Rhodiola Root, Cut and Sifted, Certified Organic

CHINA. Rhodiola crenulata Root, Cut and Sifted, Certified Organic

Common names: Golden Root, Roseroot, King’s Crown, Orpin Rose, Aaron’s Rod, Arctic Root, Stonecrop, Hong Jing Tian

Family: Crassulaceae

Rhodiola is a perennial flowering plant that grows in the far northern reaches of Europe, North America, and Asia. It is found in the wild in mountainous areas and on sea cliffs. The roots and bitter leaves can be eaten, either raw or cooked, and Rhodiola extract is sometimes used to flavor vodka. The Inupiat and Nunivak tribes also used Rhodiola flowers as a remedy for abdominal pain and tuberculosis.

Scandinavian and Russian people have long valued Rhodiola Root as an adaptogen, helpful for coping with the frigid climate and difficult life. It is recognized in Chinese medicine as a cooling herb, prescribed for heat syndromes such as high blood pressure, headaches with flushing and anger, anxiety, and insomnia.

Rhodiola has been given to bolster immunity and fight infections; to restore memory, cognitive function, and libido; to optimize blood circulation, respiratory health, and protect the liver and digestive system. Its active components include flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenes, and polysaccharides.

Recent literature reviews focus on the therapeutic uses of root and its extracts. One that assessed a number of animal, and human studies on Rhodiola as a possible antidepressant found overall favorable results, and noted a number of different beneficial actions affecting neurotransmitters and neuroendocrine chemistry that regulates mood. Another confirmed its traditional role as an adaptogen, reducing inflammation, countering the effects of stress and aging, and boosting immunity, and highlighted its value for DNA repair and cancer prevention. A third underlined its antioxidant action as a promising approach for treating Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Many more studies are worth mentioning here, demonstrating that Rhodiola extracts can improve memory and learning; reduce the effects of stress, chronic fatigue, and burnout symptoms; alleviate inflammatory damage in osteoarthritis; promote neuroplasticity; regulate serum lipids and fight atherosclerosis; enhance anaerobic exercise performance; prevent liver damage from toxic chemicals; inhibit Ebola virus infection; etc.

Adaptogens, by definition, are nontoxic, and usually well-tolerated by most people. Reports from herbalists suggest that finding an optimal dosage for a particular individual is even more essential than usual for using this plant successfully. Lower doses are said to be more stimulating, and higher levels more sedating. Rhodiola is probably best avoided in people with manic tendencies.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.