Rhodiola Rosea

Leigh14

I used to take rhodiola for increased focus and energy throughout the day a while ago. This morning, I found I still had some in a blister pack. It said on the back to take 1-2 pills before physical activities. I'd never taken it before working out, but my boyfriend has, so I thought I'd try it.

1 hour, 20 minutes and 1069 calories later... I was feeling G-R-E-A-T!! I'd never spent that long in the gym, never burned that many calories at once and never felt so euphoric after a workout. I cooled down, but noticed my heart rate was still fairly high. I average 125-135 during my normal workout; today I averaged 153 with a high of 186. When I was cooling down, my heart rate was around 125. I sat down in the locker room and watched my heart rate. It never dipped lower than 115-116. I went ahead and changed clothes, walked out to my car and when I got in, it was registering 155. I monitored it all the way home (about 15 minutes) and it went to around 106, no lower. My resting heart rate is normally around 80.

Is it normal for my heart rate to be elevated after taking rhodiola? Does anyone take rhodiola on a regular basis or before working out? I've researched it and it seems very safe... I'd just like some input from people who actually take it.

Thanks!! Sorry that was so long. :flowerforyou:

Leigh14

I used to take rhodiola for increased focus and energy throughout the day a while ago. This morning, I found I still had some in a blister pack. It said on the back to take 1-2 pills before physical activities. I'd never taken it before working out, but my boyfriend has, so I thought I'd try it.

1 hour, 20 minutes and 1069 calories later... I was feeling G-R-E-A-T!! I'd never spent that long in the gym, never burned that many calories at once and never felt so euphoric after a workout. I cooled down, but noticed my heart rate was still fairly high. I average 125-135 during my normal workout; today I averaged 153 with a high of 186. When I was cooling down, my heart rate was around 125. I sat down in the locker room and watched my heart rate. It never dipped lower than 115-116. I went ahead and changed clothes, walked out to my car and when I got in, it was registering 155. I monitored it all the way home (about 15 minutes) and it went to around 106, no lower. My resting heart rate is normally around 80.

Is it normal for my heart rate to be elevated after taking rhodiola? Does anyone take rhodiola on a regular basis or before working out? I've researched it and it seems very safe... I'd just like some input from people who actually take it.

Thanks!! Sorry that was so long. :flowerforyou:

songbyrdsweet

I'm not familiar with rhodiola, but anything that keeps your HR elevated for that long and under resting conditions doesn't seem like a safe substance to me. Is there a trainer at the gym who might be able to take your blood pressure post workout?

Leigh14

It's the rec center, so I'm not sure, but I will ask next weekend. I only go there on the weekends because the gym @ work is closed.

I'm still doing some research on rhodiola. I can't seem to find anything about elevating your heart rate, though... :huh: It just says it is a mood helper, destresser, brain power booster and performance enhancer.

Leigh14

Okay... I just found something that says rhodiola actually helps normalize heart rate after intense exertion.

:huh: Could it just be me, then?

songbyrdsweet

It's the rec center, so I'm not sure, but I will ask next weekend. I only go there on the weekends because the gym @ work is closed.

I'm still doing some research on rhodiola. I can't seem to find anything about elevating your heart rate, though... :huh: It just says it is a mood helper, destresser, brain power booster and performance enhancer.

Those are all really vague terms, but they don't explain anything about its actual function in the body. There are some herbs that have a strong effect on the body. It's important to be careful with stuff that hasn't been in any clinical tests.

Leigh14

Yeah, you're right. :frown: I am going to do some more research in a little while and see if I can find some clinical comments. Also, I just realized that the rhodiola I was taking was not the straight herb, it has some things mixed in... not sure exactly what yet, but I know one of them is caffeine. I have been limiting my caffeine for four or five months now... do you think that could account for the heart rate boost??

RachVR6

I use to take it, and I loved it! It helped me stay wide awake all day too, it seemed. I never experienced the elevated heartrate.

adopt4

Yeah, the caffeine could do it.

astridfeline

Wikipedia cites several "pilot studies in humans" you may want to read those.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodiola_rosea