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

Thank you very much, Aunt Bean, soon I'll try it myself.

If you take Rhodiola rosea....supplement trytophan with bananas, legumes, beans, cheese,etc.
One site says 3% rosavins should be stated on label.
Someone said DR OZ has interesting info on his site about this herb...have to check this out as yet.

Thanks for this Aunt Bean,

Standard Process puts out a Rhodiola supplement combined with ginseng and Priority 1 puts one out combining several things including tryptophan - i just purchased the herb to give it a go !
cheers!
md

A friend who is on only fava and mucuna products also...has just started Rhodiola and her husband reports it has already started to do good things...more energy, walking faster...I am so excited....this means it is not my imagination that I feel good with less tincture (still taking very little, only half a dose when I do need it) Praise the Lord!

I took rhodiola for a few months before knowing I had PD (a medical psychic told me to take it!) but I didn't notice any benefits. Now I'm on Azilect so I can't take it :-( I really want to come off Azilect because of all the scary interactions but it makes the Sinemet last longer and I definitely don't want to up my Sinemet intake.

Trixidee

well well AB I think you have got something here - first day I took 175 mg rhodiola and noticed more energy to hike up the hill and decrease in desire for sweet.
2nd day same dose and still less desire for sweet - and had no "wearing on " effect of the morning dose of sinemet ( one pill 25/100) . Also of note is I also include 1/4 cup of fava POD juice (no bean) in the morning.
It does seem 2nd dose of rhodiola is more subtle and I would add that in classical homeopathic prescribing one can diminish efficacy of a remedy by repeating it too soon - I'm not sure how this principal would apply to an herb that has not been diluted and succussed tho

I'm wanting to keep sinemet dose to 1 pill 25/100 in AM and 2 doses of one pill 10/100 in PM or less. I think I' doing well considering tremor and other sx became noticeable over 18 years ago.
am wondering if rhodiola best taken on occasion rather than daily...
Viva rhodiola!

I am still doing well...taking 1/2 capsule daily of a 400mg from Swansons (which , buy the way are on sale right now buy one / get one free.....perfect timing cause I need more and want to try doing my own tincture with it so I can control how many drops I take. My friend is very excited about the results she is getting taking Rhodiola. THUMBS UP

I called the Swanson's people yesterday to make an order and got to talk to a person who actually knows about the supplements they sell...she said you could take rhodiola indefinitely if taken at the recommended dosage on the bottle...so that relieved my mind...that it wasn't harmful when taken for extended periods of time. I just wish I could find some place that has done extended research with it for PD.

Well, it is now Jan. 26th. I am still doing well and have been on the Rhodiola rosea herb since Dec 21st. Have not taken tincture for 2 days...but tomorrow is Sunday (have to sing in the choir) Lots of people around...may need some and carry it in my purse just in case..pretty handy stuff. Sometimes I get looked at funny (taking out a dropper bottle and squirting something into my mouth...but have reached an age where I don't care , if they ask me what I'm taking, I tell them) I am still doing approx 200mg Rhodiola one day and 400 mg the next...it doesn't taste bad and can be poured into cereal...good way to reduce the amount and less pills to swallow is great. ANYBODY ELSE TRYIN IT ?