Eliminating Medications From My Regimen

Daily stress from the pressures of everyday life can take a toll on a body, causing one to lack vitality or feel drained at the end of the day. If emotional stress has you overwrought and exhausted, you might want to speak with your physician about taking natural energy supplements. One such energy-boosting supplement is an herb known as rhodiola rosea. Discover why this natural plant root is taken by many to increase stamina and boost energy often lost through daily stress. Here are four important questions answered:

1. What is Rhodiola Rosea?

Derived from a flowering thick-rooted plant, this herb is used as an energy boosting and stress reducing supplement. The plant grows in the colder climates of Asia, Siberia, and North America. The vast majority of nutrients are found in the plant's roots, and this is mainly where the extract comes from. Referred to as an adaptogen, the herb is considered to be non-toxic and intended for human consumption and to help one's body adapt when under stress.

2. How Can This Supplement Help Stress-Induced Fatigue?

Although the research is mixed and more is needed, a number of scientific studies show that this adaptogen herb helps battle fatigue by helping boost the body's resistance to stress. Rhodiola rosea, when taken as a supplement, helps balance the body's neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that relay signals to the nerves. When these transmitters become unbalanced due to stress, you may become fatigued or lack the energy you need to perform functions such as work or exercise.

3. Why Might This Supplement Be a Better Choice Than Certain Stimulants?

Unlike synthetic or man-made energy boosters, the compounds found in this herbal adaptogen (a few of which are tyrosol, rhodioloside, and salidroside) are natural biological agents. By taking the adaptogen herb rhodiola rosea, you will be less likely to experience the side effects many stimulating drugs often cause, such as excitability or sleeplessness.

4. In What Form Is Rhodiola Rosea Usually Taken?

Many health food and natural food stores sell this herbal supplement in capsule form. Directions and dosage will be on the bottle. However, the dried roots are often made into a powdery substance which can be consumed as a tea. Look for the powdered tea in your whole foods store.

As always, before taking any type of supplement, it is best to consult with your physician. He or she can explain the possibility of side effects or interactions with any medications you may be taking.