Adaptogens

Understanding the many different ways rhodiola rosea works and why this adaptogen transcends the nebulous hype of most natural herbal remedies can be a bit challenging. Over the years I’ve received thousands of different questions through this website, and most of them tend to center around a few of the same themes.

From understanding why one would want to take rhodiola rosea to understanding how to cope with potential side effects, the questions I’ve received have had a distinct and reoccurring theme. So to help people find quick answers to their most pressing questions I have gathered these questions and answers together into a single, succinct FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). I hope this helps you quickly grasp the benefits of rhodiola and the most pertinent facts about what it is, where it comes from and how it should be used. Read on to read the most common rhodiola questions and their answers.

Many of the most promising rhodiola benefits come from its anti-stress, adaptogenic and neuroendocine effects. Rhodiola rosea was one of the only herbal remedies to qualify as a real adaptogen when Soviet pharmacologists outlined and specified the most accepted criteria for defining adaptogens in 1968. The nonspecific resistance enhanced by taking this supplement was established in early animal studies and has been corroborated in recent human clinical case studies.

The promise of low side effects along with a broad range of tangible benefits stirs an enthusiasm and hope for the possibilities of supplementing one’s diet with this adaptogen. The following summary and review of the seminal studies illustrating Rhodiola rosea’s promise focuses on the neurological mechanisms and stress response system influenced or perhaps enhanced by taking this extract. It also illustrates how R. rosea may also help protect both the brain and the heart. Read on to learn more.

Ashwagandha, sometimes referred to as Indian ginseng, is a natural herbal remedy with a long history of use, and a strong following. Many people are skeptical of the limited conventional science on this adaptogen, and believe ashwagandha’s very long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine corroborates its genuine potency and efficacy. In the context of rhodiola rosea, ashwagandha may have a larger and more ardent following, but ironically, it features far less modern, scientific evidence to support its efficacy.

While ashwagandha side effects are mild and few, it is important to understand them before taking this herbal remedy. Read more to learn about the specific uses and side effects of ashwagandha.