Rhodiola rosea
Common name: Rhodiola, Arctic root, Golden root, Rose root, Aaron’s rod, orpin rose, Russian, rhodiola
Botanical name: Rhodiola rosea
Family: Crassulaceae (Orpine family), the stonecrop family
Habitat/Growing Condition: Hardy perennial to zones 1-7. Native to the subarctic northern hemisphere. When grown in zones 1-3 the plant requires full sun. In zones 4-7, they may require part shade. Rhodiola needs shelter from strong sun and wind. They can handle many different soil types but do best in deep, well draining soil with a 6-7 pH. Rhodiola is a succulent and is drought tolerant but it does enjoy regular (though light) watering.
Parts Used/Harvesting Info: Roots and rhizome. When harvesting, its constituents are at their peak around 5 years. The roots can be harvested in the fall when the plant is 3-5 years old. 2.5 pounds of the fresh root will dry down to 1 pound.
Constituents: Rosavin, salidroside, rosin, rosarin, tyrosol
Energetics: cooling, drying and constricting
Pertinent Info: Succulent, dioecious perennial, flowers yellow or red. Flowers July-August. Height of 18 inches. It lives up to 75 years in the wild. It was used by Russian athletes and cosmonauts to increase energy.
Key Actions: Adaptogen, antioxidant, antimutagen, neuroprotective, antidepressive, and astringent.
Systems Affected: Nervous system, cardiovascular, Immune system
Uses: Rhodioa has been used traditionally in many cultures, including China, Tibet, Russia, Central Asia and Scandinavia, for thousands of years. A bouquet of Rhodiola roots was given to couples prior to marriage in mountain villages in Russia. This was meant to be a sign of good health and to enhance fertility. Mongolian doctors prescribed it for tuberculosis and cancer. It was traded by Siberians for fruit, wine, garlic and honey. In Ancient China, emperors sent expeditions to Siberia to return with these “Golden roots” to use for medicinal purposes.Traditionally, Rhodiola was used to treat altitude sickness, and dizziness. Siberians used it as a tea to promote long lives. Vikings and Sherpa used it to enhance their strength and endurance. It was named by Linnaeus, a Swedish botanist, in 1725. He prescribed it for headaches and hysteria. It has since become very popular in Russia. Rhodiola is used today to fight fatigue and exhaustion related to stress. This can be either from environmental or emotional stress, sleep deprivation, physical exertion or overworking. Daily use can improve mental focus, memory, physical endurance, energy productivity, sexual potency, thyroid and adrenal production. It is cardioprotective and normalizes the heart rate immediately after intense exercise. It protects the heart from stress and arrhythmias. It increases blood supply to the muscles and the brain, and also increases protein synthesis, an anabolic effect. Rhodiola extract has also been shown to enhance immunity.
Contraindication: It is a very astringent and drying herb so it isn’t recommended to take as a single herb. It is best used along with other adaptogens in a mixed formula and only being 10-20% of the formula overall. No known contraindications if taken within the dosage limit. It does not require a high dose to be effective.
Preparation: Tincture: Dried herb (1:5, 50% alcohol); ½ tsp 3x day. Capsule: 1,000-2,000 mg, 3x day.
References: Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Thomas Easley and Steven Horne, p 295. Growing Plant Medicine, Vol 2, Richo and Sena Cech, p 157. Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism, Donald R Yance, p 551-560.
Personal Experiences: When growing Rhodiola, we have found it is prone to heaving out of the ground, especially when fall planted. Check your plants occasionally to ensure they are still nestled in the ground.