RHODIOLA ROOT POWDER 1 LB

MEDICINAL USES

1. Helps the body to handle stress better;
2. Chronic fatigue and mental focus;
3. Often used to alleviate symptoms of depression;
4. Improves brain function and ability of the brain to perform work;
5. Improve exercise endurance;
6. May improve diabetes according to animal studies;
7. Treatment of various forms of cancer.

CAUTIONS

Rhodiola might cause a dry mouth or excessive saliva production but is generally safe for use in the short term according to WebMD.  The herb may however stimulate the immune system that may in theory worsen auto-immune related conditions.  Caution is also advised for diabetics because the herb can lower blood sugar levels. MEDICINAL INTERACTIONS Most resources indicate that there are no known interactions that pose threatening risks.  Some sources do however caution the use of Rhodiola and benzodiazepines, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)  stating that it may lead to drowsiness.

MEDICINAL INTERACTIONS

1. EscitalopramInteraction - Escitalopram is changed and broken down by the body. Rhodiola might change how the body breaks down some medications. Taking rhodiola along with escitalopram might increase the side effects of escitalopram.
2. Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) - Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Rhodiola might increase how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking rhodiola along with some medications that are changed by the liver can decrease the effectiveness of some medications. Some of these medications that are changed by the liver include include lovastatin (Mevacor), ketoconazole (Nizoral), itraconazole (Sporanox), fexofenadine (Allegra), triazolam (Halcion), and many others. Consult with a healthcare provider.
3. Medications for diabetes - Rhodiola can lower blood sugar levels and taken in combination with medication to lower blood sugar might lower the blood sugar levels too much.  Caution should be taken and sugar levels should be carefully monitored so that medications can be altered.  Consult with a Healthcare provider.
4. Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) - Rhodiola may amplify the effect of lowering blood pressure.  Caution should be used and medications might need to be altered.  Consult with a healthcare provider.
5. Medications moved by pumps in cells (P-Glycoprotein Substrates) - Some medications are moved by pumps in cells. Rhodiola can make these pumps more active and decrease how much of some medications get absorbed by the body. This might decrease the effectiveness of some medications.Some medications that are moved by these pumps include some chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, paclitaxel, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir, saquinavir), H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine), some calcium channel blockers (diltiazem, verapamil), corticosteroids, erythromycin, cisapride (Propulsid), fexofenadine (Allegra), cyclosporine, loperamide (Imodium), quinidine, and others.
6. Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) -  Rhodiola increases the immune system activity.  It may this interfere with medications that lowers the immune system like: azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.