Ohh everyone, I was just hit by this thought like a lightning bolt. I have done many many hours or research on the plant group called "adaptogens". Adaptogens contain such herbs and plants like gensing and ginkgo biloba to name the most known couple. A plant MUST have these next three properties to be considered an adaptogen : (1) An adaptogen is nontoxic to the recipient. (2) An adaptogen produces a nonspecific response in the body—an increase in the power of resistance against multiple stressors including physical, chemical, or biological agents. (3) An adaptogen has a normalizing influence on physiology, irrespective of the direction of change from physiological norms caused by the stressor.
Of all the different plants contained within the adaptogen group one sticks out head and shoulders above the rest. The plant is called Rhodiola Rosea, or "Golden Root". Rhodiola has been tested and experimented with for over 30 years in the former Soviet Union's science branch and among private sources. It was originally found for its uses in alleviating altitude sickness in the Russian soldiers and also for cold weather resistance. Since its modern discovery it has been snowballing as to what it can help. It is, basically, a supplement that will help you body return to homeostasis (or the normal) and give resistance to that being changed for the worse. That means if you are depressed from an imbalance of chemicals, this will bring all you body systems back towards where they SHOULD be. It also acts as a mild stimulant, but only because your body is suddenly running the way it should, not forced in any way. It has been shown to have anti-cancer properties, works as an antidepressant for over 75% of test subjects(double blind placebos were done), regulates metabolism and therefore your level of energy, it gives a general feeling of well being, and it can also help during periods of withdrawl because of its normalizing effects. Now, by no means take my word for it. The best thing you could do in order to show yourself is to look it up. I have read on forums hundreds and hundreds of posts, some from the taker of the Rhodiola and some from parents who got it for their children. The posts range from the fact that nothing else helped them feel as good (depression) or have more energy(fatigue reduction). Parents would post that their child has ADD or AD/HD and had tried every drug available, and were left with no answers. Finally someone had referred them to Rhodiola and it did wonders, helped with concentration, helped with energy, helped them to fell well and happy. It acts as an immense immune booster, it helps memory, it promotes neurological activity and the optimization of serotinin and dopamine levels....all with the "side effects" of feeling good.
All I could say beyond that (to keep this from being a huge post) is to look it up and make your own decision. I have done a great deal of research myself, and scientists have been doing solid scientific research in other countries for at least 40 years now. There is immense potential in the plant, but for the most part it is kept from the main stream because it would be able to replace so many of their revenue drawing pharmaceuticals. I base this not only from research, but from personal experience. I took Rhodiola for 2 months, and I can tell you, as well as all my friends that I shared it with, that you most definitely feel better, have more endurance, and feel more focused. Sadly though, I am very broke at the moment (hernia surgury, chiro and doc bills+no insurance) and not able to get another bottle of it (though I will soon), even though it is so cheap. You can get a bottle that lasts about
a month or more for around 20 dollars. There are active ingredients in the Rhodiola Rosea, these ingredients must be of a certain standardized level, if you dont know the levels then you might not be getting effectivce Rhodiola (the standardized product is grown in Russia). After looking up different brands, calling their manufacturers, and delving as deeply into it as I can, I have found a decently priced and definitely standardized source. It is called "Rosavin" and "Rosavin Plus", somewhere in the region of 20ish bucks. I'm sure a google would find you a place to get them, but trust me, I am not part of the company hehe, and I am not spending all this time typing this post because its entertaining. I dearly hope that this can help any of you who would look it up and know yourselves(don't take my word for it). It can help with depression, fatigue, and for relief of many symptoms associated with chronic conditions (such as lymes, fibro, obviously depression, and more). To cut this short (because I could type pages on it) I'll just say that I hope the best for you all, that Jesus Christ may lead you to what it is that will help you, and that my prayers are with you all.
Christian
Post Edited (-Misunderstood-) : 6/3/2010 4:58:00 AM (GMT-6)