Tibetan Rhodiola benefits

How Tibetan Rhodiola benefits were found?

Asian and eastern European countries include Rhodiola species in their folk medicine. [1]Rhodiola Rosea or Russian Rhodiola belongs to Rhodiola genera is more popular commercially due to its easy availability. This species grows at a lower altitude and can be cultivated easily for commercial purposes. However, Tibetan Rhodiola is a rare herb usually found in the Himalayan region. In Asia, this herb is known as “Plateau Ginseng. The root of this herb is widely used for medicinal purposes. The botanical name of this herb is Rhodiola crenulata or Rhodiola sacra, which is found in the Himalayan snowline. Tibetan Rhodiola requires extreme climate to grow and therefore it cannot be cultivated. Tibetan Rhodiola has potent adaptogen properties. But its use is restricted only in some of the Asian countries due to its rarity. In Tibetan culture, this herb plays a major role due to its adaptogen properties.

The high-altitude in Tibet responsible for the high-altitude illness. Rhodiola crenulata has phytoadaptogens, which act against environmental challenges in Tibet and also prevent high-altitude illness. [2] At the beginning of Tibetan civilization, this herb was used as a potent adaptogenic tonic. Buddhist monks in Tibet have used this herb to enhance physical endurance, spiritual power, and mental concentration. Some are considered that Tibetan Rhodiola is a more powerful herb than Ginseng in some particular aspects. This herb is beneficial for individuals who are facing physical and mental exhaustion. This herb acts as a memory booster, energizer. This herbal remedy is suitable for individuals who are concern about their fitness and also for those who are working for a long period on the computer. This herb also acts as a mood enhancer and helps in an optimistic thought process. Tibetan Rhodiola also exerts benefits in the cardiovascular system. It also acts as an immunomodulator to fight against diseases. A combination with some herbs gives additive or synergistic effects. The therapeutic benefit of Tibetan Rhodiola depends upon the combination formulation. [3]

Chinese traditional medicine, Rhodiola crenulatais widely used. Almost 200 years ago, the first Chinese herbal classic had reviewed its benefits. This review report mentioned Tibetan Rhodiola as a superior herb because of its life-prolonging effect and wisdom enhancing property. [3]Rhodiola crenulatais listed separately with the standardized common name of “Rhodiola crenulata” and the Chinese pinyin name da Hua hong jing tian. In the Pharmacopoeia of the Peoples’ Republic of China (2010 Edition -Part I), the officially accepted species is Rhodiola crenulata and the medicinally used part is the dried root and rhizome. [2]

What are the phytochemicals present in Tibetan Rhodiola?

Almost 21 different phytochemicals have identified in the phytochemical identification test of Tibetan Rhodiola root. Salidroside, which is also known as the Rhodiola side is one of the primary bioactive phytochemicals present in this species. Other significant phytochemicals which have bioactivity are rosavins and p-tyrosol present in this Rhodiola species.[4]

What is the Mode of action of Tibetan Rhodiola Health Benefits?

