The Herbal Mood BoosternnOnly a small number of clinical trials have evaluated Rhodiola rosea as a treatment for depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. But we have seen so many patients respond remarkably well to the herb that we consider it an important addition to the pharmacopoeia for mood and anxiety disorders.nnUntil we began working with Rhodiola rosea, we were troubled by the fact that many patients taking prescription antidepressants never seemed to get as well as we believed they could. Even if they did improve, all too often they couldn't tolerate the side effects of the drugs. We continue to use medications in our practice because they can help to manage the symptoms of mood disorders so people can reclaim their lives. What bothered us is that while symptoms may subside, they seldom go away completely. Our patients described themselves as not exactly depressed or anxious, but not really happy either.nnThis is where Rhodiola rosea can make a dramatic difference. The herb seems to add spice to life -- feelings of joy, pleasure, and excitement. Many formerly depressed or anxious patients have told us how Rhodiola rosea has enabled them to be happy again, to connect with other people, to feel grounded. The side effects, if any, tend to be extremely mild; in our experience, very few people are unable to tolerate them.nnAlthough more research is necessary, the positive effects of Rhodiola rosea on depression and other mood disorders are not surprising. To begin with, by helping to calm an overactive stress response system and replenish depleted energy reserves, the herb enhances our ability to tolerate stress -- the primary cause of depression and anxiety. And just like conventional antidepressants, Rhodiola rosea boosts the levels of neurotransmitters that play a critical role in regulating mood, energy, and the ability to enjoy life -- only without the negative side effects.nnIn recent studies, scientists have determined that besides acting on neurotransmitters, antidepressants affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis -- an essential component of the stress response system. Rhodiola rosea does the exact same thing. So it stands to scientific reason that the herb and its pharmaceutical counterparts would share many of the same benefits.nnWhat the Research ShowsnnIn the 1970s and 1980s, a few studies of Rhodiola rosea as a treatment for depression were published in the Soviet Union. Although these studies don't meet all the modern criteria for scientifically rigorous research, they do provide valuable clinical observations about the herb's therapeutic value.nnFor example, in a group of 128 adult patients with depression and neurasthenia (a general term for patients with fatigue, weakness, and the inability to recover by resting), treatment with 150 milligrams of Rhodiola rosea three times a day significantly reduced or eliminated symptoms in 64 percent of the study participants. And among a group of patients hospitalized for depression, the addition of Rhodiola rosea to a treatment regimen of tricyclic antidepressants reduced the length of hospital stays -- as well as improved the patients' mood, thought processes, and motor activity. Even better, the herb not only appeared to reduce the troublesome side effects of antidepressants, but it also proved effective in treating less severe forms of depression without other medications.nnSo why have so few studies examined Rhodiola rosea as a treatment for depression and other mood disorders? We don't know for sure, but we suspect that in the former Soviet Union -- where the government controlled all the scientific research -- the priority was to improve physical and mental performance, especially in competitive fields such as science, space exploration, and military development. Mental illness simply wasn't on the radar screen. So despite the very promising results of early studies, scientists didn't pursue this aspect of research until after the collapse of the communist regime.nnSince the 1990s, renewed interest in reducing psychological stress finally has pushed Rhodiola rosea to the forefront of scientific exploration. In all of the studies to date, the herb has significantly lessened mental stress and anxiety while enhancing mood and intellectual performance. For example, in one study of Indian students -- 90 percent of whom experienced difficult adjustment periods and overwhelming fatigue during their first year in Russia -- those taking 50 milligrams of Rhodiola rosea twice a day reported significantly improved mood and motivation compared with those taking a placebo.nn*endnotes have been omittednnReprinted from: The Rhodiola Revolution: Transform Your Health with the Herbal Breakthrough of the 21st Century by Richard P. Brown, M.D., and Patricia L. Gerbarg, M.D. with Barbara Graham © 2004 Richard P. Brown, M.D., and Patricia L. Gerbarg, M.D.( June 2004; $21.95US/$29.95CAN; 1-57954-924-1) Permission granted by Rodale, Inc., Emmaus, PA 18098. Available wherever books are sold or directly from the publisher by calling (800) 848-4735 or visit their website at
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