What is Enhanced Rhodiola Complex?

The adaptogenic herbs Ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng, Schisandra, Liquorice and Rhodiola have a long history of traditional use for restoring energy, mood, vitality and building resistance to chronic stress. Indeed, several clinical studies have shown they can improve a wide range of stress related symptoms including chronic fatigue, anxiety, depression, poor concentration and physical and emotional burnout as well as enhance performance under stress.

What does Enhanced Rhodiola complex do?

What does Ashwagandha do?

Native to India and used as part of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, is also known as winter cherry or Indian ginseng. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a rasayana (rejuvenating) and is used to promote physical and mental health, rejuvenate the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity .

• Stress

A double-blind, placebo control trial investigated the benefits of supplementing with Ashwagandha root extract in reducing stress and anxiety and improving overall wellbeing in adults. Results showed a reduction in stress questionnaire results compared to placebo and a significant reduction in cortisol levels. Another study found that supplementing with 125mg of a high quality Ashwagandha extract once to twice daily for 60-days significantly reduced symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Ashwagandha reduces symptoms of stress.

Ashwagandha also significantly decreased the stress hormone cortisol , the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein and the cardiovascular health markers pulse rate and blood pressure. In addition, there was a significant increase in dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and haemoglobin, indicating a healthier stress response and improved red blood cell formation and energy, respectively.

Ashwagandha (125 mg of extract once-daily or twice-daily) reduces cortisol.

Anxiety
In a clinical study Ashwagandha was used as part of an integrative treatment plan for anxiety sufferers along with treatments such as dietary changes and deep breathing exercises. The results of this study found that – alongside diet and lifestyle changes - Ashwagandha was able to help significantly relieve anxiety symptoms.
Stress-related male infertility
Stress has been shown to reduce sperm quality and fertility in men, so a clinical study examined the effects of Ashwagandha to reduce stress and improve male infertility. After 3-months of treatment with Ashwagandha there was a decrease in stress, improved level of antioxidants and improved overall semen quality in a significant number of individuals. The treatment resulted in pregnancy in the partners of 14% of the patients.
Heart health
The benefits of ashwagandha also cover cardiovascular health. Studies have found when supplementing with ashwagandha short term and long term with up to 3 grams daily, benefits were seen including a reduction in blood glucose, which was comparable to that of an oral hypoglycemic drug, a significant decrease in serum cholesterol and triglycerides and an increase in urine volume indicating diuretic properties. Another study also found an improvement in haemoglobin and red blood cell count as well as cholesterol levels.

What does Siberian Ginseng do?
Has a long history of traditional use in Chinese medicine and is well known to have adaptogenic effects.8 Siberian ginseng has been famously used by Russian astronauts and athletes to improve performance under extreme physical and mental demands.

Stress
In a group of 18-30-year-old students Siberian ginseng was shown to improve stress adaptation by reducing cardiovascular reactivity to stress (resulting in a 40% reduction in heart rate response). The same study also found that Siberian ginseng reduced stress-induced blood pressure elevation by 60% in women, but not in men.
Chronic fatigue
A clinical study of Siberian ginseng in people with chronic fatigue syndrome found a modest benefit in participants with less-severe fatigue. In this study a dose of approximately 2000 to 4000 mg equivalent dry root per day was given over a period of 2- months.

General wellbeing
To see if Siberian ginseng could improve general health and wellbeing a group of elderly individuals (average age 65 years) were given Siberian ginseng over a period of 8-weeks. After 4 weeks, higher scores in social functioning scales were observed in patients using Siberian ginseng, however these differences did not persist to the 8-week time point.
Physical performance
Supplementation with Siberian ginseng for a period of 8-weeks was shown to improve endurance capacity, elevated cardiovascular functions and changes in metabolism to spare glycogen in trained athletes.
Depression
Siberian ginseng has been shown to have comparable effects to medication for depressive symptoms. In subjects with bipolar disorder Siberian ginseng supplementation for 6-weeks was slightly more effective than anti-depressant medication (fluoxetine) and had a better safety profile with fewer adverse events. And in another study of people suffering from moderate depression Siberian ginseng was as effective as the anti-depressant medication imipramine.

