Rhodiola #
| Binomial / Botanical Name | Rhodiola Rosea |
| Street Names | Golden Root; Rose Root; Aaron’s Rod; King’s Crown; Arctic Root |
| Major Active Compound | Rosavin; Salidroside |
| Indigenous Source | Europe; Asia; North America |
| Form | Powdered Root |
| RoA | Oral |
| Personal Rating On Shulgin Scale | +* |
SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE #
Rhodiola Rosea has been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of disorders, but primarily with respect to this book, anxiety and depression. Its root contains about 140 chemical compounds although contemporaneously rosavin is often extracted for these purposes.
I sampled this on the second day of a visit to Australia, whilst (as usual) I was suffering from significant jet lag. The packet was labelled Rhodiola 3, and 3% Rosavin, with Super Concentrate capitalized on the rear.
At about 1pm a colleague poured some of the powder into a gel cap. This wasn’t a measured dose, but given my condition and that I was feeling wretched my judgement was impaired and I consumed it anyway.
By 2pm I was experiencing a mild heady sedation, which wasn’t unpleasant. I was being driven down the M1 towards Brisbane, and it produced a generally relaxed blanket over the jet lag. At 3pm I noted the impression that if I was lying in a bed rather than sitting in a car this would have helped me to drop off. I generally felt sleepy and relaxed in a less jet-lagged and more positive sort of way.
Overall this was a mild but decent anxiolytic ride, which faded over the following hours.