Medicinal Herbs and ADHD

LATEST PODCAST EPISODE — LISTEN NOW

Scientific Name: Rhodiola rosea

Constituents:

  • Phenylpropanoids: rosavins: rosavin, rosin & rosarin
  • Phenylethanol derivatives: salidroside (aka. rhodioloside), rhodiolin & rosiridin)
  • Flavonoids (p-tyrosol, catechins & proanthocyanidins)
  • Phenolic acids & Tannins (gallic acid, caffeic acid & chlorogenic acid)
  • Volatile Oil (geraniol)

Medicinal actions:

  • Adaptogen
  • Antioxidant
  • Aphrodisiac
  • Cardiotonic
  • Hepatoprotective
  • Immuno-stimulant
  • Nervine Tonic (Cognitive enhancer)

Mechanism of Action & Pharmacology:

  • Salidroside (aka. rhodioloside), Rosavins & and flavonoids are potent antioxidants that exert neuroprotective effects and are able to reduce neuronal death and behavioral dysfunction via oxidative stress pathways.
  • Salidroside protects endothelium against H2O2-induced injury via promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and function, thus preventing the over activation of oxidative stress-related signaling pathways, enhancing superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum, heart, liver and brain tissues in vivo.
  • Adaptogenic properties & cardioprotective effects have been attributed to its ability to prevent the depletion of adrenal catecholamines induced by acute stress and effecting the release and activity of monoamines such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the cerebral cortex, brain stem, hypothalamus, possibly due to inhibition of the activity of enzymes responsible for monoamine degradation and facilitation of neurotransmitter transport within the brain. Extract also demonstrated a protective effect against neurotoxicity induced by beta-amyloid proteins in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.
  • Cardiotonic effects may be due to cyclic AMP elevation in the myocardium. Antiarrhythmic effect has also demonstrated in vivo, may be partially due to an increase in the level of endogenous opioid peptides as can induce opioid peptide biosynthesis through the activation of both central and peripheral opioid receptors. Extract was shown to increase leu-enkephalin (endogenous opioid peptide) concentration in blood plasma, suprarenal glands and myocardium of rats exposed to stress.

Pharmacy:

  • Decoction
  • Tincture
  • Capsules
  • Note: Best to begin with low doses and increase gradually; may have paradoxical effects in some patients (e.g low doses are stimulating and high doses more sedating)

Safety & Toxicity Concerns:

  • May cause agitation, especially in those prone to anxiety.
  • Avoid with excited states and use with caution in bipolar conditions, especially with those with a tendency towards mania.
  • Avoid concurrent use with stimulants (e.g. caffeine).

Interactions:

  • Theoretical interaction with cardiac medications and antidepressants.

Scientifically driven. Education focused. Healing Inspired.

Subscribe to Insights

Receive clinically driven nutrition insights you can trust.

Animated Newsletter WM

Join Our Community to Read Further

This is a premium article created for our Healthcare Practitioner readers. Create a free account to continue reading and gain full access.

Dismiss

signup-logo

WholisticMatters offers health care practitioners and nutrition enthusiasts alike the opportunity to create a free profile for access to site features like bookmarking. Enjoying an article you are reading or a video you are watching? Save it to come back to later! Sign up in seconds for continuous access to all that WholisticMatters has to offer.

WholisticMatters also offers health care practitioners who create a free user profile access to exclusive content and tools to utilize in clinical practice. Articles, tools, and downloads created specifically for practitioners to use in their office for better patient education in clinical nutrition and health. Sign up today with your email and credentials so we can confirm you as a health care practitioner, and you are free to peruse the resources unique to you and your colleagues in health.

close
mobile-signup

Create Your Account:

show-pass Please use 8 or more characters with a mix of letters, numbers & symbols
signup-logo
close

Create a free account to use our great bookmarking tool

Once your account is created, you'll be able to save and organize what matters to you!

Already have an Account? Login Here


Click 'Sign Up' above to accept Wholistic Matters's Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
close

Are you a Healthcare Professional? Sign Up For Free Access!

We'll verify your credentials and get you access to our great interactive tools.

Already have an Account? Login Here


Click 'Sign Up' above to accept Wholistic Matters's Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.