What does Schisandra Berry do?
Native to the forests of Northern China and Russia and is frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine to restore energy and vitality or “Qi.” It is sometimes called the ‘five flavour berry’ as the berries contain all five flavours referred to in Chinese medicine, and is therefore considered a tonic.

Stress
Many early clinical studies conducted in Russia explored the adaptogenic effects of Schisandra in a very wide range of illness. These clinical trials reported positive effects of supplementation in conditions such as physical fatigue, depression, mental fatigue, schizophrenia, alcoholism, cardiovascular illness, digestive illness and increased risk of infections.
Energy and mood
In a clinical study of people suffering from weakness and depression the administration of Schisandra berry for 40 days resulted in stimulation of the central nervous system in every participant. End point results showed improved energy levels and physical activity, reduction in fatigue, improved mood and normalisation of sleep in participants with depression and weakness.

What does Rhodiola do?
also known as arctic root or golden root is indigenous to the polar arctic regions of eastern Siberia and has enjoyed a long and traditional use in Russia, China and Scandinavia. Rhodiola is now a very popular herb for improving adaptation to stress worldwide.

Stress
Rhodiola enhances mental and physical performance under stress. In physicians performing night duty, supplementation with Rhodiola over 2-weeks improved measures of cognitive performance and reduced general fatigue.17 In students undergoing an examination period, Rhodiola use over 20-days improved mental performance, physical fitness, general well-being and reduced mental fatigue.
Fatigue
Several clinical studies have shown that supplementation with Rhodiola can relieve fatigue and improve energy. For example, in people suffering from severe stress related fatigue and burnout, Rhodiola supplementation for 28-days was found to improve mood, fatigue and nervous system function. It was concluded that Rhodiola “exerts an anti- fatigue effect that increases mental performance, particularly the ability to concentrate, and decreases cortisol response to awakening stress in burnout patients with fatigue syndrome.”

Anxiety and depression
In people with generalized anxiety disorder Rhodiola reduced anxiety levels with comparable effects to anti-anxiety medications within 10-weeks.21 And in people with mild to moderate depression Rhodiola significantly reduced depressive symptoms over a 6-week period.
Physical performance
Rhodiola has long been used for its ability to enhance performance and some, but not all, studies have suggested Rhodiola can improve physical fitness. For example, a study looking into Rhodiola found that supplementation for 4-weeks was able to improve endurance exercise ability.

What does Licorice do?
Native to southern Europe and Asia and has been used as a food in medicine since prehistoric times. As well as its use as flavouring in confectionary, Licorice is still popularly used as a medicine.

Adrenal fatigue
Licorice is traditionally viewed as an adrenal tonic, indeed research has shown it has a “cortisol sparing” effect due to its ability to reduce and slow down cortisol breakdown. This occurs by the ability of and active component of Licorice, glycyrrhizin, to inhibit the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase enzyme, which metabolises cortisol. This may be useful in those experiencing chronic stress and unable to maintain a healthy stress response. In Addison’s disease – a condition characterised by adrenal insufficiency and low cortisol levels – Licorice has been shown to increase cortisol availability.
Chronic fatigue
A popular use of Licorice is to combine it with other adaptogenic herbs for the relief of chronic fatigue syndrome. There is one published case report of a patient suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome who experienced improved physical and mental stamina when supplementing with Licorice.

Take one to two capsules daily with food. For children 7-12 years, one capsule daily. Not recommended under 7-years unless advised by a health care professional.

Potential applications for Enhanced Rhodiola Complex.

Adrenal fatigue, burnout, stress, anxiety, weakness, fatigue, tiredness, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

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