Rhodiola Defeats Stress

Rhodiola rosea, (also known as Golden Root and Roseroot) which grows in the colder regions of the world (the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asia and the Rocky Mountains) has long been valued as a potent adaptogen (agent that strengthens the body's response to stress) and has traditionally been used to improve mental and physical performance. New research utilizing mice confirm rhodiola's ability to offset stress-induced anxiety, depression, and loss of appetite.

In one study, a single oral dose of rhodiola produced significant antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects in stressed mice. "This study... confirms many preclinical and clinical studies indicating the adaptogenic and stimulating effects of ... R. rosea," wrote the researchers.

In a second study, physical and psychological stressors were introduced which caused laboratory rats to stop eating. The administration of Rhodiola reversed the animals' loss of appetite. Control animals, which were either free-feeding or food deprived, did not change their eating behavior in response to rhodiola, indicating that the herb "... is able selectively to attenuate stress-induced anorexia."

Rhodiola appears to have broad spectrum potential to alleviate a number of human problems, including hospital-induced appetite suppression that causes so many confined patients to become malnourished.

Rhodiola rosea's effects are attributed to its ability to optimise serotonin and dopamine levels and to its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.