Used for mental clarity, energy, and mood, rhodiola is a prized herbal remedy. Our latest blog post explains the benefits of rhodiola in more detail.
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Rhodiola has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for stress, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. An adaptogen, it helps our bodies cope with both the physical and mental side effects of stress, giving us the resilience that we need to meet the challenges of our busy lives.
The herb itself is a low growing perennial that is found in cold, mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. There are various different species of rhodiola, but the one that is used in herbal medicine is Rhodiola rosea, which is also known as golden root or rose root.
In Scandinavia and Siberia, rhodiola is traditionally used to boost physical endurance and treat fatigue. It is also said to be a good remedy for altitude sickness, as well as a general tonic for the mind and body – boosting the immune system and easing the symptoms of depression.
Rhodiola has similar uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is said to raise Qi (life force), improve stamina, and boost energy levels. It is also used to support the immune system and aid focus and mental clarity.
Herbalists throughout both the Eastern and Western world continue to prize rhodiola today as an adaptogen and a powerful herbal ally for both mind and body.
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of rhodiola in more detail.
1. Fights Fatigue
One of the best-known uses of rhodiola is to boost our energy levels and reduce fatigue. It’s a popular alternative to coffee and black tea for those looking to cut down their caffeine intake.
Studies show that rhodiola is effective in treating tiredness and fatigue, even in people with symptoms of chronic fatigue.
2. Alleviates Stress
As an adaptogen, rhodiola has a similar effect in our bodies to herbs like ginseng and ashwagandha. It supports our systems in coping with both the physical and mental side effects of stress, boosting our resilience and our ability to deal with the challenges that life sends our way.
Taking rhodiola may even help us to avoid burnout. The effects are fast too – many studies show signs of improvement after just one week of taking rhodiola regularly.
3. Boosts Your Mood
Stress and mental health issues like depression and anxiety are often linked, so it is no surprise that rhodiola can also help to boost your mood and support your mental health.
For those struggling with mild depression, rhodiola shows promise as an alternative to over-the-counter antidepressants. It is also less likely to cause side effects.
4. Aids Focus and Concentration
Another traditional use for rhodiola is in keeping our minds sharp and boosting cognitive function. This is partly down to its ability to reduce stress and fatigue, which can both lower our focus and make it hard for us to think clearly.
Research suggests that rhodiola can improve our memory and increase our learning function. It contains antioxidants that may help to protect our brains against inflammation and damage.
5. Increases Physical Endurance
We’ve already looked at the benefits of rhodiola for reducing mental fatigue, stress, and burnout. The good news is that this herb also supports our physical endurance.
Taking rhodiola can reduce perceived exertion – how hard we feel like we’re having to work during exercise. It also increases endurance and can therefore improve exercise performance.
How to Take Rhodiola
As a rule, people aim to take rhodiola in the morning or afternoon, instead of right before bed. This is because it has a mildly stimulating effect, which may mean you get a boost of energy. Useful first thing in the morning, but less so when you’re trying to drop off to sleep.
There’s some evidence to suggest that rhodiola is most effective when taken on an empty stomach, so you may also want to drink your herbal tea about half-an-hour before a meal to get the best effects.
Like many herbal remedies, rhodiola is available in several forms, including capsules, powders, and tinctures.
Rhodiola can also be used as an ingredient in herbal tea blends – our preferred way to take this energy-boosting herb!
Not only is herbal tea a delicious way to get more herbs into your daily routine, but it also makes it easy to combine several herbs into one mouth-watering brew.
For example, we use rhodiola as one of the ingredients in our NutraBoost blend.
Packed with adaptogens, this blend is designed to raise your energy levels and mental alertness without making you feel stressed or jittery.
As well as rhodiola, NutraBoost contains ashwagandha, ginseng, and green tea – all great options for making you feel mentally and physically energised.
