Rhodiola Rosea: Tea of Life [Top 7 Health Benefits]

Rhodiola Rosea is an amazing herb that has a wide variety of uses and benefits.

It is believed to help fight depression, strengthen the nervous system, elevate the capacity for exercise, enhance the nervous system, improve immunity, promote weight loss, improve energy level, and increase sexual function.

For a long time, it has been considered a powerful adaptogen or a substance that helps normalize body functions and increases overall resistance. It most likely first came to light for its health benefits as it has been widely used as an anti-aging herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Around the world, common names for the plant are Arctic Root, Golden Root, King’s Crown, Lignum Rhodium, Orpin Rose, Rose Root Extract, Rosenroot, Roseroot, Rosewort, Siberian Golden Root, and Snowdown Rose.

Most herbalists have their favorite herb and mine for sure is Rhodiola Rosea. It’s the most beneficial life-enhancing herb we’ve got and I don’t know of anything that comes close. I know of many, many herbs that are highly beneficial and do a lot of good but not on this level. – Chris Kilham – Author and World-Renown Herbal Expert from MedicineHunter.com (watch the video at the end)

Benefits of Rhodiola Rosea

Let’s take a closer look at some of the top health benefits of Rhodiola Rosea and it’s two main active ingredients rosavin and salidroside.

Stress Relief

As a potent adaptogen, the herb elevates the non-specific resistance of the body and normalizes its functions.

When confronted with a stressful situation, adaptogen consumption will generate a level of non-specific resistance or generalized adaptation that will allow the body to address the situation in a more relaxed and resourceful way, thus lowering mental fatigue.

Adaptogens are believed to increase the cells’ ability to manufacture and optimize use of cell fuel. Decreasing anxiety is just one of this powerful herb’s alternative health benefits.

Muscle Recovery

The herbal supplement has been proven to work in shortening the recovery time after rigorous workout sessions. It elevates the level of enzymes, protein, and RNA that are vital to muscle recovery after undergoing a taxing physical activity.

It also has the ability to stimulate glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscles, muscle energy status, anabolic activity, and muscle protein synthesis.

Nootropic Cognitive Enhancer

According to studies utilizing proofreading tests, the supplement boosts a person’s concentration and ability to memorize over time. It enhances the brain’s bioelectrical ability, resulting in enhanced brain energy and better memory and less brain fog. No wonder more and more people are interested in its nootropic characteristics.

Heart Health

Rhodiola Rosea has been proven effective for stress-related cardiac problems.

It decreases the amount of corticosteroids and caechomlamines released by the adrenalin gland when under stress. The unusual presence of these stress hormones is responsible for elevating blood pressure, potassium and cholesterol levels, and increases the risks for heart disease. The herbal extract is also found effective in decreasing harmful blood lipids.

Disease

Rhodiola Rosea tea enhances the body’s resistance to toxins, thus increasing anti-tumor activity. It also contains a variety of antioxidant compounds that are helpful in fighting free radicals. Russian researchers have discovered that oral intake of the herb inhibited tumor development in by 39%, and lowered metastasis by 50%.

Immune System

The herb protects and stimulates the body’s immune system by restoring metabolic balance (homeostasis) in the body. Likewise, it raises the level of the natural killer cells, simply known as NK, in the spleen and stomach. This is because the herb has the ability to normalize hormonal levels by regulating glucocorticoid release into the body.

Depression

In studies done on animals, results tend to show that Rhodiola extracts enhance the delivery of serotonin precursors, 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), and tryptophan to the brain.

Serotonin is a brain neuro-transmitter chemical involved in various functions that include temperature regulation, smooth muscle contraction, appetite, behavior, pain perception, respiration, and blood pressure. When it has a good balance, mental ease and a sense of contentment exist.

On the other hand, too little or too much serotonin can lead to different abnormal mental disorders like clinical depression.

Thus, Rhodiola Rosea tea has been used, whether alone, or along with antidepressants like Zoloft to help boost an individual’s mental state as an all-natural mood stabilizer.

Side Effects of Rhodiola Rosea

Side effects are generally mild and uncommon including nausea, headache, mood swings, diarrhea, anxiety and insomnia (only take in the morning).

Since Rhodiola might stimulate immune system activity, it could potentially worsen the symptoms of autoimmune diseases. Not enough evidence exists to make it a safe recommendation for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Rhodiola might lower blood sugar and blood pressure.