Rhodiola Rosea: Boost Health, Reduce Stress & Aging

I've experienced positive results from taking a supplement called Rhodiola force 300, by New Chapter. I don't have bipolar disorder but was taking it at an intensely stressful time. What I experienced was amazing. My mood was elevated, I had mental clarity and I was functioning optimally. How many of us can say that on a regular basis? It took the edge completely off, without making me feel wired or tired. It just calmed me the perfect amount. I didn't feel drugged or anything strange- just really well! When I purchased this product, I was told that it was potent. It was recommended by the health food store employee where I frequent. He personally takes the product and was the one to tell me that it was a stress adaptogen, which means that it helps the body deal better with stress. I definitely needed it! I would recommend it for high levels of stress, but cannot speak for anyone having bipolar disorder. I believe there is a less potent Rhodiola product available by New Chapter, also. I've also read that Holy Basil is another stress adaptogen, but haven't tried it.

Best way to test rhodiola is to take it in small doses and see if your brain chemistry likes it. Not doubt some brands are better than others. I didn't have great results when I tried it, but I only tried one brand. I have read on Earth Clinic that 5 days on and 2 days off for supplements each week is wise. I try to give my body a break from all supplements once in a while. Good luck.

Hi Mary,

I don't have the answer to the questions you asked, which are certainly valid questions. However, I thought I would pass along my two cents on using supplements for health conditions. I agree that the ideal would be to not have to be dependent on any supplements for good health. At the same time, it isn't the same as having to be dependent upon pharmaceuticals that have side effects. And it beats having to live life with an uncomfortable or painful health condition.

A lot of herbs and natural remedies are helping the body to normalize or they are providing our bodies with something they are missing to function the best. For example, I take an iodine supplement daily. I was diagnosed with low thyroid a few years ago and my symptoms were miserable. I started to take prescription medication which made me feel worse. A lot of research and trial and error and I found that an idodine supplement helped me to feel better and, at least by bloodwork, I don't have low thyroid anymore. If I quit the iodine supplement, my symptoms return. Well, I hear that the iodine in our soil is depleted (as with many other important nutrients.) So, I keep taking the iodine. The thyroid gland needs it and I feel better taking it.

At the same time, my son had an asthma problem. We treated him with nettles. It worked so well for him. He took nettles for a year or more. Interestingly, he no longer needs the nettles, and he no longer has asthma. Often times herbs do cure a health condition.

Well, that is just some food for thought. I hope you find a good solution for your situation!

~Mama to Many~

The longer you can go between panic attacks, the calmer you become. Initially, you become very sensitive to what you think are triggers of attacks by association, such as "if I sat in the middle of a crowd and thought I may not be able to leave, " bringing on an attack, you may think "I won't be in crowds and will avoid an attack." The longer you go without an attack, the fewer associations will be made and the more confident you will become to be able to handle situations where you feel overwhelmed. Your sensitivities diminish the longer you can go about your business without an attack, so anything that helps in this way is beneficial.

I am writing about the use of Rhodiola. I know how bad anxiety and panic attacks feel like I had them many years. It shocks me that so many have taken Rhodiola to feel better. I know how one wants to get better in a hurry. For me that makes me worried anything that makes you feel that good in such a short time seems troublesome to me. I don't like counting on something so much that I can't get over these panic attacks on my own.

I do understand a little help but will I have to take this the rest of my life? Has anyone gotten better just taking this for a short time?

I have been taking this for depression and anxiety for 6 weeks and feel fantastic. I buy mine at whole foods. I take the elixir. You can also purchase it online. Make sure you get alcohol free rholiola root.

Before taking 5HTP please BE CAREFUL and Read This WARNING before taking it: http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-794-5-HTP.aspx?activeIngredientId=794&activeIngredientName=5-HTP

Do rhodiola tablets cause indigestion or any other side effects?

Hi Hawaiianrose - lovely name! Oddly enough, I was going through my archived emails this morning when I came across some information about ribose and fatigue. Dr. Teitelbaum wrote several books about fatigue and, I believe, suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome himself while in medical school. Here's the excerpt from the article:

In a clinical study, Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum, medical director of the Fibromyalgia and Fatigue Centers, took a group of 36 patients who suffered from fatigue, and gave each one a small bottle of ribose. He then told them to take the ribose daily until the bottle was empty. Result? The patients saw a dramatic improvement in their energy levels. Plus, they also reported to sleep better… think clearer… and enjoy improved well-being.

