Rhodiola Rosea: Boost Health, Reduce Stress & Aging

I have been taking 500 mg of Rhodiola by NOW and have begun to suffer from severe anxiety. The anxiety is so severe it borders on anxiety attacks. I exercise daily and eat well, but taking Rhodiola has sent me to counseling. At first I didn't know why I was feeling so out-of-control until it dawned on me...... it was the Rhodiola.

Hi Craig, I have always benefited from Chinese herbs so am a big advocate of them. I use Ron Teeguarden's Chinese herbs because I have such faith in his ethics and he is so passionate about his work. I have had the great fortune of hearing him speak a few times and his knowledge is absolutely remarkable. I have even been able to speak with him for personal advice regarding my health. His site also offers a lot of valuable information.

He goes back and forth between here and China often to check on his plants, herbs and sources. So, though he uses Wild Tibetan Rhodiola which is mentioned in the section you are referring to, I have no doubts of the quality he offers. I use his 8 Immortals formula which has this in it but my results are amazing. I have so much energy and find I wake up easily at about 5:45am after using this now on a regular basis. You might want to check it out. I will add the link to the actual Formula I take but, you will then be on his site.

http://www.dragonherbs.com/prodinfo.asp?number=017

He offers other formulas as well with this as an ingredient but it is not offered alone. Often in Chinese medicine, you will find that combinations are superior as the formulas have key and supporting players.

I hope this helps, Lisa

Hi... Would you please suggest resources from which I can procure the appropriate form of Rhodiola as mentioned in your article, "Rhodiola Cures and Side Effects"? Please advise. Regards, Craig

I'm also trying to find Siberian Rhodiola, the root, not a tincture or pills. I'm looking for the root in chopped rather than powdered form. I have not been able to find it online. Anyone have any ideas? If you want a tincture with both alcohol and glycerine, Herb Pharm makes one with Siberian hand-picked rhodiola rosea.

For Bruce and any others who are interested: I am not too well-versed in supplements and am here to learn. But I read your letter and thought of something I have had experience with. Although there many kinds of herbs and natural supplements that may be recommended here, there is something else that can often get relief very quickly. It costs nothing, is simple, and easy to learn. It is especially effective on emotional issues. It is called, "tapping" or EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) and it really works. It has even proven to be a Godsend for people with PTSD.

Go to www.garythink.com and even though you might think it silly or impossible... Just try it once. I believe you will feel relief instantly!

I have had severe anxiety for years. At first I tried SSRIs but had too many side effects. Then I tried SNRI (cymbalta) and this worked for me but was very sedating as well as having sexual side effects. When my insurance ran out I could not pay the $400 a month for the dose I needed so I transitioned to Rhodiola. I was looking around trying to find something that might help my norepinephrine levels since plain old SSRI always seemed to make my symtoms worse. I take 680mg (3% rosavins) a day and seem to be holding steady. I have slightly more anxiety than on perscription drugs, but I am doing much better than not taking anything. I also do not have as much sedation and sexual side effects. Breathing exercises and working out really seem to be helping. I also take 4000 grams of epa/dha (fish oil) daily. I am not a doctor, just someone who has suffered with debilitating anxiety since 2000. Everyone's chemistry is different and this worked for me, and costs about $30 a month.

Hi Jennifer - What you are describing sounds like carbon monoxide poisoning to me. Your entire family is effected? That is not normal. If I were you I would have ALL of my gas appliances checked out by a professional HVAC type person. Also, make sure nobody is starting a car and letting it warm up in the garage, and no other gas type items or BBQ's are being used indoors, or any enclosed type area off of the house.

I would open my windows 24 hours a day until you verify that you are not being overloaded with carbon monoxide. Serious business. In small doses you can feel like you are describing, groggy, sleepy, out of it, like you have the flu.... In larger doses it can KILL YOU IN YOUR SLEEP! Please get it checked!

My family has an over sleeping habits that have made life in the real world hard. Also, when we wake up we still are so groggy and half asleep that walking into walls and driving on the wrong side of the street is a normal thing. When I started rhodiola 1 year ago it changed my life in quality. I am prone to getting on whatever I could to keep me awake to be able to get through life, and anti depressants? Well, lets just say I got to try all of them on for size at one time or another. Thanks to this remarkable plant I am off of them and happy.

