Rhaponticum

Botanical Name: Rhaponticum carthamoides

Common Name: Marals Root

Rhaponticum A True Anabolic?

By Chris Kilham

For body builders and other athletes, a stronger and more powerful body is the holy grail. To this end, enter Rhaponticum carthamoides, a little-known plant which just may possess the power to turn the sports world on its ear. In Russia and Eastern European countries, rhaponticum is regularly used in conjunction with Siberian ginseng and Rhodiola, to improve all parameters of sports performance. What makes rhaponticum so special is that it appears to be a true anabolic agent, enabling the body to produce more lean muscle mass. This is good news for athletes who might otherwise be lured by steroids.

Also known as Maral Root, Rhaponticum carthamoides is an herbaceous perennial growing between 4,500 -6,000 feet above sea level. The plant can be found growing wild in Southern Siberia, Kazakhstan, the Altai region, and Western Sayani. Rhaponticum is also cultivated throughout Russia and Eastern Europe. Rhaponticum derives its traditional name, Maral Root from the Maral Deer who feed on it. As a traditional remedy, Rhaponticum has been used to allay fatigue, treat impotence, speed recovery from illness, and improve mood in cases of mild depression. Modern research conducted in Russia and Eastern Europe indicates that Maral Root may indeed exert a beneficial effect cases of impotence, improve memory and learning, increase working capacity of tired skeletal muscles, and possess anabolic and adaptogenic properties.

Rhaponticum carthamoides contains a number of antioxidant flavonoids and natural sterols, including a substance called 20-Hydroxyecdysone, which has been shown to increase protein production at the cellular level, and in turn enhance the production of muscle tissue. Research conducted in Russia shows that extracts of Rhaponticum can significantly increase muscle mass, while decreasing body fat in athletes who use it while exercising. Research also shows that Rhaponticum extract can help to increase work capacity and endurance, while reducing mental and physical fatigue.

Additional scientific studies performed on Rhaponticum have shown this herb improves overall physical performance, and shortens recovery time after an intense workout. Observations of the influence of Rhaponticum on the cardiovascular system have shown that its ability to increase physical work capacity is partially due to its ability to improve food supply to the muscles and brain. One study of 60 military cadets using rhaponticum extract documented an improvement in appetite, sleep, and general physical and mental state.

In athletes who use the extracts regularly, rhaponticum demonstrates a marked anabolic effect, and aids the body in the synthesis of protein. The extract, also appears to protect the body from environmental stress. Rhaponticum is prescribed to athletes by Russian sports physicians in order to replenish depleted physical and psychical reserves that become exhausted as a result of hard training. After taking Rhaponticum carthamoides extract, an increase in muscle mass and a decrease in fat tissue has been documented by researchers.

Rhaponticum is available in the US under various brands, standardized to 20-Hydroxyecdysone. Dosage recommendations on products vary one to another, but 20 milligrams of 20-Hydroxyecdysone twice daily, in the morning and afternoon, appears to be in the ballpark.

Editor’s note: One Rhaponticum-based product, Pinnacle AnabolX Plus, is available through GNC.

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