What Can Rhodiola Rosea Do For You?

Ever heard of the herb Rhodiola rosea?

I’m not even sure where I heard about it, but I did a little research on Wikipedia and found this:

Rhodiola rosea (Golden Root, Roseroot) is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold regions of the world.

Rhodiola rosea is effective for improving mood and alleviating depression. Russian research shows that it improves both physical and mental performance, reduces fatigue, and prevents high-altitude sickness. In one study, the Rhodiola rosea group decreased proofreading errors by 88% while the control group increased proofreading errors by 84%. Rhodiola rosea’s effects are attributed to its ability to optimise serotonin and dopamine levels, due to monoamine oxidase inhibition and to its influence on opioid peptides such as beta-endorphins.

Substances like these are referred to as adaptogens. They differ from stimulants, and do not have the same health consequences as nicotine, etc.

In Russia, Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life. It has also been used for centuries in Scandinavia, both by the Vikings and the Sámi.

It sounds pretty cool, but it’s one more pill to add to the pile… Perhaps it would be best for people with extremely stressful lives.