Siberian herb, Rhodiola rosea, being studied as treatment for fatigue and depression
Science News has an article about a "cure all" Siberian herb called Rhodiola rosea, that has long been used by Soviets, and is currently being looked at by US university medical researchers.
LinkZakir Ramazanov first encountered Rhodiola rosea in 1979 as a Soviet soldier in Afghanistan. A comrade often received boxes full of the yellow-flowered mountain herb from his home in Siberia and would prepare and share a sweet-smelling tea from the root. Ramazanov found that the drink seemed to quicken his hiking and speed his recovery after a taxing mission.
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Much of the old Soviet research on the herb remains locked away in Russian language journals. But over the past decade a growing body of new research published in English tentatively supports the results of early Soviet research. Laboratory and animal studies show that the herb may inhibit cancer cells, protect healthy cells from toxins, and correct enzyme imbalances associated with diabetes. In addition, four trials with human volunteers show that rhodiola extracts can boost mental performance, reduce fatigue, and ease depression.
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Dr. Andrew Weil talked about this herb in his recent book Healthy Aging. It's a very good adaptogen, and I take it every day.
Rhodiola is truly amazing stuff. When I moved from Arizona to Oregon 8 years ago, the winter blues were awful. After some herbal sleuthing, I found Rhodiola and gave the tea a try, and it was like night and day for my mood, energy levels, and mental function.
I added it to the regular line of herbal extracts I make, and many more people have been helped by it; it seems to work in a totally different way than St John's Wort, and better, also, since it also adds tonic and adaptogenic properties. I'm really glad to see it getting some attention, since it was such a gift to my health!
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Cool.
I hope this doesn't go the way of previous cure-all wonder-herbs, though...like coca.
Dr. Linda Page (an herbalist) talks about this herb in her book Healthy Healing, as well. I haven't read Weil's book yet, but one of the things Dr. Page seems to believe strongly is that the effect of this herb is multiplied by using it in combination with other herbs, for some kind of synergistic effect.
I'm really not sure how much credence to give studies like this, but I figure it's probably worth trying out.
A great overview of Rhodiola by Zakir Ramazanov himself, among others, is available here;
http://www.scribd.com/doc/264037/Rhodiola-Rosea
It is known in Norway by the name of "Rosenrot". We take it in tablet form (you can find it in the vitamins &supplements shelf in any supermarket) to get through the winter, along with fish oil it is supposed to alleviate seasonal depression disorder, but it is also advertised as a relief for "mental exhaustion" and loss of your "sexual appetite".