Originally Posted by Lemonlime

Hi Drevy - I am curious how long you were on Azilect and if you had a hard time coming off of it? Rhodiola is something we would like to try, among other supplements, but can't because of the Azilect being an MAOI - B inhibitor. Apparently there are 693 meds that interact with Azilect - that's crazy! I would appreciate any information you could contribute about weaning off and any changes you may have noticed, other than anxiety. Of course this would be done with a doctor's supervision.

Originally Posted by Aunt Bean

Here is my limited research on this :
I have been taking it for 3 1/2 weeks now and feel that it is worth you all looking into and doing more research with me
I decided to start off with Contraindications for using it, anything thing listed below is a RED Light ...Don't Use IF:
1. pregnant or nursing ....& don't give to children
2. do not take if you are taking an MAOI (it acts as one)
3. If you are bipolar or have manic depression
4. If you have sever kidney or liver disease
5. If you have low blood sugar (take with food) don't take if you
won't be able to eat within 30 min after taking this herb
6. Do not combine with caffeine
7. Take in am...it may interfere with sleep
Possible side effects: insomnia, irritability, mild jitters, restlessness, vivid dreams. It can restore menses. High Doses can cause: heart palpitation, rapid heart beat, or a panicky feeling.
Start with a small dose and stay small...works as homeopathic (less is more)

Things Rhodiola rosea has been used for:
Treatment of colds, anemia, headache, cancer, infertility and erectile dysfunction,leukorrhea, and to strengthen the heart muscle. It promotes energy and stamina and mental performance (memory , etc)
As an anti-oxidant, it protects the nervous system from oxidative damage from free-radicals. It reduces stress related chemicals in the body and improves MOTOR COORDINATION. It is an anti-inflamatory.
One site said...Helps to rebuild dopamine.
Starting in the brain stem it promotes release of norepinephrin, serotonin and dopamine and enhances the effects of these neurotransmitters on the brain by increasing the permeability of the BLOOD BRAIN BARRIER.
It increases ATP . It enhances thyroid function without causing hyperthyroidism. Helps the thymus and adrenal glands to function better.
I started out taking 400mg Swanson Rhodiola rosea on Dec21st. After exactly 2 weeks ..noticed that I didn't need as many doses of fava tincture (my homemade l-dopa supplement from fava plant). The next day, I didn't require any. Certain days needed one dose or more . After 17 days had 2 very short episodes of heart palpitations and decided to cut back on dose. I am now emptying 1/2 a capsule into my cereal in the morning and saving the other half for the next day. This seems to be working well (approx 200 mg daily) I feel a tincture would be better for controlling dosage and probably 100mg a day may give good effects good effects.(possibly even 50mg)

Hope this will inspire some of you to more research on this herb. God Bless

Originally Posted by Aunt Bean

I am not a doctor Drevy , but Zandopa is mucuna base and my other friend here that is going natural for PD takes the Rhodiola and mucuna capsules also.. she also makes and takes fermented Payaya and fava tincture. She does not seem to be having a problem with it. She just made a visit to her neuro at Vanderbuilt (spelling?) and they said she checked out good..just keep doing what she is doing and keep notes so she can teach them about the natural things we are doing. A definite Thumbs UP.
I have just reduced down to 1/2 Swanson brand 400mg Rhodiola before breakfast and seem to be doing ok with it this time. Tried it before and my energy level dropped so I had gone back on a whole again. Been taking 1/2 for a week and still ok this time. (I still haven't had time to make the Rhodiola extract ..taking apart all the capsules takes a while....but I will get to it soon.