Rhodiola and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to Rhodiola, preferably Rhodiola crenulata , to treat various conditions and diseases in mammals. Rhodiola crenulata is a Tibetan herb which has been discovered to have highly useful and beneficial properties heretofore unknown. Rhodiola crenulata is especially preferred to enhance blood oxygen levels, to enhance working capacity and endurance, to enhance memory and concentration, to enhance cardiac and cardiovascular function, to provide antioxidant effects, to protect against oxidation, to modulate testosterone and estradiol levels, to modulate sleep, and to enhance sexuability, such as improve sexual performance.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method of increasing testosterone levels in a subject in need thereof, comprising, administering an effective amount of a Rhodiola to said subject.  
     
     
         2 . A method of  claim 1 , with the proviso that said subjects do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn.  
     
     
         3 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said testosterone levels are raised by at least 10%.  
     
     
         4 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said testosterone levels are raised by at least 15%.  
     
     
         5 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said Rhodiola is  Rhodiola crenulata.    
     
     
         6 . A method of  claim 2 , wherein said Rhodiola is an extract which comprises 2% salidroside by weight.  
     
     
         7 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said increase in testosterone level is effective in enhancing sexual performance, maintaining muscle and bone mass, and improving sexual function and psychological well being.  
     
     
         8 . A method of treating estrogen deficiency in a female human subject in need thereof, comprising administering an effective amount of Rhodiola to said subject, whereby said amount is effective in increasing blood estradiol levels.  
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 8 , with the proviso that said subjects do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn.  
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein said estrodiol levels are increased by at least 10%.  
     
     
         11 . A method of  claim 9 , wherein said subject is menopausal.  
     
     
         12  A method of improving sleep in a subject in need thereof, comprising, administering an effective amount of a Rhodiola to said subject.  
     
     
         13 . A method of  claim 12 , with the proviso that said subjects do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn.  
     
     
         14  A method of  claim 13 , wherein said Rhodiola is  Rhodiola crenulata.    
     
     
         15 . A method of enhancing transport of blood oxygen, enhancing working capacity and endurance, or enhancing cardiac and cardiovascular function in a subject in need thereof, comprising, 
 administering an effective amount of a  Rhodiola crenulata  to said subject, whereby said amount of Rhodiola is effective to reduce blood levels of lactate.    
     
     
         16 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein said amount of Rhodiola is effective to raise skeletal levels of ATP.  
     
     
         17 . A method of  claim 15 , wherein the skeletal levels of ATP are raised at least 30%.  
     
     
         18 . Am method of  claim 15 , wherein blood levels of lactate are reduced at least 20%.  
     
     
         19 . A method of  claim 15 , with the proviso that said subjects do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn.  
     
     
         20 . A method of enhancing memory and concentration in a subject in need thereof, comprising, 
 administering an effective amount of a  Rhodiola crenulata  to said subject.    
     
     
         21 . A method of claim  20 , with the proviso that said subjects do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn. 
 administering an effective amount of a  Rhodiola crenulata  to said subject.    
     
     
         23 . A method of claim  20 , with the proviso that said subjects are do not have lung inflammation, coughing, or an external wound or burn.  
     
     
         24 . A method of claim  22 , wherein blood levels of lactate are reduced at least 20%.  
     
     
         25 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition for increasing hormonal levels of testosterone or estradiol, comprising 
 an effective amount of  Rhodiola crenulata , and    an effective amount of an herb selected from wild yam, Epimedium, Angelica, Lycium, panex ginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, Codonopsis, Eleutherococcus, fructus lycii, hippophae rhamnoides, Schisandra chinensis, Atractylodes, Yohimbe, Tribulus Terrestris, Guggle, Guarana, Cordyceps, Codonopsis, maca, or Ligustrum lucidum.    
     
     
         26 . A method of  claim 1 , wherein said composition for increasing hormonal levels of testosterone or estradiol, comprising 
 an effective amount of  Rhodiola crenulata , and    an effective amount 4-drostenedione, 5-androstenedione, 4(or 5-)androstenediol, 19nor-4 (or 5-)-drostenedione, 19-nor-4 (or 5-)-androstenediol, Beta-ecdysterone, and 5-Methyl-7-Methoxy Isoflavone.    
     
     
         27 . A method of  claim 12 , wherein said composition for enhancing sleep, comprising 
 an effective amount of  Rhodiola crenulata , and    an effective amount of an agent selected from Valerian, Melatonina, Kava Kava, St. John's Wort, Trytophan and 5-Hydroxytryptophan, Astragalus, Hops, Passionflower, Skullcap, Chamomile, He Shou Wu, Ashwaganda, fructus lycii, hippophae rhamnoides, or Lady's Slipper.    
     
     
         28 . An herbal composition comprising: 
 an amount of  Rhodiola crenulata , and    an amount of a herb selected from pine pollen, fructus lycii, hippophae rhamnoides, Salvia Miltiorrhiza, Ligusticum, Acanthopanax, Astragalus, Ephedra, codonopsis, polygola tenuifolia Willd, Lilium, Guggle, Kudzu, red clover, pine bark extract, St.    John's Wort, Green tea, Yohimbe, Rehmania, Hawthorn, Guarana, Goldenseal, Fo-ti, Ephedra, Dong Quai, Cordyceps, Codonopsis, Citrus Aurantium, Sparganium, ginseng, panax notogiseng, Garcinia, Guggle, Grape Seed Extract or powder, Ginkgo Biloba., Creatine Monohydrate, D-Ribose, Pyruvate, NADH, Co-enzyme Q10, Camitine, or Conjuagated Linoleic Acid.    
     
     
         29 . A composition of claim  28 , comprising: 
 20-70%  Rhodiola crenulata  extract, said extract having 0.5-10% salidroside content,    10-45% 5:1 extracted fructus lycii powder;    1-20% of hippophae rhamnoides powder; and, optionally,    a pharmaceutically-acceptable excipient.    
     
     
         30 . An herbal composition of claim  28 , 
 wherein said composition is effective to enhance levels of blood oxygen, to enhance working capacity and endurance, to enhance memory and concentration, to reduce stress, to enhance cardiac and cardiovascular function, to provide antioxidant effects, to modulate testosterone levels, to modulate sleep, to improve sexual performance.