Imagine this: You’re working late to finish an important project you’ve been toiling through all week. You’re exhausted, but the deadline is tomorrow; for now rest is not an option. Your focus, stamina, and time are quickly running out, and suddenly you’re stuck reaching for another cup of coffee, soda, or an energy-shot to get you through the night.
Rhodiola rosea has been used to address athletic stamina, weight, sexual health, memory, mood, and fatigue!
If only you had known at the beginning of this project that there was something you could do to prepare yourself for the stress and sleep deprivation! Perhaps it could have been avoided, or at the very least lessened. Because there is, in fact, another option when it comes to boosting your energy–one that doesn’t come with jitters, added sugar, or mystery chemicals and artificial flavors. So what is it, you ask? Let us introduce you to Rhodiola rosea.
Rhodiola rosea is an adaptogenic herb that originates from the Arctic regions of Europe and Asia. In those areas, Rhodiola rosea has been used medicinally for centuries; in the United States, it has just recently begun to receive the recognition it deserves. As a tonic, Rhodiola rosea has been used to address a bulk of health matters, from athletic stamina, weight, and sexual health, to memory and mood. But among all of Rhodiola rosea’s impressive functions, there is one that stands out to us the most: attending to fatigue.
If you’re anything like the average American, the scenario we shared at the beginning of this article probably sounded a little too familiar. As a country, we have earned the reputation of being workaholics, and rightfully so! Americans work longer days, take fewer vacations, and retire later than a majority of the rest of the world, including the English, French, Germans, and–more recently–even the Japanese. And in a culture where workhorses appear to be, well, just normal horses, it can be difficult, even career-damaging, to always walk away when you need a break.
Of course, nothing will refresh you quite like the typical advice: eating nutritious meals, staying physically active, and getting adequate sleep are must-do’s for fighting chronic fatigue and generally staying in good health. But if you’re still running out of time and energy every once in a while (and who isn’t?), supplementing with Rhodiola rosea could be the ace up your sleeve.
Rhodiola rosea contains both salidroside and rosavins–phytochemicals that allow the herb to interact with the central nervous system (brain and spine) to alter the way our bodies deal with stress and fatigue. Studies have shown that these constituents may affect the amounts and activities of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters are known to be responsible for our feelings of happiness, reward-based behavior, and preparing our brains and bodies for action, respectively. Studies suggest that Rhodiola rosea restricts the enzymes responsible for deteriorating these neurotransmitters, and helps to move them more easily around the brain, making them more available for use.
By normalizing physiological imbalances, adaptogens
stabilize our bodies and allow them to function at their highest, healthiest capacity.
Of course, these effects are most notable when using a high-quality supplement, and not all Rhodiolas are created equal. The most important factor when choosing a supplement is to ensure that it is Rhodiola rosea. While there are several species of Rhodiola, only Rhodiola rosea contains rosavins–those useful phytochemicals that allow Rhodiola rosea to work on your nervous system. For this reason, rosavins are now the accepted marker for genetically pure Rhodiola rosea.
After you have confirmed the species of Rhodiola, you’ll also want to check that the supplement is standardized for both rosavins and salidroside. When a constituent is standardized, it is guaranteed to be present in the listed amount (usually a percentage) in the supplement. Since rosavins and salidroside are the known active compounds in Rhodiola rosea, you’ll want to be sure that they are available in adequate amounts in any Rhodiola supplement you choose to take. In clinical studies, the standardization of Rhodiola rosea is often 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside.
Keep in mind, however, that there could very well be useful constituents in Rhodiola rosea that are still unobserved by scientists, and you don’t want to leave them out! Therefore, it would be wise to stick to a supplement that is also full spectrum. Full-spectrum supplements contain all constituents of an herb, in the same ratios naturally found in the plant, guaranteeing you get some of everything it has to offer.
As always, look for a supplement that is all-natural. There are many supplements that contain fillers, binders, flowing agents, and other chemicals. While the price of these supplements may be lower, it comes at the cost of purity and efficacy. Remember: the quality of your supplements will directly affect the quality of your results, so choose wisely!
Take, for example, the full spectrum Rhodiola rosea supplement from the Adaptogens® line by Kroeger Herb Products®. Each vegetarian capsule contains 276 mg of Rhodiola rosea root extract in a base of 161 mg of raw Rhodiola rosea root. It is standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidroside, and contains no added chemicals. Kroeger Herb’s Rhodiola Rosea is available for sale at Hanna’s Herb Shop, as well as other wellness stores and practitioners across the country.
Adding an adaptogen like Rhodiola rosea to your routine can support your whole body.
A quality Rhodiola rosea supplement can lead to better quality of life, relieved of fatigue and the unhealthy habits typically used to fight it. You can nourish your nervous system and put everything you’ve got into everything you have to do. So, the next time you’re starting to feel burned out, reach for a bottle of Rhodiola rosea and take back your energy and your life, the natural way.
Rhodiola isn’t the only superb herb you should check out! There are plenty of adaptogenic plants, each with something wonderful to bring to those seeking to live a busy but healthy lifestyle.
Adaptogens are natural substances that help the body adapt to physical, biological, emotional, and environmental stressors. By normalizing physiological imbalances, adaptogens stabilize our bodies and allow them to function at their highest, healthiest capacity. Adaptogens are defined by their non-specific response in the body, going to work wherever they are needed most. In addition to being tonics, many adaptogens are unique in that they have particular strengths relating to certain ailments, such as energy, anxiety, insomnia, sexual health, immune strength, depression, and beyond. We believe there is an adaptogen for everyone!
Want to learn more about these extraordinary herbs? Keep an eye on our blog for more posts in our series on adaptogens! Next we will detail the nutrient-packed superfood, Goji Berry!
The post Rise to the Top with Rhodiola appeared first on Hanna Kroeger Blog.
