Rhodiola rosea

Common Names

Arctic root

Golden root

Kings Crown

Rose root

Hong Jing Tian

Rose root extract

Rosenroot

SHR-5

Plant Actions & Use

Rhodiola rosea is one of my absolute favorite herbs. In my experience it is one whose effects are readily felt following its consumption. Rhodiola rosea is classified in a group of herbs known as “adaptogens”. These herbs are simply plants that are understood to be non-toxic and marketed as helping the body to resist all stressors whether physical, chemical, or biological. This plant not only has a long standing history of use in Traditional Medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asia, but it also touts a decent quantity of scientific studies done to investigate its properties and how it works. So what is Rhodiola rosea used for? Some common uses are as follows: stimulating the central nervous system, improving depression, enhancing work performance, improving sleep, eliminating fatigue, preventing high altitude sickness, managing withdrawal symptoms, boost sexual desire in men and women, enhancing memory & cognitive performance, boosting athletic or physical endurance and recovery, or working as an overall "strengthener". Additionally Rhodiola rosea may prevent or ameliorate some age-related dysfunction in these neuronal systems. As an antioxidant, Rhodiola rosea may help protect the nervous system from oxidative damage by free radicals. The dual action of cognitive stimulation and emotional calming creates benefits for both immediate cognitive and memory performance and for the long-term preservation of brain functions.

Taxonomic Status

Family Crassulaceae – Stonecrop family

Genus Rhodiola L. – stonecrop P

Species Rhodiola rosea L. – roseroot stonecrop

The genus Rhodiola consists of over 200 species containing a large range of numerous antioxidant compounds. There are still differing opinions about which new species should or should not be included in the genus Rhodiola. The rationale and defining criteria for the boundaries of the genus remain somewhat controversial. This controversy is in itself not necessarily to be unexpected as botanical knowledge and. study grows there will often be a call for revision within our systems of classification. However, in the case of Rhodiola rosea, the taxonomic ambiguity may have unexpected and potentially negative consequences.

Because of significant species-dependent variation in phytochemistry and pharmacology, the use of "Rhodiola" as a general term is inaccurate and misleading. The correct identification of all Rhodiola species according to precise and generally accepted botanical, phytochemical, and genetic taxonomic criteria is not merely an abstract intellectual exercise. It is critical for both scientific and phytopharmacological accuracy, as well as for product labeling for the public.

Only Rhodiola rosea has passed extensive toxicological studies and has been certified safe for both animals and humans.

Plant Origin

Rhodiola grows in dry sandy ground in the cold, mountainous regions of Europe, Asia, and high altitudes in the Arctic. The plant reaches a height of 12 to 30 inches (70cm) and produces yellow blossoms. It is a perennial with a thick rhizome, fragrant when cut.

While Rhodiola as a genus may have originated in the mountainous regions of Southwest China and the Himalayas, numerous botanists have established that various species of the genus Rhodiola naturally display a circumpolar distribution in mountainous regions in the higher latitudes and elevations of the Northern Hemisphere.

While Rhodiola as a genus may have originated in the mountainous regions of Southwest China and the Himalayas,numero botanists have established that various species of the genus Rhodiola naturally display a circumpolar distribution in mountainous regions in the higher latitudes and elevations of the Northern Hemisphere.

Phytochemistry

It is thought that Rhodiola rosea contains 140 or more compounds in the root and rhizome. Salidroside and its aglycone, tyrosol, are two of the major known compounds of Rhodiola rosea. Previously these two compounds were often used as a criterion in evaluating extracts and drugs of Rhodiola rosea. More recently the stimulating and adaptogenic properties of Rhodiola rosea are also being attributed to not only p-tyrosol and salidroside, but to numerous other components of the plant such as rhodioniside, rhodiolin, rosin, rosavin, rosarin, rhodionin, rhodiosin and rosiridin. Rosavin, a cinnamyl alcohol glycosides is the constituent currently selected for standardization of Rhodiola rosea extracts. In depth and conclusive pharmacokinetic data on the other adaptogenic compounds found in Rhodiola rosea is currently unavailable.The investigation of the phytochemistry of R. rosea root has revealed the presence of six distinct groups of chemical compounds

1. Phenylpropanoids: including three cinnamyl alcohol-vicianosides/ cinnamyl alcohol glycosides — rosavin, rosin, and rosarin — that are specific to this species. The term rosavins can be used to include rosavin, rosin, and rosarin.

2. Phenylethanol derivatives: salidroside (rhodioloside), tyrosol.

3. Flavanoids: rhodiolin, rodionin, rodiosin, acetyl rosalgin, tricin; catechins and proanthocyanidins

4. Monoterpernes: rosiridol, rosaridin;

5. Triterpenes: daucosterol, beta-sitosterol;

6. Phenolic acids: chlorogenic and hydroxycinnamic, gallic acids.

Dosage and Extraction

R. rosea extracts used in most human clinical studies were standardized to minimum 3 percent rosavins and 0.8-1 percent salidroside because the naturally occurring ratio of these compounds in R. rosea root is approximately 3:1.

Dosage varies depending upon standardization. For chronic administration, a daily dose of 360-600 mg Rhodiola extract standardized for 1% rosavin, 180-300 mg of an extract standardized for 2% rosavin, or 100-170 mg of an extract standardized for 3.6% rosavin is suggested.

Use of Rhodiola rosea may begin several weeks prior to a period of expected increased physiological, chemical, or biological stress, and use may also continue throughout the duration of the challenging event or activity. When using Rhodiola rosea as a single dose for acute purposes (e.g., for an exam or athletic competition), the suggested dose is three times the dose used for chronic supplementation. Rhodiola rosea has been administered for periods ranging from as little as one day (acute administration) up to four months. Until more specific information is available, a dosing regimen following the established patterns used with other plant adaptogens should be set in place. this includes periodic intervals of abstaining from the consumption of Rhodiola rosea when used chronically.

Side Effects & Precautions

There are few known side effects of Rhodiola rosea and it is thought to be generally safe for most individuals. Clinical feedback indicates, at doses of 1.5-2.0 grams and above, Rhodiola rosea extract standardized for 2% rosavin might cause some individuals to experience an increase in irritability and insomnia within several days. Evidence on the safety and appropriateness of Rhodiola rosea supplementation during pregnancy and lactation is currently unavailable.

Stay tuned for the next Rhodiola Articles

• Growing Rhodiola Rosea

• Rhodiola Rosea- Phytochemistry & Understanding Mechanisms of Action

• Medicine Making with Rhodiola Rosea- How to