Customer Reviews

Planetary Formulas Full Spectrum Rhodiola Rosea Extract, 327 mg, Tablets, 120 tablets

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

This herb really does increase energy levels, but with no side effects, no jitters, no sleeplessnss. Quite amazing stuff.

I do a lot of high altitude hiking in the SoCal and Eastern Sierras. Every time I went to Mt. Whitney or other 14ners and 13ners, I have different levels of altitude sickness. After trying the Rhodiola Rosea, it helps my breathing a lot above 12000 feet, this is the elevation level I start to feel my breathing. The light headed feeling, can't catch up the breath and energy loss.

It also helps my recovery from strenuous workouts and hiking, especially when I do 20+ miles dayhikes.
Since it's pretty safe, I usually take double/triple dosage when doing strenuous high elevation hikes to make sure I can minimize the high altitude sickness.
The herb is highly used in Tibet for the same high altitude sickness reason.

Highly recommend to people that have discomfort at high elevation.

The price went up to $22.26 ? I paid $16.31 per bottle just few weeks ago.......
a 36.5% increase ? Seems like another other brand Solaray Super Rhodiola is a much better value.

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.

-- UPDATE August 19, 2010 --

So as you can read in the comments in this review, the initial perceived effects of sustained attention and lack of fatigue wore off within a couple months, and could well have been placebo effect. On the other hand, there were no negative effects, so if you've read about this herb online and you want to see if it works for you, I can't dis-recommend this item.

For reference: I have not tried any other brands or preparations.

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.