The 4 Key Health Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea

Holistic Nutrition

Growing in the high altitudes of northern climates of places in Europe, Alaska and Asia, is the golden root called artic root. Artic root, or Rhodiola rosea, or roseroot, is a fragrant root of a herb that is said to offer adeptogenic properties. This means that this herb could aid the body to adapt to internal and external stressors.

Rhodiola rosea has been used for centuries for medical purposes in countries like Greece, Russia, middle Asia and Scandinavia. The benefits that this root could offer ranged from weight loss to increased mood. There are countless ailments that this root has been used for. Here are only a few that are well recorded and researched.

1 Used to lift mental and physical fatigue

It has been could that Rhodiola rosea could increase your red blood count. The implication of that action is that it could alleviate physical and mental fatigue. The reason for this action and reaction is that with an increase red blood count comes more oxygen to your muscles, but also a decrease of inflammation. The benefit of this root is thus not just restricted to athletes, but ideal for people that need to stay alert and focused in the corporate environment.

2 Used to reduce the symptoms of depression

Both depression and major depressive disorder have been found to be effectively treated with Rhodiola rosea root. That is since this root could increase dopamine and serotonin, which are two vital neurotransmitters that affect memory, mood and concentration.

3 Used to increase physical endurance

The herb, Rhodiola rosea has also been used to increase physical endurance. It does that by decreasing your heart rate, but also to reduce recovery time after each workout. This means that you will be able to work out longer and more frequently.

4 Used to lose weight

The herb, Rhodiola rosea can also be used to decrease body fat and aid in weight reduction. Internal abdominal fat, or visceral fat, can be dangerous. If this herb is taken with a moderate exercise then visceral fat can be broken down. This is since the active compound rosavin stimulates lipase, which is an enzyme that breaks down fat.

The side effects of Rhodiola rosea

Rhodiola rosea does not have any noted side effects or complications. However, some stated that they experiences a jittery feeling after taking the supplement.

It should also be pointed out that, like most supplements, Rhodiola rosea has not been approved by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA). More so, the studies to test the effectiveness and side effects of this supplement is rather restricted. But the studies that have been completed did not indicate any negative side effects. Still the worst side effect is that this supplement might be ineffective.

Still with any supplement, or herb for that matter, there are some risks attached. These risks are associated with the dosage, the purity of the product, and the quality of the product. Therefore, there should always be some degree of concern, especially if the supplement is not regulated by any regulating agency. To add to that, the long-term safety of using such a supplement has also not been confirmed.

The concluding remarks about Rhodiola rosea

The supplement, Rhodiola rosea does offer many different potential health benefits, and has a small number of latent side effects. It should also be added that more research is needed, but what we do know is that the preliminary studies have shown positive signs that Rhodiola rosea holds up to the anecdotal evidence that has been assembled for several hundred years.

The only slight side effect is that of a feeling of jitteriness. If you cannot handle this side effect, then it would be best if you stop taking this supplement, or you could cut your dosage of this supplement.