Rhodiola Rosea is a miracle for shift work. I began using it for sleeping issues/ libido about 1 year ago. Wow has it helped. It works by regulating the body's brain chemicals and hormones. I actually have a health business now that sells the stuff, so I buy my own brand. I find it to be the best quality one I've had out of the 5 kinds I have used.

I've been taking rhodiola 1000 mg 3x per day.. I went to a naturalpathic Dr.. For peri menopause and she tested my adrenals for stress. My urine test scored a 9 and should have been between a 17 and and a 25... I find this wonderful herb the best.. It helps with my hormones, no mood swings.. Depression, stress and is an antioxidant.. Im to return to the Dr.. to get my adrenals tested after taking it for 2 months.. I know there will be an improvment.. It also helps with sleep.

Hello where can I get the true Russian version of Rhodiola Rosea? Thanks

Bruce, also remember that cancer cannot survive in an alkaline body, so lots of organic green juices. No sugar, because cancer feeds on sugar. No meat because it is acidic. No processed foods.

Also a book I am reading at the moment by Dr. H. E. Kirschner ("Live Juices") speaks of the amazing properties of carrots. This was written in about 1959 and says even back then food was losing its nutritional value. He says the way to get nutrition into the body is via juicing. He says that in the past carrots were known as an antiseptic in the body. They clear up toxins in the body and heal it. He cited some people in the book (with photographs) who were on nothing but a carrot juice diet (not even water) for sometimes over 12 months and they cured their cancers. They ate or drank nothing else. A baby who was born with leukemia drank nothing but carrot juice for the first three months of his life to no ill effect. One little boy was 2 1/2 and for 2 years had nothing but carrots. His transformation in the photos was amazing. Organic carrots would be the best of course. Funny, none of them turned orange (like we have been led to believe by eating too many carrots!! ).

All the best

Debbie, Thanks for the information on the tea for my wife. I am going to dedicate my day to researching this.

Bruce, so sorry about your wife. It would make anyone wake up with a sick stomach every morning.

I know you didn't ask about your wife but has she tried Essiac Tea for the cancer? If you go to youtube and search for Rene Caisse, she cured people of even advanced cancer with Essiac Tea in about the 1940's. Many came to her unable to even walk after being given up by their Doctors and in a short time were able to walk back into her clinic. She was eventually shut down. The videos are very telling as to what is happening in the medical world.

You need the original Rene Case Essiac Tea. When you take the tea the tumor will go slightly bigger and turn hard as it is healing and then go.

She could also take comfrey leaves and roots in a tea. Comfrey has been used for thousands of years medicinally.

Also if she stops everything in her diet including all meat and dairy (except the teas above) and drinks nothing else but green smoothies (wheatgrass, chlorella and spirulina). Cancer cannot survive in an alkaline body. Wheatgrass also contains B17 which is anticancer. She could remain in these juices for a long time as they will provide all the needed nutrients she needs.

I'm sorry. I've read this entire blog and came away with several versions and several dosages. Some from Siberia, Some from Canada, some from Asia.

I need something to relieve my stress and depression I've developed over my wife's diagnosis of advanced cancer. I'm depressed and simply wake up sick to my stomach every morning. This cannot help her either.

Can someone give me a link to a spot that they know works for certain (has the 3% rosavins, salidroside, Siberian, choice of dosages, etc.)?

Thanks to all......

Rhodiola is not really used for pain, it has only been shown in studies to improve mood and "energy" but I've never heard of it being used for pain.

I disagree that Rhodiola has to be from Siberia. How are you going to find it if you are in North America? Sure the seeds have to be shipped from Finland or Siberia. But then you can grow them in Alberta as Alberta farmers have done here in Canada for several years. And then the root can be processed into supplements. I even bought some seedlings of Rhodiola from Harmonic Herbs in Barrhead AB and planted them in my backyard, they appear to be doing well. Once the plants grow I'm using the leaves and flowers to make Rhodiola tea, and around 2017 once I know how to harvest the roots, I will do that too. In October of this year I plan on gettings some seeds germinating in the cold and then once they are big enough in the small planters, planting them in the front yard, here in Calgary.

