Two friends who can help improve stress related conditions, assist mood disorders, improve energy and decrease the side effects of some drugs are Rhodiola and Schisandra.

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Rhodiola is traditionally used as a tonic, to improve mental and physical performance, and immune function. It's defined as an adaptogen by Russian scientists and  contains rosavins and salidroside which are important for authenticity and quality.

Clinically demonstrated to:

• improve symptoms and mental function in depression and neurosis 
• relieve symptoms in generalised anxiety disorder 
• help some schizophrenic patients
• improve physical performance in the tired and depressed
• improve mental performance in students and workers
• relieve fatigue in students
• relieve symptoms in the stressed and fatigued, including improving mental   function
• improve sexual function in men.

Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

Schisandra (pictured) is traditionally used as a tonic and to improve physical performance, and is also defined as an adaptogen by Russian scientists. It contains lignans, such as schisandrin.

Clinically demonstrated to:

• improve mental and physical performance in healthy volunteers
• improve mental performance and health in workers
• relieve symptoms in the debilitated and fatigued
• provide benefit in mild depression
• help some schizophrenic patients
• reduce side effects of drugs in psychiatric patients and alcoholics
• improve recovery and immune function in chronic sinusitis 

The stress-protective effect of adaptogens is related to regulation of homeostasis via several mechanisms associated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and the regulation of key mediators of the stress response, including for example, cortisol and nitric oxide. 

Indications and safety

• Assist fatigue, stress, mental and/or physical exhaustion 
• Improve mental performance and well-being during study or work 
• Improve symptoms in mild to moderate depression and provide tonic support for patients with nervous disorders 
• Part of a regimen to support sexual function in men 
• May provide liver support 
• Contraindicated in pregnancy, except at birth.