It might be worth a try - just make sure it is 100% pure ribose powder (not a capsule with fillers).

Also, I'm wondering if you have to take rhodiola for longer than a couple of weeks to see any benefits. Maybe if you continue for a few months.

The other thing about fatigue - you really need to drink enough water (not juice, tea, energy drinks, etc. ) - but pure water with a bit of sea salt in it as recommended by Dr. Batmanghelidj (your library should have some of his books, as well as Teitelbaum's books). There are several people on this site who highly recommend the "water cure" as it is known.

Have you tried any of the other remedies on Earth Clinic's adrenal fatigue page?

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/adrenal_fatigue.html

One last thought - have you had your thyroid checked recently?

I wish you the best of luck finding your personal remedy for fatigue. Take care, Bess

I have been taking Rhodiola standardized 250 mg every morning for awhile now for fatigue, and trying to go off caffeine to heal my adrenals. So far I havent seen any results, I feel so tired, and am a bit discouraged cause I cant do what I need to do during the day. Am I the only one who hasn't had a miracle effect from Rhodiola? I been taking it for a couple weeks. 1 in am on empty stomach and 1 at lunch or afternoon.

I am also taking Monolaurin for Epstein Barr symptoms, cutting out alcohol, caffeine, gluten, corn, and dairy in case of allergies. I am just going back to bed today due to extreme fatigue... Anyone know of good supplements for adrenal fatigue. Thanks.

Hey Catherine, I am thinking you should stay on the rhodiola but limit your intake to one per day at lunch time.. I have recently been taking this to help with side effects after taking Champix or Chamtix in US and EU, nothing else was working to decrease the dark moods and anger and anxiety I was having... this "goldenroot" is an incredible herb.. Here's wishing you well... Long Live Christchurch

Rhodiola Herbal supplement: This supplement - I purchased for my daughter I thought was supposed to help her focus- I started to take it. This supplement made me feel SUPER anxious, extrememly irritated, jittery and just did not do what I was told it would do. I would not recommend this to anybody. I purchased mine from GNC for $29.00 and I regret it. I wish I did my research first on this. I took it for a week before I realized that it was this herb that was making me feel out of sorts.

I've just finished my first bottle of Rhodiola 500 mg. as suggested by my doctor. I have definitely noticed an increase in my energy level and its enhanced my mood. I stopped in a local vitamin store to purchase another bottle, but they only 300 mg. and I was told taking 2 capsules is okay. From what I've read, the 600 mg dose is still good for energy and depression, but at doses in the 1,200 - 1,500 have sedating effects. I can really feel a difference taking Rhodiola. I'm glad my doctor recommended it!

I'm sorry to add a negative to such high praise on rhodiola but I have to add my own experience as cautionary tale. I have had high levels of anxiety recently lots of adrenal bursts and not being able to sleep which is how I came to the local health food store - for something to help me unwind and relieve exhausted adrenals (my herbalist since directed me to not take anything that would stimulate my adrenals anymore than they were already) in ignorance I continued with the Rhodiola in the mistaken belief they were to have a sedating effect. Tonight I took two. My blood pressure has gone bursurk I have palpitations in my chest like I've drunk 4 or 5 espresso's. I have not had a decent nights sleep for several days now and I'm exhausted - now I have to wait for the rhodiola to wear off. If you are thinking of taking it (it probably does have a mood elevating effect - but then most stimulants probably do) start on a small dose early in the day and monitor your response to it. I have been taking other supplements which I blamed first, now I know it was the Rhodiola without question. I'm very pleased to hear it's been the answer for most people, I will suffer this out knowing that at least some folk are doing better because of it but will save it for a time when I'd other wise chew on a coffee bean.

I saw something on TV recently about Mountain Dew containing some dangerous additive.

I took rhodiola root by FSC, when I first began taking it I began to get happy and feel the benfits after about 30 minutes. But it depends what compounds you take as some can have a calming affect like with Solgar.

I was told a couple of years ago the company who produces FSC Rhodiola Root, went bankrupt, but I figured this was because not enough people were talking about because they wanted to keep it a secret (it was that good). I found it on a website last night and immediately bought even though I'm unsure whether the tablets will be regulated? I'm so despurate for a good rhodiola root that makes me feel rumbustious. I am naturally suffer from anxiety attacks and mild depression because of this issue. I just want more from life and embrace it.

