Rhodiola is among the plant derivatives called adaptogens, a term referring to natural herb products purported to increase the body's resistance to stress, anxiety and fatigue. Research has shown that extracts of Rhodiola rosea may be effective for mood alteration and improving depression. Consult with a mental health care professional before using herbal remedies to treat mood disorders.
Rhodiola rosea
Rhodiola rosea, also known as golden root, is a plant in the Crassulaceae family that grows in cold mountainous regions of the world. The plant has several shoots growing from a thick root, which is ground to a powder and used as an herbal supplement. The effects of Rhodiola rosea are reportedly mediated by changes in serotonin and dopamine levels and influences on opioid receptors in the brain. However, the explicit neurochemical mechanisms have not been clearly documented through scientific studies. Nonetheless, there have been extensive case studies undertaken and Rhodiola rosea has been accepted as an alternative treatment for psychiatric disorders.
Anxiety
Anxiety is a characterized by emotional, cognitive, and behavioral factors in either the absence or presence of psychological stress. Typically, anxiety creates feelings of panic, concern, nervousness and trepidation, but is considered to be a normal reaction to stress. In excess, these feelings may fall under the classification of an anxiety disorder, where the intensity and duration of symptoms determines whether it is considered an abnormal reaction. Physical effects of anxiety may include heart palpitations, exhaustion, queasiness, chest pain, shortness of breath, indigestion, and headache. During anxious episodes, blood pressure and heart rate increase, with immune and digestive system functions repressed. External signs of anxiety may include paling skin, sweating, vacillating, and dilation of the pupils.
Review Article on Rhodiola and anxiety
In a review article in the June 2010 issue of "Phytomedicine," researchers summarized information on the composition, pharmacological activity and medical use of Rhodiola rosea. They found that approximately 140 compounds have been isolated from the roots and rhizome of the plant and studies have revealed that preparations of these compounds exhibit beneficial neuroprotective, antifatigue, and antidepressive effects. The review included a number of clinical trials that demonstrated that administration of R. rosea extract increases mental ability and reduces anxiety in patients with mood disorders. The authors noted that encouraging results exist for the use of Rhodiola in mild to moderate depression and generalized anxiety. Several mechanisms contributing to these clinical findings have been attributed to Rhodiola extracts, including interactions with cortisol-reducing proteins and production of both nitric oxide and defense mechanism proteins. The authors concluded that these compounds are potentially attractive as a safe medication, with no adverse reactions found with other drugs.
Studies of Rhodiola for Treatment of Anxiety
The November 2009 issue of the "Journal of Psychopharmacology" included a study to investigate the effects of a Rhodiola rosea extract on the reduction of anxiety following nicotine cessation in mice. Mice received subcutaneous injections of nicotine for eight days to induce acute dependence. The test animals were evaluated after the last nicotine administration by analysis of anxiety-like behavior due to withdrawal. Rhodiola rosea extract was administered orally during the nicotine treatment or during nicotine withdrawal. Results show that behaviors such as head shaking, paw tremors, body tremors, jumping, and chewing induced by nicotine withdrawal were eliminated by administration of the extract during both nicotine treatment and cessation.
A clinical study published in the March 2008 issue of the "Journal of Complementary Medicine" evaluated whether Rhodiola extract is effective in reducing symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, GAD. The study included 10 patients diagnosed with GAD who were administered Rhodiola for 10 weeks and assessed by the Four-Dimensional Anxiety and Depression Scale. The researchers found that individuals treated with the extract showed significant deceases in the scores at the end of the study, with anxiety events being generally mild to moderate. The study concluded that symptom improvement mirrored those found in clinical trials using established pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of GAD.
References
- "Phytomedicine"; Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy; a Panossian et al.; June 2010.
- "Journal of Psychopharmacology"; Evaluation of Rhodiola rosea L. extract on affective and physical signs of nicotine withdrawal in mice; L Mattioloi et al.; november 2009.
- "Journal of Complementary Medicine"; A pilot study of Rhodiola rosea (Rhodax) for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); March 2008.