Mom2, yes, I have generalized anxiety disorder and mild OCD. I use Natural Calm. A little pricey but worth it! I also recommend epsom baths or bathing in the ocean as an alternative. Yoga and meditation also helps a lot, although the meditation heightened my anxiety in the beginning.

I've only been on Rhodiola a few days, but I seem to be having the opposite affect. I'm tired, and sad. I took 350 mg for several days, thought it was too high so I found Gaiya brand at 250 mg. Still napping twice a day, no impetus to do anything. I get stuff done eventually, but no zeal-always a chore. Break up issues, very alone, and work related sadness, money issues-maybe I'm just too depressed for this to work. Any feedback.

It is also grown in somewhat limited quantities in Alaska.

On your site you indicated that Rhodiola should only be from Siberia. What studies indicate this? Given that I live in Canada and I want this herb how am I to get it? It actually is grown here in Alberta, which is cold here like Siberia in Russia. The town of Thorsby has numerous farmers that grow Rhodiola. There is a seller that sells the seeds to individuals from Barrhead, AB. You can grow your own in your yard here. Rhodiola is available from supplement companies in eastern B. C. And A. B. So you know its grown locally and it does work. It does something, the effects are subtle, but it is worth the money. It makes me very happy that I can grow it in my backyard and that it is locally grown because it is so cold here in Alberta most of the year. So forget about that nonsense of having to go to Siberia. It is available in North America also.

I have a question about the Rhodiola. You mentioned you had taken Citalopram. Did you take the Rhodiola while you were taking the other meds? I currently take 40 mg of Citalopram daily, and am a bit concerned with mixing the two, but really like what I am reading about Rhodiola and would like to give it a try. I just dont seem to get the results that I think I should from the Citalopram, however have been on it for years because its been "just o. K. " and havent wanted to go through the trouble of weining off it and starting a new one.

If you could also let me know where the best place to purchase TRUE Rhodiola is, that would be much appreciated.

Thank you, Pam

Rhodiola is amazing. I am completely normal while taking this product and if I run out I am unable to keep up the vigorous daily schedule I have, high school teacher, tutor after school, practice 1 1/2 hours yoga daily, single mom, home owner. I had been getting exhausted in the afternoons recently (after taking 1 capsule 250 miligrams daily for about 1 year) I started taking another one in afternoon and my day can continue throughout the evening in a more balanced and productive way ( with a smile ) instead of miserable. I sleep by 10:30, 11 each night and arise at 4:45 feeling rested. I WAS NEVER LIKE THIS. Thanks to my naturopath doctor who recommended it after I refused anti-depressants, or anxiety medicine. THIS STUFF WORKS. I wish more people new about it!

Mary please tell me what you're using as moisturizer called VCO. Thank you!

I had a similar experience. I took Rhodiola _____ brand for about 1 week (2 per day) followed by ____ brand (2 per day most days, 1 per day occassionally) for about 2. 5 weeks and my period was late. The day after my period was due, I stopped taking Rhodiola after reading other comments on this website. My period is now 1 week late. Rhodiola was very effective for treating anxiety, however I am quite concerned about this side effect and what it may mean for my reproductive cycle. In case it is relevant, I have had mild cramping. Also, I am definitely not pregnant as confirmed by 2 pregnancy tests.

After months of reading about ACV treatments and uses and getting great ideas and info from others, I can finally contribute a bit to this great site. I read about someone looking for Rhodiola rosea. I actually started taking this just over a month ago. For me it has helped reduce that brain fog I have from FM. The energy increase for me has been noticable. The other thing I have read from online research is that it can also help with stopping smoking, currently assessing this (hope they are right). Anyways, the type I found in Canada with high quality guarantee was Rhoziva brand. After reading the stuff I could buy, this was the best for me. Hope this can help others. Not sure if it still works but I even got a discount code NGS25 for 25% off since their free shipping was for 5 boxes or more and since I didn't know how the product worked didn't want to do more then two. Will be updating results after more time has passed, so far, "yea" to rhodiola rosea.