Please can you help me out with a regulated UK brand and let me know whether I should trust this website selling the FSC rhodiola root?

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

Rhodiola root changed my life for the better, as soon as I began taking it 6 years ago I started seeing the brighter side of life. I told the doctor and he said be careful as you can get yourself into situations that you dont know how to get out of because youve never done it before. Low and behold thats whats happened to me. I became so emotionally powerful that it was like limetless the movie, like a role in my own movie. I read morning and night to improve my vocabulary and communication skills. I met influential people. Im not taking it now as these cancerous people ruined me cos they hated how well and mantally fast I was. So the moral of the story is be careful on it.

I would give Holy Basil, valerian root, and 5HTP a try. They have helped me with depression and somewhat with anxiety. For the anxiety you may want to try EFT (emotional freedom technique). Lots of youtube videos on using EFT for anxiety. EFT got me through some really bad anxiety and I felt a huge difference after just 10min of doing EFT.

Rhodiola: for depression and stress relief: I've been taking 100mg a day 1/2hr before meals for about 3wks nor hoping to relieve nerve tension my nerves are bad. I'm 43 yrs old. I consider myself to be a healthy individual I have posterial tremors in (nerve shaking in hands and legs) as well as mild depression and stress. The only other only herbal supplements I take are calcium, vitamin D. The only changes I've noticed with taking rhodiola is my sleep pattern. It helps me wake up in the morning without feeling so tired. I don't have trouble sleeping. I fall asleep easily but hard for me to wake up in the morning without feeling if I haven't gotten enough sleep even though I have. That's the only noticeable change I've felt. I need something to calm my nereves I feel anxious at times and jittery. What would you recommend?

Rhodiola side effects and want to purchase in oz: I would like to know where in Australia I can get the siberian safe rhodiola. I also am worried of what it can do to other healthy parts of the brain.

I'm curious as to how long any of you taking Rhodiola had to take it before noticing the effects? Thanks!

Rhodiola from PureBulk

I buy my rhodiola from purebulk. I have my own capsules I put it in. There is no additives in it. Much cheaper to do it this way also. I started to take it mostly for my menopause.

I love taking this stuff as I never ever get depressed. It can be dark dismal weather for a week and I still feel awesome. I have been taking this for about one year. Every morning one capsule.

Thanks for posting this. I'm a healthy 56 yo, with a heart of a 26 yo, no history of heart disease in my family, non smoker and non drinker, I am in ICU right now with arrhythmic palpitations that almost killed me. I will see my cardiologist tomorrow and tell him that there is no doubt in my mind it is the 275 mg Rhodiola Rosea I take daily.

I'm 45. I've purchased Rhodiola Rosea 1000mg online in the UK. One tablet per day, as a 250mg extract providing Rosavins 8mg. I've had these for some time, not taken, then yesterday, here alone, trying to sort my horrendously cluttered flat, I was feeling depressed then I just started to cry and cry and felt so lonely. In the end I thought about taking a tablet, anything to help... And blimey! , within an hour I was feeling calm and after months of thinking about it I managed to empty and store my 3 suitcases in the alcove behind the kitchen door and clear my hallway and some of the lounge! Is that coincidence? My flat now shows promise of how nice it can look! Anyway I've just had breakfast and taken my second Rhodiola Rosea tablet! I was worried they'd harm long-term but from this site they seem to be a boon of Mother Nature's bounty for us. God bless!

I have a very hectic stressful lifestyle and fatigue was consuming me everyday! Rhodiola helped me stop drinking Mt. Dew to get home (driving) everyday! And my thinking seems to be MUCH sharper!

sorry it on this thread xxxx i was trying to ask can we have a de-tox symtom page xxxxxxx that will be of great help to a lot of people xxxxx i was trying to contact e/c to suggest it xxxxx different regimes bring thier own sytoms with them xxx it will hit some of us hader than other's xx but 'sharing' will help a lot of people xxxxx we won'r all have the same ones xxxxx 'flu' symtom's is common xxxx but feeling 'worse' than that will happen xxxx i am sure a lot of folk would like to see othe'rs experience, so they know thier not going mad or dying xxx love andrea cc xxxxx

