Botanical:   Rhodiola rosea
Family:   Crassulacae (orpine)
Other common names:   Roseroot, Roseroot Crenulin, Rhodiola Root, Russian Rhodiola

Suffering from stress? Fight fatigue and help combat depression with Golden Root.   Athletes

like the stamina-building  properties of Golden Root, and this arctic native has been used to fight infection, anemic conditions and heart problems, while helping to enhance mental clarity and

sexual function.  The herb may also be useful for fighting fat!

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Golden Root is native to the arctic regions of eastern Siberia and grows in the mountainous regions of Asia and Europe, at altitudes of eleven- to eighteen-thousand feet above sea level. The herb grows to about two and a half feet in height, and the fragrance of its flowers is similar to attar of roses, which is the reason it was given its botanical specific, rosea, and one of its common names, Roseroot. Golden Root is a perennial plant with red, pink or yellowish flowers and has no biological relation to the "common" rose, but due to its similar fragrance, it has been used as a substitute for attar of roses.

Its use in herbal medicine reaches back for centuries: Dioscorides, the Greek physician, reported on its use in his treatise, De Materia Medica, and The Emperor of China organized expeditions to Siberia to bring back this highly valued plant. Golden Root was used by the Vikings to enhance their physical stamina and strength and has long been used in traditional medicine, primarily in Russia and Scandinavia and by other people of the North, to treat fatigue, poor physical endurance, nervous system disorders and infections, and even to enhance fertility.  Golden Root was included in the first Swedish Pharmacopeia, and in the 1930s, extensive research began in Russia, Scandinavia and Germany to seek the secrets of the "Golden Root" that had been used for centuries as an anti-ageing miracle that helped the people of Siberia cope with the cold climate and stressful life.  In recent history, Golden Root has been widely used by Russian athletes and cosmonauts to increase energy. Some of the constituents in Golden Root include glycosides (rosavin, rosin and rosarin) and monoterpenes (rosiridin and salidroside), as well as flavonoids (rodiolin, rodionin, rodiosin, acetylrodalgin, tricin), triterpenes (daucosterol, beta-sitosterol) and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, hydroxycinnamic and gallic acids).

Beneficial Uses:
Golden Root is an "adaptogen" and is said to stimulate and protect the immune system by reinstating the metabolic balance in the body after stressful situations.  It helps the body adapt and return to normal function and a sense of well-being when exposed to stresses that would alter those functions. Use of Golden Root also promotes faster adaptation to climatic and social changes.

Golden Root is believed to be an aphrodisiac for both men and women, helping to increase sexual potency in men, managing erectile dysfunction and/or premature ejaculations, and also normalizing prostatic fluid.  In traditional medicine the herb was given to married couples to increase fertility.

Studies completed at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute have shown that Golden Root has demonstrated estrogenic activity in animal experiments and may thus be helpful in alleviating many discomforts associated with menopause (hot flashes, depression, etc.).   The research found that Golden Root interacted strongly with estrogen receptors in female rats, indicating that they have an estrogen-like effect in the body. 

Researchers have recommended Golden Root for anyone suffering from temporary depression, stress or anxiety.  Used as an antidepressant, all subjects in clinical tests showed a positive therapeutic effect with its use.  It is thought to work by making serotonin's precursors (tryptophan and 5-HTP) more available to the brain and by optimizing the amount of serotonin, dopamine and other neurotransmitter levels in the brain.

Athletes use Golden Root to improve physical performance and maintain energy and endurance levels in various sports. It is said to be particularly valuable for body builders, because it is thought to stimulate muscle energy status, glycogen synthesis in muscles and liver, muscle protein synthesis and anabolic activity. Glycogen is form in which body fuel is stored (primarily in the liver) and broken down into glucose when needed by the body. The herb is believed to increase strength and mobility and also to shorten recovery after strenuous and prolonged exercise and workouts.

Golden Root is considered a heart healthy herb that may protect against heart ailments.  It appears to decrease the amount of adrenalin and cortisol released during stress and defends the heart against "adrenalin burn."  It is believed to lower serum fats and cholesterol, while increasing the resistance of blood vessels to cholesterol plaques, thus helping to increase blood circulation and reducing the risk of arteriosclerosis, strokes and heart attacks.  In clinical tests, Golden Root was shown to reduce and/or prevent stress-induced cardiac damage, decrease myocardial catecholamines and cyclic adenosine monophosphate levels and activated receptors in the heart muscle, preventing arrhythmias.

With regard to thyroid function, Golden Root was shown in clinical tests to enhance thyroid function without causing hyperthyroidism.

Golden Root has been recommended for those who may require more mental clarity or anyone who has memory problems.  Because the herb is believed to improve blood circulation, this activity apparently increases the blood supply to the brain, enhancing both cognitive function and attention span.  It is also thought to increase bioelectrical activity in the brain, which also may improve memory and brain energy.

Golden Root may be helpful in promoting weight loss by stimulating the "lipolytic processes."  It seems to have the ability to mobilize fromadipose tissue and activate adipose lipase, a key enzyme required to burn the body's fat stores. This process helps to stimulate the natural fat burning system in your body needed for weight reduction.

Golden Root combats the effects of asthenia, an emotional stress condition that is characterized by sluggishness, low motivation, muscle weakness, continual  fatigue, labored breathing, palpitations and excessive sleeping. In clinical tests, use of Golden Root reversed this condition.

It is thought that Golden Root may possess potent antioxidant properties.  Russian researchers have found that in laboratory tests, it inhibited the growth of, and improved immunity to, various types of serious invasive illness.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Golden Root, but because there is limited clinical information, it would be wise for pregnant and nursing women to consult their physicians before using.   Women who have a family or personal history of cancers that are linked to higher levels of estrogen, including breast and uterine cancer, should consult a physician before using Golden Root.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison)

• Golden Root (sold as Rhodiola Root) -Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each