After doing cosiderable research on brands, and trying to find one that is "Siberian", I have located a brand that I will stand by. However, I don't want to sound like I am selling something on here. You can email me at home4us2004 (at) yahoo. com, and I will be happy to share.

I also want to add that I just started my 17 year old son on Rhodiola. He has ADHD and anxiety. We tried the pharmaceutical route, but he hated all the side effects. What he said to me the first day he took it was "My Brain Felt Relief".

Hello! Thank you for your imput on Rhodiola, I will purchase this for my hubby & son! Swanson Vitamins- many people on the site as myself recommend them and they're half the price of GNC.

Gb08, thanks for your Rhodiola post as I recalled that I had failed to include it in one of my recent post on tonic or CHI herbs. R seems a great stand-alone herb, but I would still rotate with others in that class as the body has such complex needs. I have used NOW Rhodiola but I can't verify anything as my condition is such, but if you're looking for potency, always buy "standardized extract" of whichever brand; and herb potencies do vary from region-to-region and crop-to-crop so it's good to also rotate brands. Nature's Answer, Nature's Way, Nature's Sunshine have long been considered "superior" brands from my personal experience, but I don't hesitate to buy generic brands especially if the price is right.

One good indicator of potency is smell. When you first open the bottle get a good whiff (usually the stronger the odor the greater the potency) or always smell before consuming as this signals the body to its oncoming natural beneficiary; sort of like Aroma Therapy, but it's simply a synergistic mechanism allowing the body to "know" the particular substance.

I started taking Rhodiola 5 days ago and have immediately noticed improvements across the board! I take one capsule (340 mg of Rhodiola) in the morning and have seen an increase in my energy. I work long hours and often times have found myself drained by the end of a long shift; with Rhodiola in my system I've worked some of the longest/hardest shifts of my life and felt COMPLETELY FINE by the end! My memory has improved and I have noticed a tangible spike in my happiness/personality. It's a wonder drug, and taking it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I used to take SSRIs like sertraline and citalopram and this makes me feel much better, without the nasty side effects!

Question: Does anyone have a brand that they swear by? I use the GNC version but am considering looking for something more potent. Thanks!!

I have taken Rhodiola daily for the past 7 years. When I had a high-pressure job, it helped me to stay calm and organized through the multi-taskings I had to do. My daughter is a stay-at-home mom with a 2 year old. I purchased a bottle for her. I have a full-time job, family, and also go to school. My memory isn't what it used to be and neither is my patience. I won't go a day without taking this.

Friends of mine thank me for encouraging them to purchase Rhodiola. It's wonderful.

Pertaining to the following paragraph:

You should buy only Rhodiola of Russian origin with key active components of Rosavin, Rosarin and Rosin. Be careful -- in the USA, Rhodiola rosea formulas sold as "Tibetan" Rhodiola or Chinese Rhodiola contain no active components. These formulas lack the key ingredient Rosavins while they are high in Salidroside. Supposedly, only Rhodiola from West and North Siberia contains the critical components of Rosavin, Rosarin and Salidroside.

What are the names of the Russian products and where can they be purchased?

Ella, St. Johns Wort is standard herb for depression. I get good results in combination with the amino acid Tyrosine. Consider 3 mg Melatonin before retiring for good night sleep AND a Glutathione boost. Take a good multivitamin/mineral supplement w/ every meal. Maybe extra Vit B-12 and D.

There are very many causes of Depression, have you tried any detoxification or body cleanses, fast???

Any type spiritual practice, particularly Meditation can allow some degree of light from BEING into consciousness. Cannabis is a wonderful happy herb, but can cause anxiety if used improperly.

Hope this helps.

I was first introduced to Rhodiola in 2005 for depression, with excellent results the first time in my life I felt alive. The store closed and I haven't been able to find any other rhodiola that works for me they either send my anxiety levels way too high or I suffer from deliberating headaches. I am not sure if the fillers cause problems or the rhodiola is not good quality, I would love to feel alive again please can anyone help.

Is there a difference between rhodiola rosea and rhodiola rosea root extract? I have bought both in the past but nothing worked like the stores own brand I tried in 2005.