Salidroside, the chief phytochemical present in Tibetan Rhodiola extract can scavenge the free radicals and provide the neuroprotective effect. This herbal ingredient can suppress reactive oxygen species induced cellular changes which leads to neuronal stem cell death. Salidroside enhances cell proliferation and neural differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells by excreting reactive oxygen species. The potent antioxidant property of Salidroside scavenges superoxide radicals and the potency depends upon the dose and time. Salidroside also has protective effects against hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in neuroblastoma cells. [4]
It has expected that Tibetan Rhodiola can be an alternative treatment option to prevent and treat Alzheimer’s disease. An animal research result has reported pre-treatment with Tibetan Rhodiola extract can increase BrdU and Tuj1 immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus and induces neurogenesis. Oxidative stress reduction is concomitantly observed in brain tissue along with neurogenesis. Both of these mechanisms are effective to improve Alzheimer’s disease affected patients’ conditions. Both salidroside, p-tyrosol present in Tibetan Rhodiola root are effective to provide the neuroprotective effect.
Tyrosol is one of the primary phytochemicals present in white wine and olive oil. Different research result already established this phytochemical has a variety of cellular activities, such as antioxidant activity, neural protective functions, and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore the combination of salidroside and tyrosol present in Tibetan Rhodiola root extract exerts neuroprotective effects through their antioxidant activity on neural stem cells. However, other phytochemicals present in this herb has a similar benefit or not is yet now uncertain as every phytochemical therapeutic benefit cannot be checked. Therefore, it is always better to intake the whole herbal dosage form rather than any specific phytochemical. [4]
The hypoxic condition is prevented by Tibetan Rhodiola root extract. Both salidroside and tyrosol act on the alveolar epithelial and lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. These herbal constituents prevent α1-Na, K-ATPase endocytosis in lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells during hypoxia. The underlying mechanisms of Tibetan Rhodiola root extract and its bioactive components counteract the reactive oxygen species induce AMPK-PKCζ pathway. [1]

What are the different forms of Tibetan Rhodiola?

Mainly folk medicinal dosage forms like Tibetan Rhodiola root extract or powder are available in traditional medicinal practice. An animal research study reported that 0.1 mL of Tibetan Rhodiola extract is effective to boost learning and memory ability. This research result also explained this benefit is the same at the dosage range of 0.02 and 1.0 mL, which indicates an increased dose of this herbal extract does not substantially improve the treatment outcome. [4]

Tibetan Rhodiola Uses

Tibetan Rhodiola has multiple therapeutic benefits. Different research report mentioned that the Tibetan Rhodiola extract showed the followinghealth benefits:·

Nervous system stimulation
Alleviation of depression
Work performance enhancement
Elimination of fatigue
Prevention of altitude sickness
Protection from stress
Anti-oxidative activities
Scavenges accumulated free radicals from the body system
Oxidative stress reduction
Cognitive functioning improvement
Reduction of mental fatigue
Enhancement of neuroprotective action
Anti-depressive activities

Neurode generative disease protection

The reactive oxygen species accumulation causes a reduction of neuronal cell proliferation, which leads to the stoppage of the neuronal cell generation. Free radicals also harmful to neuronal tissue as it reduces the viability and differentiation of neuronal stem cells. Tibetan Rhodiola can protect the nervous system against oxidative damage by generating free radicals. It prevents neural stem cell necrosis and also improves neurogenesis. The age-related declination of learning ability and gradual reduction of memory can be prevented by continuous intake Tibetan Rhodiola with increasing age. An animal research study result had shown this benefit. [4]

Curative and preventive effect against Alzheimer’s disease

Both antioxidant property and improvement of neuronal stem cell generation can prevent Alzheimer’s disease. It also improves learning and memory ability in Alzheimer’s disease affected patients. [4]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute lung injury

In high altitude one of the common cause of the illness is acute respiratory distress syndrome, which usually occurs due to acute lung injury in exposure to extremely cold weather. Tibetan Rhodiola extract is effective to treat and prevent this condition. The phytochemicals like salidroside and tyrosol present in TibetanRhodiola extract prevent hypoxia. [1]

Energizing agent

Tibetan Rhodiola root is used as an energizing tonic. It activates blood circulation to different tissues. [2]

Tibetan Rhodiola Side Effect

Tibetan Rhodiolabelongs to the same genera as Rhodiola Rosea. Therefore, the side effect and precautionary measures are the same as Rhodiola Rosea. Mild to moderate side effects of Tibetan Rhodiola may cause stomach upset, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, and difficulty in sleeping. However, every user may not feel these side effects, but some may have. Therefore, consult your doctor for accurate dosing of this herbal preparation. When should I avoid Tibetan Rhodiola?During pregnancy and lactation and individuals who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors prescribed medicine. [5]