Rhodiola, What Is It + What is it used for?
Rhodiola rosea, perhaps more commonly known as either Aaron’s Rod, Golden Root, or Roseroot, is a perennial plant grown in some of the coldest regions of the world at high altitudes. The plant 
has also been used in traditional Chinese medicine, wherein it is known as hóng j?ng ti?n. The root is generally the part of the plant that is used to extract medical compounds.
What Medical Problems Is It Used For?
The main medical use for Rhodiola rosea is treating the symptoms of depression and improving mood. It also has been shown to help treat fatigue and to improve high altitude sickness. Other uses include treating poor memory or short attention spans. Rhodiola rosea has been used in Russia and other countries for years to treat stress and depression, the levels of which would increase for those during winter months in cold countries.
It is classified as an adaptogen, a type of plant derivative that helps raise resistance to stress, fatigue, trauma and other negative emotional states. It is also said to help people undergo physical stress as well.
Rhodiola rosea is typically given medically by means of a capsule, but there are teas and tinctures that may contain extracts of the plant as well. For adults, the recommended dose is between one hundred and three hundred milligrams per day.
Medical Studies That Back Up Its Claims
There have been many medical studies and trials to determine the effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea’s effect on the body. The results have been mostly positive. Long-term use of the drug has been shown to reduce fatigue in adults (and in animals that have been tested as well). It has also been shown to lower stress and help with the effects of oxygen deprivation. Other studies suggest that Rhodiola rosea can help with sexual function, to enhance the immune system, and to increase mental performance. Some studies also suggest that it has antioxidant properties. Rhodiola rosea has been shown to stimulate dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine activity, similar to the properties of many anti-depressant medications. (link to study here)
In studies with rats, the drug has shown evidence of helping the body prevent stress-induced changes, such as weight gain and physical activity.
Active Ingredients, What Do They Do?
The active ingredients in the drug are the class of rosavins compounds, included in which are rosin, rosavin and rosarin. These rosavins are found exclusively in the Rhodiola rosea plant. It is thought that these compounds, along with salidroside, are what is responsible for the anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects of the drug.
The consensus among professionals seems to be that salidroside and tyrosol are active while other components are inactive when administered alone. However, when all of the compounds are taken together they show positive effects.
Side Effects
Generally speaking, side effects to taking Rhodiola rosea are rare. When they do occur, they are mild to moderate, and include such symptoms as difficulty sleeping, upset stomach, headache, dizziness, and drowsiness.
Is It Safe?
There have been no significant reports of risk when taking the plant-derived drug. However, there is still a chance of over-stimulation as with many other stimulants, such as caffeine or nicotine. This chance of over-stimulation typically only effects people who are already sensitive to it when using other stimulant-type compounds.
There are some medication interactions if you take Rhodiola rosea with drugs such as serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), benzodiazepines, or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). If you are pregnant, nursing or take monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), the drug is definitely not recommended.
The recommended dosage for the drug for adults begins at one hundred to three hundred milligrams per 
day. The drug only reaches lethal toxicity levels – in animals – at two-hundred and thirty-five thousand milligrams. If a person remains in a range of 100 to 600 per day, there should be no problems. With toxicity levels set that high, there is little risk of overdose if users employ common sense. Currently there have not been enough studies to determine the effects of Rhodiola rosea on children, and so it is not recommended for children to take the drug.
Keep in mind that, as a natural remedy, Rhodiola rosea is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and therefore there is no guarantee that any of the products sold featuring the drug are tested or contain the ingredients they claim. It is recommended that potential users consult with their physicians before beginning any treatment with the drug, especially if they are using any of the aforementioned drugs that may cause complications.
With its multitude of potential benefits when treating mood disorders, depression and anxiety, Rhodiola rosea is an ideal natural alternative to traditional medications. Results of studies and trials have been very positive, and with proper medical consultation when needed, the drug is a safe, natural alternative to many treatments.
