Women's health update: Rhodiola rosea

[Guest guest]

Women's health update: Rhodiola rosea by Tori Hudson, N.D., Townsend Letter for

Doctors and Patients

An Overview of its Versatility, Effectiveness and Indications Fatigue?

Depression?

Stress? Tension headaches and sleep disturbances? Poor memory? Amenorrhea? A

little known herb, Rhodiola rosea, could be the perfect solution for these

varied

problems.

Rhodeola rosea, or " golden root, " has been used for centuries in Eastern Europe,

Scandinavia and Asia for centuries. It has remained largely unknown in the West,

until recently. Traditionally, R. rosea was used in folk medicine with a

reputation to

increase physical endurance, productivity, longevity, resistance to high

altitude

sickness, fatigue, depression, anemia, impotence, gastrointestinal ailments,

infections and disorders of the nervous system. (1) The roots were uses as

bouquets to enhance fertility in young Siberian couples prior to their marriage.

The

tea was used for colds and the flu during the hard winters in Asian. Rhodiola

was

highly coveted as a trade item by outsiders, and in exchange, they gave up their

fine

wines, fruits and honey.

The Vikings of Scandinavia used the herb to enhance their physical strength and

endurance--something they came to be famous for. All of this folklore first led

to

investigations of its phytochemistry in the early 1960s that identified

adaptogenic

compounds in the roots of the plant. These adaptogens, as well as the later

discovered antioxidant and stimulating compounds in Rhodiola rosea, are

responsible for its medicinal properties.

Active constituents

The root of R. rosea has six distinct groups of chemical compounds:

* Phenylpropanoids: rosavin, rosin, rosarin

* Phyenylethanolo derivatives: salidroside (rhodioloside), tyrosol

* Flavonoids: rodiolin, rodionin, rodiosin, acetylrodalgin, tricin

* Monoterpernes: rosiridol, rosaridin

* Triterpenes: daucosterol, beta-sitosterol

* Phenolic acids: chlorogenic and hdroxycinnamic, gallic acids.

vin is the constituent currently selected for standardization of extracts.

(2)

Mechanism of Action

The properties of Rhodiola rosea to influence the cardiopulmonary system,

central

nervous system, and improve the ability to adapt to stressors have been

attributed

primarily to its influence on the levels and activity of serotonin, dopamine,

and

norepinephrine in different structures in the brain. It may be that the plant

inhibits the

breakdown of these chemicals and facilitates the neurotransmitter transport

within

the brain. (3) In addition to these effects on the central nervous system,

Rhodiola

has been reported to increase the chemicals that provide energy to the muscle of

the heart and to prevent the depletion of adrenal catecholamines induced by

acute

stress. (4)

Central Nervous System Effects.

Historically, Rhodiola was observed to act in humans as a tonic, increase

attention

span, memory and work performance. Two human studies were able to show that

individuals with fatigue, irritability, insomnia and decline in work capacity

responded

favorably to a Rhodiola dose of 50 mg three times a day. (5), (6)

In another human study of 128 patients aged 17-55, Rhodiola alleviated fatigue,

irritability, distractibility, headache and weakness in 64% of the cases. (5) In

a study

of students, physicians and scientists, Rhodiola was given for 2-3 weeks

beginning

several days before intense intellectual work such as final exams. (66) The

extract

improved the amount and quality of work and prevented decreased performance due

to fatigue. Using Rhodiola during final exams appears to be beneficial as well.

Medical students took a Rhodiola extract for 20 days and had significant

improvements in mental fatigue, general well-being, final exam grades and

physical

fitness. (7)

Case studies have reported that Rhodioa rosea can help with depressive

syndromes, memory loss, anxiety, cognitive dysfunction and menopause related

symptoms.

