Customer Reviews

The Rhodiola Revolution: Transform Your Health with the Herbal Breakthrough of the 21st Century

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With all the factual, quasi-factual, and erroneous information on the market about herbal remedies the reader has to be careful about the author's credentials in most publications. In this case both authors hold highly regarded credentials. Richard Brown, M.D. is associate professor of clinical psychiatry at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City and has a private practice in psychiatry and psychopharmacology. Patricia Gerbarg, M.D. is assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at New York Medical College in Valhalla.

"The Rhodiola Revolution" is the result of their research and experiences with the herb Rhodiola Rosea. Divided into three parts, the first part is mainly an introduction to the interrelated health factors of stress (both emotional and biological). In it the authors also examine the human energy crisis in detail and how so many factors work together to rob people of their energy.

The second part provides a detailed history of Rhodiola Rosea and how it works to increase energy levels, safeguard the neurological system, regulate hormone balance, increase physical performance, reduce mental stress, help depression and a whole host of other problems. What makes Rhodiola different from other herbs? The authors point out that it is an adaptogen and very few herbs meet the qualifications to be classified as one. Specifically an adaptogen must meet three qualifications. First it must increase "the body's resistance to a broad range of agents including physical (heat, cold, and exertion), chemical (toxins and heavy metals), and biological (bacteria and viruses)". Second, it must have a normalizing action. It must have a tendency to normalize "whatever pathological changes or reactions have occurred". So, if your thyroid is overactive it would tend to make it become less so and if it is under active it would tend to make it become more active. No matter what the condition it tends to bring your variance back toward the norm. Third, any side effects must be minimal or non-existent and it must have minimal toxicity.

The last part of the book is an action plan to increase your energy levels and maintain high energy levels for life. It includes information on dietary changes, supplementation, sleep, exercise, and even mental aerobics.

"The Rhodiola Revolution" is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in alternative medicine and herbal solutions in particular. The text was convincing enough that I decided to try supplementing with it. A week later I find that I am much less fatigued at the end of the day and very happy with the results. Pick up a copy of "The Rhodiola Revolution"; you won't be disappointed.

I am a medical writer. I spend much of my time researching and writing about alternative therapies. I was surprised and delighted to discover this beautifully-written book, describing an herb I had never heard of and all its potential applications. Dr. Brown and Dr. Gerbarg are both solid, well-respected, knowledgeable psychiatrists who are versed in conventional as well as alternative modalities and their research is impeccable.

I myself began taking rhodiola a few months ago because I was experiencing depression (a side effect of a medication i have been taking.) I was very pleased to discover that my depression lifted within about a week of starting therapy. I highly recommend both the book and the herb.

I loved reading Rhodiola Revolution. It is hard to single out a section that spoke to me more than another - the writing is simple and clear - the presentation believable and exciting - and all without being sensational. The descriptions of cellular energy - vagus nerve - different stress responder types and complementary cancer care are brilliant and should make an impact on many both in the professional and lay communities. The anecdotal reports are inspiring and a dignified testament to the power of rhodiola and herbal medicine. I congratulate both of you on this landmark contribution to the literature on herbal medicine.

I have been taking a formula of adaptogens developed by the late Dr. Israel I. Brekhman that includes rhodiola rosea and six other herbs. I have been taking this formula going on seven years, and at age 72 I feel fantastic. Whenever I go for a check up, the doctors are very impressed with my appearance and health. I will never stop taking this formula as long as I live, and I expect that to be a long long time, and that does not exist in my family history. When the Soviets first started their space program, they had an 85% drop out in the program. After being put on Dr. Brekhmans formula, they had an 95% retention, so that should tell you of the effectiveness of his formula. God's gift to humanity should be enjoyed by everyone, and I hope that the herbal supply never runs out.

A friend told me about rhodiola (it was recommended to her by a doctor,) and it's helped me control stress and anxiety. It's one of the best things I've used, ESPECIALLY including prescription meds (no side effects!) So, I was excited to see this new and informative book. Rhodiola Revolution is more than just instructions on how to take rhodiola and all of the things it's good for -- it's also a serious scientific book, a fascinating history of the herb, and a fun read!

This book has a wonderful history of the plant and it was a terrific read. It made me want to go out and buy some Rhodiola to give it a try! The best thing you can say about a book is that it inspires you to take action of some kind.

I was very surprised that the book doesn't mention the Verde Botanica brand, as this is North America's best-selling Rhodiola. Also, no mention of Arctic Root, another top line. (Evidently those Swedes put everything through human, double-blind placebo controlled trials in typical Swedish precision fashion). This book must have been written before these brands were in the USA.

Now that I've tried every single brand of Rhodiola, I wish that the authors had mentioned that there are great differences between them. I've found only two brands that are consistently good, and settled in on the Verde Botanica brand as my daily preference.

I loved the way that the authors separate this book into sections based on the health condition, so that you can browse the book and get good suggestions based upon whatever you have going on. All in all, a great read.

Read this book and try Rhodiola; you will not be disappointed. I'm 53 years old and work 13 to 14 hours a day seven days a week in a war zone. In addition to eating healthy, getting seven hours of sleep a night and exercising; I was having to consume inordinate amounts of caffeine to sustain my energy level. Rhodiola has improved my energy level while reducing my dependence on caffeine. It has also improved my mental clarity, productivity, workout capacity, recovery, ability to sleep more soundly etc. This stuff works, it's natural and has no known side effects.

I liked this book, but it is now a few years out of date. All the health information is correct, but I couldn't find my brand of Rhodiola in there (the one I take was actually recommended by doctors who trained under this Dr. Brown, it is called Mind Body & Spirit). Dr. Brown's book was very helpful for me with how to take the herb, and fine tuning my dosage requirements, etc. But I think they need to update the "sources" book, and say something about why there are so many shoddy brands of cheap Rhodiola (all with high MG counts) on the market. People need to know that it isn't by high mg counts that you get the results.

I have had a number of health problems over the past several years which have dramatically impacted my imune system, energy, and vitality. I began taking a product (blend of Rhodiola and three other botanicals) formulated by Zakir Ramazanov and Don Bodenbach, and I feel better than I have in years, I have energy, and my body actually defends itself from stress and illness.

If you use the "look inside" feature to read the table of contents, you will see a synopsis of the benefits many people (whom I know personally)are experiencing on the Ramazanov/Bodenbach formulation called Frutaiga. It's great to know there are companies putting top quality(highest grade available)extracts in the right amounts into their products to genuinely produce the results Brown chronicles.To learn more about how this has impacted me, see ilivewell dot us or theeliteteam dot biz

I am recovering from a life altering traumatic event. This little miracle was suggested to me and I promptly ordered it. I have shared this with several members of my family, who are also taking with the same great results. As an RN, naturally I had to read the book and learn as much as I can. The book was extremely informative.