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My most recent health-related journey has involved my moods and experimenting with different natural sources of balancing out the minor issues I've been experiencing for some time.
Here at Ribbons and Pearls, I've shared everything about this particular journey, including what results or lack of results I've experienced with the different remedies I've had the opportunity to try. The Root of The Matter has been a huge help to me in this journey by helping me to find what will work best for my own issues, and tonight I want to share all about their Siberian Rhodiola Rosea, and my personal experience with it.
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| Image source: 123greetings.com |
So, get ready to learn all the effects of this awesome herb. I hope you've come with patience and a desire to read because we all know how I like to get heavy in my research!
Let's start with Rhodiola Rosea's main uses:
Rhodiola Rosea can help maintain the brain's levels of serotonin, and increases
serotonin levels. This, and the results due to Rhodiola's ability to
affect serotonin is the biggest reason people favor it, including me.
Aside from that, you have these awesome benefits, too: increased strength,
stamina and energy, increased mental capacity.
Rhodiola and Stress Relief
Rhodiola is also an
adaptogen, which I've discussed in other posts such as the one on Maca
powder (also from the same company, The Root of The Matter as the
Rhodiola Rosea).
If you don't remember or missed that post, an adaptogen helps the body deal with stress better, and there have only been two things (both adaptogens) that have ever shown to relieve my stress and tension.
| Image source: Vuible.com |
For me, when it rains it pours! Maca powder and Rhodiola Rosea have been huge helping hands for me in times of tremendous stress, which has been especially present lately. I'm tellin' ya, these past few months have been very eventful! A lot of positive things, but a lot of very negative ones, too. My dad was in a wreck and two other family members were (all separate wrecks, too!) in the last several months.
Doctor visits that led to huge scares (all turned out well, though) and even a missing family member. I could go on, but then you really would think I was making things all up.
My point: I was able to really put these adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola (and Maca 2 months ago) to the test as far as stress and tension goes! And the results were outstanding.
I didn't even experience the first stomach flare up, and this is extremely rare for me in stressful times.
Rhodiola also helps the body resist chemical and environmental stresses, too, so that explains a lot!
Rhodiola and Mood
Serotonin - the brain chemical that's responsible for all sorts of things including mood, sleep, muscle contractions, memory, etc.
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| Here's you an image for better understanding (image source: .Adam.com) |
Since a lot of people with depression, mood problems, fatigue, etc. often have low serotonin levels, Rhodiola Rosea can be a big help.
Mood and fatigue are my reasons for using Rhodiola, and I will explain the results/my experience later.
P.S. Some people have used rhodiola together with 5-HTP -- 5-HTP is naturally available in the body and also available in supplement form. It converts into serotonin -- to treat depression.
Note: Like other supplements I've discussed, you have to be careful with Rhodiola, too as it's not safe to take it with certain medications and some other herbs or supplements.
This is mostly due to it's affect on serotonin levels. For instance, it's highly recommended against the use Rhodiola with other SSRI's or MAOI's because it's possible that combinations of these can cause serotonin issues.
Some people mention the risk of something called "serotonin syndrome," which I've mentioned before. It's where taking SSRI's or MAOI's in combinations (or too much of any) can apparently throw serotonin levels out of whack and result in things like depression. It can interact with other things, so it's wise to check before taking it with *anything* at all, including energy supplements!
Some people say this serotonin syndrome isn't actually possible, but every person is different and we have to keep that in mind. Plus, none of us can know if it's possible to happen to us.
Also, I feel the need to "disclaim" everything due to crazy legal stuff that makes it impossible for bloggers like me to really state our opinions and usage/experience with certain products like herbs without including such things as disclaimers, so I'll be brief, and there'll also be the regular disclaimer at the bottom of my review post.
Before I go on, though let's get part of this over with: Always ask your physician or doctor before taking anything. I am not telling you to do anything. Do not take my experience or notes as advice. Blah, blah, blah.
Info for Choosing the "right" Rhodiola Supplement (or why I only prefer The Root of The Matter's)
The Rhodiola supplement I've been using is Siberian Rhodiola Root, to be exact. This version contains standardized - 3%
Rosavins and 1% Salidroside.
Note: Lef.org describes the importance of taking a Rhodiola supplement with this one's exact ratios:
"The average dose of R. rosea is between 200 mg and 400 mg per day of an extract that is standardized to contain rosavins and salidrosides in a 3:1 ratio. This mimics the ratio of these compounds that naturally occur in R. rosea root."
The Root of The Matter Rhodiola is exactly that ratio (3% Rosavins and 1% Salidroside.)
(The Root of The Matter Rhodiola supplement I've been using contains 100 capsules, 250 milligrams each.)
Dosage and Taste:
1 capsule 3 times a day. The bottle makes note that higher doses can cause sedative effects.
1 capsule 3 times a day. The bottle makes note that higher doses can cause sedative effects.
To be on the safe side, and avoid any sedative effects (and possible zoning out/drooling all over my work!) I have never taken the full 3 caps in one day. Plus, I haven't felt it necessary.
I never seem to need as much as a product label recommends of any herb, so I feel the benefits off 1-2 daily. Usually only 1 capsule is needed, and for a mini boost on nights when I'm doing over-work or something, I'll just dump half the capsule's contents onto my tongue. This works great and then allows me some peaceful sleep once 5AM rolls around and I have to get in bed.
Since The Root of The Matter's Siberian Rhodiola Rosea Root comes in small, easy-to-swallow capsules, taste isn't really a concern. However, I always like to try these things, and after emptying less than half a capsule into my mouth, I found the taste to be completely tolerable. If one wanted to use this in drink form (a lot of people like taking their herbs that way), then I doubt there'd be any issues with tastes, especially mixed in a tea.