Cardioprotective Effects and Effects of Work Capacity

Several studies have shown that Rhodiola increased physical work capacity and

significantly shortened the recovery time between bouts of intense exercise. In

one

study, work capacity was increased by 9 percent and the pulse slowed to normal

much more quickly. (8) Biathlon athletes given Rhodiola also have shown

statistically significant increased shooting accuracy, less arm tremor and

better

coordination. Improved recovery time, strength, endurance and cardiovascular

measures were also significantly better in those who took Rhodiola. We're not

really

sure what is responsible for these effects, but animal studies suggest that

Rhodiola

increases essential energy metabolites in the muscle and brain cells. It may

also

increase metabolism of fats.

Endocrine System

Animals studies looking at the effect of rhodiola on thyroid function, adrenal

function

and ovarian egg maturation has raised interest in Rhodiola for endocrine

problems in

humans. Forty women suffering from amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycles) were

given 100 mg of Rhodiola twice daily for 2 weeks or an injection for 10 days. In

some women, the regimen was repeated 2-4 times. Remarkably, normal menses

were restored in 25 women, 11 of whom became pregnant. (9) Physicians have

reported cases of women who had failed to conceive with standard fertility

drugs,

who then became pregnant within several months of beginning Rhodiola rosea

extract. This would be truly a remarkable contribution to women's health, if

follow-up

controlled clinical trials confirmed these findings. For men, 26 out of 35 with

erectile

dysfunction and/or premature ejaculation responded to R. rosea (150-200 mg/day

for

3 months) with significantly improved sexual function. (10)

Modern research is probably best and most simply understood with a summary

overview of the effects of Rhodiola on different systems. Much of this research

is

still only published in foreign languages but details of these studies can be

obtained

from an excellent overview article on Rhodiola rosea. (11) The research

summarized

here is a mixture of laboratory, animal and human studies.

Effect on the Central Nervous System:

* Stimulates norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin

* Increases the permeability of the blood brain barrier to precursors of

dopamine and

serotonin

* Enhances learning and memory in animal models

* Enhanced attention, thinking, analyzing, evaluating, calculating and planning

* May help to protect the nervous system from oxidative damage by free radicals

* Improved fatigue, work capacity, sleep, appetite, irritability and headaches

* Improved the amount and quality of work

* Reduced fatigue in stressful situations

* Improvements in general well-being, physical fitness, mental fatigue, final

exam

grades and coordination

* Decrease in psychic fatigue and situational anxiety

Effects on the Capacity for Physical work

* Increased work capacity

* Shortened the recovery times between bouts of high-intensity exercise

* Improved physical strength, endurance, and coordination

* Increased essential energy metabolites, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and

creatine phosphate in the muscle and brain mitochondria

* Increased the metabolism of fats

* Improved muscle energy metabolism

Adaptogenic and Neuroendocrine effects

* Increased duration of time possible to tolerate stress

* Reduced damage from stressors--muscular, environmental, emotional

* Improvements in the neurological mechanisms of dealing with stress

* Enhanced thyroid function without causing hyperthyroidism

* Restored normal menstrual cycle

* Improved sexual function in males

Cardioprotective Effects

* Prevention of stress induced cardiac damage

* Reduced adrenal catecholamine release

* Prevention of arrhythmias

* Increase in physical work capacity--increased strength of heart muscle

contractility

* Increased cardiovascular reserves

* Enhanced functions of the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems

Antioxidant and Anti-carcinogenic Effects

* Decreased toxicity from cyclophosphamide, rubomycin and adriamycin

* Enhanced anticarcinogenic effects of those same chemotherapeutic meds

* Inhibited tumor growth

* Decreased metastasis

Side effects, Toxicity and Contraindications

Rhodiola rosea has a very low level of toxicity in animal studies. The toxic

dose is

calculated in humans to be about 235 gm or 235,000 mg for a 70 kg man. The

typical daily dose for chronic administration is 360-600 mg per day when

standardized for 1% rosavin, 180-300 mg when standardized for 2% rosavin, or

100-

170 mg when standardized for 2.6% rosavin. This provides a large margin of

safety.

