Reducing Your Stress With a Herb Called Rhodiola Rosea
11/18/2009 - Wellness and Diet
Traditionally it comes from Siberia way up above sea level, used for centuries throughout Asia and China. Historically it was highly prized and valued as a versatile herbal tonic to increase strength and stamina, as opposed to treating a particular disease. In Russia there was a saying - people who drink rhodiola tea will live to a 100. The herb is also known as golden root or arctic root.
During World War II the Russians developed extracts that they would give to the soldiers to enhance their abilities. Research showed that it would help boost the body’s resistance enabling them to cope with physical and environmental stress, presumably the bitter cold and hunger.
This herb is officially known as an ‘adaptogenic herb’, meaning it arms the body with the ability to cope with stress, improve performance and encourage disease resistance. It helps the body maintain normal modus operandi even under stress.
We all know stress can have a negative effect on our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections like cold and flu. However, rhodiola helps to strengthen the immune system making you less susceptible.
This herb can protect the organs like the heart from damage by reducing the amount of corticosteroids, a stress hormone released by the adrenal glands during stressful times. It is thought that rhodiola’s ability to support the adrenal glands also has a positive effect on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar levels. It is well known that exercise is good for you but it is a form of stress to the body, here again rhodiola has proven invaluable to athletes helping to increase their stamina and speed up recovery time after training. Russian scientists have done a lot of research in this area, using rhodiola some years ago now to give the Russian athletes an edge.
People were given rhodiola to see how it would affect fatigue and memory loss. Most people noticed an improvement in their symptoms and found productivity at work had improved after taking this herb for about 2 weeks. Rhodiola seems to protect the brain and its important mood enhancing chemicals like serotonin and dopamine. Serotonin is important for sleep, stable moods, appetite, memory and lower levels have been linked to depression. It would seem rhodiola contains plant compounds that enhance the production of serotonin and at the same time preserve serotonin levels due to its ability to block the action of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin.
It is possible to take this herb in capsule or tablet form I take the dried root in a tea. It is a good herb to take long term as a tonic, always follow the dosage recommended on the packaging.
If you are going through a particularly stressful time, there are a few other simple things you could be doing. Be kind to your adrenal glands by cutting right down on your caffeine and sugar consumption, both are stressful to the body and overwork the adrenal glands.
The body uses up a lot of vitamin C during stressful times, vitamin C also helps the adrenal glands to cope better so increase your intake of vitamin C capsules and increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Take regular walks get some fresh air, UVs and listen to some relaxing music.
