Rhodiola rosea improves depression in a Phase-III Clinical Trial

Neurological researchers tested the effects of a standardized Rhodiola rosea extract on 89 patients with depression (mild to moderate). The study was a Phase III Clinical Trial that was designed as a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled human trial with 3 parallel groups over a 6-week period. One group received a total of 340mg a day of Rhodiola and the second received 680mg a day while the third group received the inactive placebo. The participants ranged in age from 18 to 70. The herb improved overall depression, somatization, emotional stability and insomnia significantly, benefits not seen in the placebo group. The study is published in the November-December 2007 issue of the Nordic Journal of Psychiatry. Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.; somatization is the conversion of mental experiences into bodily symptoms. Clinicians will find combinations of the following nutrients very helpful with depression; SAMe, 5-HTP, Vitamin D, Magnesium, Folic Acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Fish Oil Fatty Acids, and other B-Complex Vitamins. Cordyceps, Maca, Acetyl-L-Carnitine, Coenzyme Q10, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and NADH (Coenzyme 1) are also helpful. St. John’s Wort works but has too many side effects and drug interactions. Sometimes older patients are helped when DHEA levels are brought back up to normal.