It's somewhat bitter, but also has what seems to me like a floral, aromatic taste. Not bad at all! The bitterness and its slight green-tea leaf taste reminds me of Kratom, but the Rhodiola isn't nearly as bitter.
Now, let's get into more about what all Rhodiola can do
Rhodiola Rosea is one heck of an herb. You may have seen it listed on the label of some energy supplements, usually natural ones.
This is one of the main reasons I was so impressed with Rhodiola, and also the reason I went into search mode for it: it gives me such a nice, clean boost mentally and physically. I have tried tons of mood and energy supplements (really. There's probably very few on the market I've not used) and have had a tough time finding something that will uplift the mood problems I have.
In other posts on this mood/energy discussion, I've gone into detail about my own mood problems to sort of help give others an idea of how these supplements worked for me. Instead of going into deep detail this time though, I'll just brief you:
My problems:
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| Image source: memecrunch.com |
Low energy levels, extreme PMS, severe mood swings and melancholy. Note, I have not suffered with a bout of depression in quite a while, but am a little prone to SAD (seasonal depression), but it's usually mild, and always clears eventually. I haven't had a big issue with that this year, but have felt touches of what I feel like is best described as melancholy and lack of motivation (until recently with the herbs and supplements I have been using and sharing about).
As for the mood problem, I don't know what it is, but it's intense and with me almost daily, especially 2 weeks out of every month.
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It has become something I can't tolerate anymore (and neither can people close to me). I can go so quickly from fine and sometimes even very happy to downright ill. I don't know a trigger for it or where it comes from. There's never any warning, it just hits and goes downhill from there. And this all can happen in less than an hour. It's really common for me, in fact.
So, there's my "background," so if others have any of the same "symptoms," my experience might provide something useful since you may be able to compare your "symptoms" to mine and get an idea of what might be useful for you. Again, I am not giving advice.
So, these weird problems of mine lead me to the search for something to uplift my mood, increase my lack of motivation and energy as well as put me in a less irritable mood.
I've been really blessed to have come across the products I have that have been helpful for me -- like Maca powder and supplements I've discussed here. Here, I'll explain how Rhodiola Rosea has contributed to my health and well being. Then we'll discuss all of Rhodiola's capabilities and possible benefits.
Rhodiola Benefits:
- Improves athletic performance.
- Shortens recovery time from extensive exercise.
- Anti-stress (as mentioned earlier in detail)
- Emotionally calming
- Anti-aging
- Improves sexual function (whoo! Whoo! I love a supplement that works on my mental, emotional, physical and sexual well-being!)
As something else worth mentioning, according to Lef.org, Patricia L. Gerbarg, MD says that some of her patients she's given Rhodiola to say they feel sexier after taking it. This is probably partly due to the huge amount of improvements you gain all over (mentally, physically, etc.). I know I feel sexier when I feel good all around.
- Strengthens nervous system, and protects it against oxidative stress.
- Rhodiola is an anti-oxidant.
- Enhances immunity
- Can help Irregular heart beat
- Can help High Cholesterol
- Increases concentration
- "Some people use rhodiola for treating cancer, tuberculosis, and diabetes; preventing cold and flu, aging, and liver damage; improving hearing." (Source: WebMD)
- Liver protectant!
- May be helpful for female reproductive and menstrual issues like irregular menstrual cycles. It's been used for infertility (and very well may work, especially if you've heard the loads of people who were infertile and became pregnant after using Maca. I'd believe this could be a capability of Rhodiola too).
It's also used for women with perimenopausal symptoms, chronic sleep disorders, and even weight loss.
- May decrease blood glucose, and therefore be helpful for diabetes.
- Used successfully for some people with adrenal fatigue.
- May help soothe agitation and sleeplessness.
* After just those benefits alone (all the above and what I mentioned in the beginning about energy levels, serotonin and mood improvement) make Rhodiola what I consider a God-send. As long as I'm able to, I will take something with this many benefits. It's icing on the cake that it also enhances immunity, strengthens nervous system, helps liver damage, etc. For me, I love having those added things!
Other possibilities of Rhodiola (but it hasn't been tested much and we all know why, but do not get me started on that!):
- "Protect cells from damage, regulate heartbeat, and have the potential for improving learning and memory." (WebMD)
- Studies have shown that rhodiola reduced the cell mutations associated with cancer as well as help the body's ability to repair DNA mutations. (Source: EarthClinic).
- "Soviet studies have shown that Rhodiola rosea, when combined with physical exercise, can be a powerful tool in weight reduction as it activates of fat-tissue lipase, resulting in the breakdown of stored fat. " (Source: EarthClinic)
One study in mice even showed that Rhodiola may help reduce anorectic-like effects.
- A Chinese animal study has shown that Rhodiola slowed heart rate and lowered blood pressure. Russian and Korean animal studies have shown that rhodiola protects the liver and can help it recover from exposure to certain poisons. (Earth Clinic).
"Side Effects" of Rhodiola:
Aside from avoiding combining Rhodiola unless you are given approval by a trustworthy health care professional, you can also experience other reactions from the herb
(Rhodiola is a stimulant): jitters like you get from too much caffeine, anxiety when too high a dose is taken, etc.
Much like other herbs discussed here on Ribbons and Pearls recently, it's been said that Rhodiola can have sedative like effects (opposite of stimulating) with high doses or if you're not used to it. Some say that the lower doses cause stimulating effects and higher doses cause sedating ones, much like an opiate.
I myself have never experienced any of these while taking Rhodiola. And as the bottle states, there are no known interactions or contraindications with other drugs/herbs, but again, remember everyone is different.
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