Hi Michael, It's awesome that you are getting such great results from your rhodiola! Where are you getting it from? Rhodiola is known to enhance both physical and mental endurance, it is beneficial for those living under stressful conditions(isn't that everyone these days?! ), is beneficial to the cardiovascular system and is a powerful immune strengthener. One very important aspect is, it is a safe and powerful antidepressant. So no wonder, you're having such great responses. Have you tried any other Chinese herbs? I like reishi and chaga mushroom to build the body since they are powerful adaptogens and also goji and schizandra which have unbelievable attributes as well. I love the way the Chinese herbs have helped me in so many ways and take them on a regular daily basis. My energy is steady and my health strong. Best to you! Lisa

BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS

I've been taking rhodiola for over a year now. It is a miricle herb. I'm so motivated to do all sorts of things every time I'm on it. I notice that I'm sharper and can concentrate better. I notice a ton more energy (note that my rhodiola is paired with a little green tea extract). When I run really hard, it hurts less (and I run really freaking hard lol). When I'm just having "one of those days" it always turns it around for me.

I do however get the "jitters", but better the jitters than the "ughs" or the "idon'twannas" I say lol.

What happened with your Dr. Did you get the results you epected? Just wondering because I'm having similar isues.

I am actually on the combined contrceptive pill, and the rhodiola has caused breakthrough bleeding, like a normal period. I too am hoping it will subside as the energy and mood effects of the rhodiola are excellent. I'd been on it 18 days when the spotting started, and 3 days later it has progressed to a normal period.

I wonder if this is a little known/rare side effect as there are only a handful of posters here over the last few years and I can't see any info about it anywhere else so far.

SJW and Vitex also cause this problem for me, so I had to discontinue use before I saw any results - I saw results with this stuff after the headaches went away and am so pleased - really don't want to stop! I'll give it some more time and see what happens, and will update this info when I know...

(started 100mg, now on 500mg per day, in the AM)

I also had a daily headache (that some here have mentioned) when I started taking the rhodiola but I persisted and they went away after 10 days.

Search herb pharm store locator to find stores that sell roots.

I have been in a job where I sell products such as rhodiola and energy drinks, pills, cubes, bars and many more! I have never thought that a pill would be noticeable to wake you up. But I'm in landscaping and took it every morning last week except thursday.. I had extreme fatigue all day, weak and loss energy all day. That friday I took it in the morning after sleeping 1.5 hours because I was up with girls and my friend, and I had more energy all day for that 10 hour shift than I was for 10 hours the thursday with full sleep. I do belive this works and im buying alot of it in the future to come!!

Hi Debra, I completely relate to your post, it happened to me too... In my case I started taking 5HTP (which is extracted from Rhodiola) for several reasons but it made me very anxious and extremelly irritated with everyone and everything to the point I was feeling a bit crazy. The problem went away after a couple of days of stopping taking it (I have tried it twice with the same results).

However I have recently given it a shot one more time and it is working wonders now, I love it! The trick it what time of the day you should to take it! You should read the book "Mood Cure" by Julia Ross. She will go into the 4 groups of mood maintenance chemicals our body needs in order to maintain good mental health, how to identify imbalances and properly supplement, and how to maintain it through diet once the issue is fixed. Go to her website and take the questionnaire, and get the book! It's like 10 bucks on B&N. I failed miserably on the serotonin group and 5HTP (taken properly) fixed it. It HEALED me and it was so easy! Good luck!

Hi Debra, I'm sorry you had such a experience from rhodiola use. This is why I tell people they should be evaluated by a qualified person before embarking on Chinese herb use. It is one thing to use the adaptogens but otherwise, there are lots of things considered about each individual before then recommending the herbs appropriate to the person's body state. I take rhodiola but it was given to me by a Chinese herbalist and it is also in a formula I use. I was told it would be good for me but if I saw any anxiety, to stop immediately. I have not seen that happen. When you got the rhodiola, did someone recommend it to you or did you just decide it sounded good?

You might want to consider calling Dragon Herbs and getting a free phone consultation where they will evaluate you through lots of questions and you explaining your lifestyle, etc. If you read the testimonies from both Meg and Sue here on the Latest Post page, you will see their experiences from this course of action.

Wishing you well, Lisa

Yes, heightened anxiety is known as a possible side effect of Rhodiola. Most people will not experience this, but I have also felt anxiety from taking Rhodiola.

The first time I took it, however, for a number of months, I experienced only the positive effects of increased energy and well-being. So it seems to depend on other factors in the body (metabolism, perhaps?)