Overall, there are very few side effects with Rhodiola. Some anxious individuals

may be over activated and become agitated. R. rosea may also interfere with

sleep

in some individuals and should be taken early in the day. It should be avoided

in

individuals with bipolar disorder who have a history of manic episodes when

given

antidepressants or stimulants and should be used with caution in general, in

those

with bipolar disorder. If use is desired just prior to an academic exam or an

athletic

competition, the suggested dose is three times the dose for daily consumption

for

one dose. Safety issues are not available for pregnancy and lactation and should

therefore be avoided.

Conclusion

Rhodiola rosea is most surprising in its versatility with its ability to affect

the

nervous system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, immune system and

musculoskeletal system. This is a remarkable accomplishment. In this time of

increasing emotional stress, increased pressures and demands and work loads,

increased exposure to environmental stressors, and increased expense of health

care, it's great news to have such a flexible and diverse herb that is not

expensive,

with a great safety profile. Most individuals will see an improvement in their

mood,

energy level, mental capacity, memory, stamina and/or endurance within 2-6

weeks.

We look forward to expanded research to explore the use of Rhodiola rosea in

areas

such as dementia, infertility, menstrual abnormalities, fibromyalgia, chronic

fatigue

syndrome, post traumatic stress disorder, attention deficit disorder, brain

injuries,

cancer, and sports performance.

References

(1.) Petkov V, Yonkov D, Mosharoff A, et al. Effects of alcohol aqueous extract

from Rhodiola rosea L. roots on learning and memory. Acta Physiol Pharmacol Bulg

1986;12:3-16.

(2.) Boon-Niermeijer E, van den Berg A, Wikman G, Wiegant F. Phyto-adaptogens

protect against environmental stress-induced death of embryos from the

freshwater

snail Lymnaea stagnalis. Phytomedicine 2000;7:389-399.

(3.) Stancheva S, Mosharrof A. Effect of the extract of Rhodiola rosea L. on the

content of the brain biogenic monamines. Med Physiol 1987;40:85-87.

(4.) Maslova L, Kondrat'ev B, Maslov L, Lishmanov I. The cardioprotective and

antiadrenergic activity of an extract of Rhodiola rosea in strss. Eksp Klin

Farmakol

1994;57:61-63. (Article in Russian).

(5.) Krasik E, Morozova E, Petrova K, et al. Therapy of asthenic conditions:

clinical

perspectives of application of Rhodiola rosea extract. In. Proceedings Modern

problems in psycho-pharmacology. Kemerovo-city, Russia: Siberian Branch of

Russian Academy of Sciences: 1970.p. 298-330.

(6.) Krasik E, Petrova K, Rogulina G, et al. New data on the therapy of asthenic

conditions (clinical prospects for the use of Rhodiola extract). Proceedings of

All-

Russia Conference: Urgent Problems in Psychopharmacology 1970 May 26-29.

Sverdlovsk, Russia: Sverdlovsk Press; 1970.p. 215-7.

(7.) Spasov A, Wikman G, Mandrikov V, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled

pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-%

extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period

with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine 2000;7(2):85-89.

(8.) Saratikov A, Krasnov E. Chapter III: Stimulative properties of Rhodiola

roseas.

In: Saratikov A, Krasnov E, editors. Rhodiola rosea is a valuable medicinal

plant

(Golden Root). Tomsk, Russia: Tomsk State University; 198.p. 69-90.

(9.) Gerasimova H. Effect of Rhodiola rosea extract on ovarian functional

activity.

Proc of Scientific Conference on Endocrinology and Gynecology. Sverdlovsk,

Russia. 1970 Sept 15-16. Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. P.

46-48.

(10.) Saratikov A, Krasnov E. Chapter VIII: Clinical studies of Rhodiola. In:

Saratikov A, Krasnov E, editors. Rhodiola rosea is a valuable medicinal plant

(Golden Root). Tomsk, Russia: Tomsk State University Press; 1987. p. 216-227.

(11.) Brown R, Gerbarg P, Ramazanov Z. Rhodiola rosea; A Phytomedicinal

Overview. HerbalGram 2002;56:40-52.