Rhodiola Significantly Boosts Libido, Improves Erections and Psoriasis
Low sex drive and erectile dysfunction goes along many chronic health problems. Psoriasis is just one of the diseases that are very often accompanied with erectile problems and low libido even in young adults.
Rhodiola rosea is very powerful herb for marked improvement in sex drive and better erections. For a lot of men it works excellently and you wouldn’t believe it is just a herb and not some man-made patented drug.
Actually there are not many published articles about these effects of Rhodiola rosea in medical journals.
The question is why?
I think the answer is: it is not patentable and it brings a lot of money to sell patented drugs for erectile dysfunction and perhaps testosterone shots or gels for low libido.
Rhodiola rosea boosts libido
Actually improvements in libido and erections are usually not the reasons why most people take Rhodiola supplements. Its adaptogenic properties are probably the top reason why people start taking Rhodiola. Stress, fatigue, mental and physical performance are the most common issues people try combat with this herb.
Most scientific studies are focused on researching the anti-stress properties of Rhodiola and many of them already proved that regular administration of Rhodiola rosea significantly reduces common stress-related physiological processes. [1,2]
Stress, depression and anxiety are listed as major causes of erectile dysfunction and low libido in men. That is very possible truth but the point is to understand why stress causes erectile problems.
The answer is simple – it is all about the nervous system. Autonomic Nervous System uses the same neurotransmitters – adrenaline, noradrenaline and acetylcholine – for managing the many processes running in the whole body.
And how does it all connect to depression and anxiety?
Adrenaline is produced when we experience the stressful situations. If we are experiencing stressful situations on a daily basis and for a long time (then some adrenergic receptors) we may become less sensitive to adrenaline in some aspects.
That leads to various imbalances in our nervous system because adrenaline works not just as stress hormone but also as Autonomic Nervous System neurotransmitter.
Erections and parasympathetic nervous system
Erections are controlled by parasympathetic nervous system which manages them through release of acetylcholine – the same neurotransmitter which deficiency (or functional deficiency) I believe is involved in pathogenesis of psoriasis. [3]
Even though it is not fully understood how erection is initiated and maintained we know for sure that dopamine, acetylcholine and nitric oxide are heavily involved. Dopamine is a well-being neurotransmitter and it initiates the desire in brain. Subsequently the Autonomic Nervous System takes over the control and through the acetylcholine stimulates the cells in penis to release the nitric oxide in order to dilate the blood vessels. [4]
L-Arginine as precursor of nitric oxide is the main ingredient in most supplements or over-the-counter drugs for erectile dysfunction.
Nitric oxide affects mostly the vasodilation in penis and this is how it works but a lot of men have problem even with initiation and maintaining the erection. And that’s where Rhodiola rosea as dopaminergic supplement and lecithin as choline source come in.
Increasing the dopamine levels positively affects the libido – that’s well known for a long time. Many drugs that posses the dopaminergic activities list one of their effects increased libido. Rhodiola rosea is a completely natural way how to significantly increase sex drive and improve erections.
One of the best products of Rhodiola rosea is standardized extract produced by NOW. One bottle contains 60 capsules of 500mg Rhodiola rosea extract standardized to 1% salidroside and 3% rosavins. For about 11 dollars it is worth to try mostly for all those who think that their problems may be caused by stressful life, dopamine problems, HPA axis/ANS system dysfunction or from previous usage of some substances that caused low libido.
How to take Rhodiola and how long does it take to see the effects?
Always start with just one capsule daily because particularly the NOW product is very potent standardized extract. Two capsules daily should be strong enough for most.
On the bottles of most Rhodiola rosea supplements it is usually stated to take preferably with meal but many people take Rhodiola on an empty stomach for better absorption. Some even open up the capsule and take the powder sublingually for maximum absorption and faster effects. Rhodiola when taken regularly may significantly improve libido in about 2 hours after taking it.
Many users report the increase in libido and erections as soon as 2 days what is actually pretty good considering that it is just 4 capsules of Rhodiola (1 capsule twice a day).
Improved physical endurance and anxiolytic effects usually kick in in about 3 days after taking the Rhodiola regularly twice a day.
It varies but some effects are noticeable even after first dose of Rhodiola ever. For libido boosting properties, anxiolytic effects and improvement in physical performance 2-3 days are probably the time what is needed to get the significant results.
It is IMPORTANT not to use this herb for very long time and possibly cycle it because it may also cause imbalances in the body. Many users report that taking Rhodiola for 1-3 months was enough for them to correct various health related issues.
You can read more experiences with Rhodiola also on EarthClinic.com website.
Rhodiola and psoriasis
Actually this herb is one of the best for psoriasis because it works also as the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor thus increasing the effects of acetylcholine. Besides that as the adaptogenic herb it calms down the body the gentle way – not the way most chemical drugs do.
This calming effect is mediated via switching the sympathetic dominance to parasympathetic dominance so true healing may occur. Ideally Rhodiola should be just a part of the protocol for psoriasis.
Its effects on dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline may help the body to break the vicious cycle of dominance of sympathetic nervous system, HPA axis imbalance and overall inflammation. This effects may take place progressively within a few weeks or months of using Rhodiola supplement regularly.
B-complex, lecithin and bile acids or artichoke are essentials for psoriasis. Rhodiola may use those vitamins and other raw material to bring the body back to the parasympathetic state without psoriasis.
References:
1) Panossian A, Wikman G, Sarris J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy. Phytomedicine. 2010 Jun;17(7):481-93. – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20378318
2) Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta Med. 2009 Feb;75(2):105-12. – http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19016404
3) K.-E. Andersson. Mechanisms of Penile Erection and Basis for Pharmacological Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Pharmacol Rev December 2011 63:811-859;
– http://pharmrev.aspetjournals.org/content/63/4/811.full
4) Giuliano F1, Allard J. Dopamine and male sexual function. Eur Urol. 2001 Dec;40(6):601-8.
– http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11805404
