Product Description

Herbal supplement. Adaptogens for physical & mental stamina. Formulas by Michael Tierra L.Ac., O.M.D. Rhodiola Rosea is a legendary adaptogenic tonifier that comes from the polar arctic regions of Eastern Siberia. Among traditional people there, it is highly valued as a strengthening tonic to increase physical and mental stamina. Full Spectrum Rhodiola Rosea combines an extract standardized to 0.8% salidrosides and 0.8% rosavin with whole root extract, providing a broad spectrum of rhodiola constituents. Lifestyle Recommendations. Avoid excessive stress, eat regularly scheduled meals, get adequate rest and exercise regularly. Other Planetary Formulas tonifiers and adaptogens include: Reishi Mushroom Supreme, Schizandra Adrenal Support, Eleuthero Fluid Extract and Ginseng Revitalizer. (These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6356 in Health and Beauty
• Size: 120 Tabs
• Brand: Planetary Formulas
• Model: PF0558
• Released on: 2006-06-21
• Ingredients: Supplement Facts Serving Size: 2 tablets Serving Per size: 30 Amount per serving %DV Calcium 41 mg 4% Rhodiola rosea Root Extract 625 mg ** (standardized to 0.8% salidrosides and 0.8% rosavins) Rhodiola rosea Root Extract (4:1) 30 mg ** other ingredients: dibasic calcium phosphate, sorbitol, stearic acid, colloidal silicon dioxide, modified cellulose gum and magnesium stearate. **Daily Value not yet established.
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .40 pounds

Features

• Adaptogen for physical and mental stamina
• A legendary botanical from the Polar Arctic regions of Eastern Siberia
• Traditionally used to increase stamina
• Used to enhance health, vitality and mood and support the normal mechanisms our bodies have for maintaining a healthy balance or homeostasis
• Combines an extract standardized to 0.8% salidrosides and 0.8% rosavin with a whole root extract, for a complete spectrum of rhodiola constituents

Customer Reviews

Rhodiola rosea is known to be effective but I noticed something important here
This product fits the Wikipedia description of increasing energy and mental performance although its composition is unexpected (more on that below). It provides me a boost of positive energy but only slightly and not long-lasting.

The studies don't show a notable nutritional benefit, but Wikipedia confirms that rhodiola rosea is also effective in treating clinical depression. A boost in energy and mental alertness would help battle depression but then I think much larger dosages would be needed.

Suggested use per container is 2 tablets twice daily between meals. For me, the effect of the 2 tablets is good but doesn't last until the next meal, and as yet I haven't tried taking more than 4 per day.

They claim this is a product to take in the morning and early afternoon since it might interfere with sleep (unless you work the third shift). I don't take this warning seriously because the effect has not been long-lasting. The strength of a particular brand particular Rhodiola Rosea is impossible to determine although the composition of ingredients is given.

The unexpected composition is worth noting. Per this product: "Combines an extract standardized to 0.8% salidrosides and 0.8% rosavin with a whole root extract, for a complete spectrum of rhodiola constituents"

This departs from the natural standardized amount of 3 percent rosavins and 0.8% to 1% salidroside, because the naturally occurring ratio of these compounds in Rhodiola rosea root is approximately 3:1.

In other words, all the studies that definitely show Rhodiola rosea root is effective use a 3:1 ratio and this product uses a .8:.8 or more precisely a 1:1 ratio. The studies used a 100 mg tablet. Planetary Formulas uses a 327 mg tablet.

With its 327 mg tablet, Planetary Formulas provides only 86.7% of of rosavin when compared to the standard 100 mg tablets of the studies. Planetary Formulas gives us a bigger pill but slighly less rosavin. Why?

Although we get 86.7% of the rosavin we expected, we get 262% of the salidrosides per dosage as we expected. (I did the math.) Again, why?

Their 327 mg tablets might seem like added value over the standard 100 mg tablet upon which all the studies are based. Also they state, "with a whole root extract," and the fact is that 28 compounds have been identified in Rhodiola rosea. Possibly their bigger tablet contains more of these 28 compounds, but I have no way to be certain about that.

I can't say what the motivation was for creating a product with this ratio. I am tempted to infer that the missing rosavin costs more than the added salidroside. After all this thinking about it, I recognize that the price is favorable per tablet anyway.

Barely Noticeable Effect
Rhodiola works great. When I ran out of MIND BODY & SPIRIT, I picked this up and a couple of other brands as well. Couldn't get the same Rhodiola lift out of it. While another reviewer has good luck with it, I think that may be because she hasn't tried anything else. This product just doesn't have much going for it. I had to double up on the dosage to get any noticeable effect.

5 days in, it's great.
Noticed the effects immediately, and haven't seen a significant drop in effectiveness since then. If you read this review in 30 days or so and I haven't updated with a fuller story, add a comment and I'll see that and update.