogen (as defined by Israel Brekhman, PhD) that has
been shown to raise oxygen partition in arteries and blood saturation level and
to lower blood viscosity while enhancing peripheral circulation. It improved
total circulation, oxygen uptake, and nutrient transport to the tissues while
preventing hypoxy-related free radical generation. It has improved performance
of athletes and those in high altitudes. Clinical research with healthy subjects
showed improvement in hearing, recovery from exercise, fat loss, liver
detoxification, tumor resistance, and improved sexual function with
normalization of prostate in males, with no toxicity reported. It helps
normalize mood by maintaining optimal levels of serotonin and other
neurotransmitters in the brain. Rhodiola Rosea also known as Arctic root or
golden root, is a member of the family Crassulaceae, a family of plants native
to the arctic regions of eastern Siberia. It grows at altitudes of 11,000 to
18,000 feet above sea level. As an herb, it grows approximately 2 ? feet high
and has yellow flowers whose smell is similar to attar of roses, thus imparting
its name. Rhodiola is classified as an adaptogen meaning that it has a
nonspecific ability to assist the body to withstand stress and maintain normalcy
even when threatened with pathological conditions. As such it is similar to a
number of other herbs classified as adaptogenic including Elutherococcus,
Aralia, chaga fungus sclerotia , Schisandra, ginseng, codonopsis and Leuzea. In
Siberia it is said that "those who drink Rhodiola tea regularly will live
more than 100 years." Chinese emperors always looking for the secret to
long life and immortality sent expeditions into Siberia to collect and bring
back the plant. Being one of the most popular medicinal herbs of middle Asia,
for many years Rhodiola has been illegally traffiked across the Russian border
to China. In Siberia it was taken regularly especially during the cold and wet
winters to prevent sickness. In Mongolia it was used for the treatment of
tuberculosis and cancer. In the ancient world both Rhodiola and its ginseng
cousin were known to bring the spirit of jolliness or hilarity to those people
who used them regularly. The great health attributes that the ancients
recognised in these remarkable herbs have how now been abundantly confirmed by
numerous modern research studies. (Reference: Arctic Root (Rhodiola Rosea): The
Powerful New Ginseng Alternative by Carl Germano, R.D., C.N.S. L.D.N. published
by Kensington Health Books) More
References
Rhodiola Rosea Summary
- Rhodiola rosea counteracts the effects of stress and reduces the cortisol
stress hormone that ultimately causes many age related diseases.
- Rhodiola helps cardiac problems related to stress by decreasing the levels
of catecholamines and corticosteroids released by the adrenal glands under
stress conditions.
- Rhodiola, extracts rosavin and salidroside, in animal studies have
improved the transport of serotonin precursors, tryptophan, and
5-hydroxytryptophan in the brain.
- Rhodiola normalizes hormones by modulating the release of glucocorticoid
into the body.
- Rhodiola decreases harmful blood lipids and decreases the risk of heart
disease.
- Rhodiola helps to properly regulate the heart beat thereby counteracting
heart arrhythmias.
- Rhodiola stimulates and protects the immune system by promoting metabolic
homeostasis.
- Rhodiola has potent antioxidant brain protecting properties.
- Russian researchers have found that Rhodiola inhibited tumor growth in
rats by 39 percent and Rhodiola rosea resulted in significant increased
survival rate.
- Rhodiola has significantly increased survival in cases of cancers of
glandular tissue such as the breast and the lung.
- Rhodiola improves the ratio of lean body mass to fat and increases
hemoglobin and erythrocytes levels.
- Rhodiola improves hearing and mental concentration.
- Rhodiola helps with burns to inhibit the progression of pyorrhea.
- Rhodiola helps regulate blood sugar levels for diabetics.
- Rhodiola protects the liver from toxins.
Some Rhodiola Rosea Research Refereces
©2002
Andy One
KeyHerbs.com
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