Hang-over-and-contentration

Memory and concentration problems the day after alcohol consumption are common and problematic, especially for students or those with professional responsibilities.

Rhodiola

Rhodiola rosea L. (R. rosea L.), also known as Rhodiola, Roseroot, Arctic Root, and Golden Root. [1] In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), R. rosea L. is used to replenish the qi (vital energy), activate blood circulation, unblock blood vessels, and improve mental function. [2]

Rhodiola extracts are used as a dietary supplement for athletes to enhance the body's natural resistance, as an "adaptogen" to improve physical and mental performance, and to combat stress and fatigue. [3]

Several clinical trials have shown that standardized Rhodiola extract improves mental performance and attention in cognitive function in case of fatigue after single and repeated administration, [4,5,6] and prevents physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion in patients with fatigue syndrome. [7]

Its composition includes salidroside, p-tyrosol, rosavine, pyridine, rhodiosin, and rhodionin as the active ingredients of the Rhodiola species, but their quantity varies. [8]

Modern pharmacological studies indicate that its extracts can increase neurotransmitter levels, central nervous system activity, and cardiovascular function. [9,10]

Ginseng

The consumption of ginseng has been shown to have beneficial effects on the central nervous system, especially on cognitive functions, memory, and learning ability. [11,12]. The ginsenoside Rg1 or Rb1 has been highlighted for the improvement of cognitive functions. [13,14,15]

Ginseng offers a wide range of therapeutic properties. 

L-Theanine

L-Theanine is the subject of special attention by the scientific community, which sees it as a modulator of human brain functions.

We will talk about modulation of alpha activity that applies to tasks requiring attention, a beneficial effect on mental state. [16,17,18]

The combination of rhodiola, L-theanine, and ginseng promotes concentration and memory retention of acquired knowledge.

[1] (Farhath et al., 2005)

[2] (Committee of the Pharmacopoeia of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China, 2005).

[3]. Panossian A, Wikman G, Sarris J. Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy. Phytomedicine. 2010

[4]. Shevtsov VA, Zholus BI, Shervarly VI, Vol’skij VB, Korovin YP, Khristich MP, Roslyakova NA, Wikman G. A randomized trial of two different doses of a SHR-5 Rhodiola rosea extract versus placebo and control of capacity for mental work. Phytomedicine. 2003

[5]. Darbinyan V, Kteyan A, Panossian A, Gabrielian E, Wikman G, Wagner H. Rhodiola rosea in stress induced fatigue--a double blind cross-over study of a standardized extract SHR-5 with a repeated low-dose regimen on the mental performance of healthy physicians during night duty. Phytomedicine. 2000.

[6]. Spasov AA, Wikman GK, Mandrikov VB, Mironova IA, Neumoin VV. A double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of the stimulating and adaptogenic effect of Rhodiola rosea SHR-5 extract on the fatigue of students caused by stress during an examination period with a repeated low-dose regimen. Phytomedicine. 2000.

[7] Olsson EM, von Schéele B, Panossian AG. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue. Planta Med. 2009

[8] Zhang et al., 2006.

[9] Spasov et al., 2000

[10] Shevtsov et al., 2003

[11] Attele AS, Wu JA, Yuan CS. Ginseng pharmacology: multiple constituents and multiple actions. Biochem Pharmacol. 1999;58:1685–93.

[12] Radad K, Gille G, Moldzio R, Saito H, Rausch WD. Ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg1 effects on mesencephalic dopaminergic cells stressed with glutamate. Brain Res. 2004;1021:41–53. 

[13] Benishin CG, Lee R, Wang LC, Liu HJ. Effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on central cholinergic metabolism. Pharmacology. 1991;42:223–9. 

[14] Yamaguchi Y, Haruta K, Kobayashi H. Effects of ginsenosides on impaired performance induced in the rat by scopolamine in a radial-arm maze. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 1995;20:645–53.

[15] Mook-Jung I, Hong HS, Boo JH, et al. Ginsenoside Rb1 and Rg1 improve spatial learning and increase hippocampal synaptophysin level in mice. J Neurosci Res. 2001;63:509–15. [95] Gomez-Ramirez M., Kelly S.P., Montesi J.L., Foxe J.J. The effects of l-theanine on alpha-band oscillatory brain activity during a visuo-spatial attention task. Brain Topogr. 2009;22:44–51.

[16] Nobre A.C., Rao A., Owen G.N. l-theanine, a natural constituent in tea, and its effect on mental state. Asia Pac. J. Clin. Nutr. 2008;17(Suppl. 1):167–168.

[17] Gomez-Ramirez M., Higgins B.A., Rycroft J.A., Owen G.N., Mahoney J., Shpaner M., Foxe J.J. The deployment of intersensory selective attention: A high-density electrical mapping study of the effects of theanine. Clin. Neuropharmacol. 2007;30:25–38.

[18] Turkozu D., Sanlier N. l-theanine, unique amino acid of tea, and its metabolism, health effects, and safety. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2017;57:1681–1687.[99] Rao T.P., Ozeki M., Juneja L.R. In search of a safe natural sleep aid. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2015;34:436–447.