Rhodiola, an adaptogenic herb used in nutritional and herbal supplements, has mild and rare side effects such as irritability, heart palpitations, and headaches. It is believed to help the body resist stress and improve mental function. Rhodiola’s effectiveness in treating specific symptoms and conditions is inconclusive, and excessive consumption may cause side effects.
Side effects of using an herb like rhodiola for daily health benefits are rare and usually mild. Rhodiola side effects can include irritability, heart palpitations, gastrointestinal upset, headaches, and insomnia. Rhodiola, also known as Rhodiola rosea, golden root, or arctic root, is an herb commonly used in nutritional and herbal supplements. Rhodiola is considered by herbalists to be an adaptogen, meaning it can help the body resist various sources of stress. The efficacy of rhodiola in treating various medical conditions is inconclusive, although several studies have been and are being conducted on the plant.
The Rhodiola rosea plant seems to grow best in cooler climates and at high altitudes. It has been found in Greenland, as well as parts of France, Canada, and the United States. The plant normally grows wild and has only been cultivated in Finland, although Canadian farmers have attempted to cultivate rhodiola to take advantage of its increasing commercial demand. In the areas where it grows, its leaves and stems, when young, can be eaten raw and cooked. Commercial rhodiola preparations are generally in capsule or extract form. Rhodiola is also often found in adaptogenic herbal blends, such as ginseng and astragalus.
Both Russian and Scandinavian traditional medicine practitioners have used rhodiola rosea as an all-around tonic, to combat tiredness, and to improve mental function and memory. In recent years, there have been claims that rhodiola can increase athletic and sexual performance and treat depression. There is also some evidence to suggest that rhodiola rosea is an antioxidant, which may help support the immune system and protect against oxygen deprivation. Rhodiola rosea’s popularity appears to be fueled, in part, by rhodiola’s lack of serious side effects.
Because much of the research on rhodiola is not in English, it is difficult to fully measure the effectiveness of rhodiola in treating specific symptoms and conditions, as well as rhodiola side effects. At this time, studies have generally not identified any specific or common side effects of rhodiola rosea. Some researchers suggest that the reported side effects of rhodiola may be due to excessive consumption. There is also the possibility of rhodiola interacting with other drugs. For example, there have been some reports of people experiencing drowsiness after taking prescription antidepressants in combination with rhodiola. Lowering the dose of rhodiola can minimize or eliminate these symptoms. There is always the risk of an allergic reaction, which could cause a user to experience negative side effects.
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