Description

Synonyms: pink rhodiola, pink root, Tibetan ginseng, Siberian ginseng.

Pink rhodiola is a perennial plant from the family of the thick-rooted plants. It is called golden root because the roots have a noble bronze color with a pearly sheen. When cut, the root is yellow. It has another popular name – pink root. The roots of rhodiola are thick, with horizontal, thin additional roots. The plant usually has a dozen stems up to 40 cm high covered with ovoid, light green leaves. The plant blooms in mid-summer with yellow flowers, sometimes with a green tint. The flowers are collected in inflorescences at the top of the stems. Rhodiola can also be recognized by its aroma reminiscent of rose oil. The places where rhodiola grows are in areas with a temperate climate, as well as in cool mountainous areas. The plant prefers soils with good moisture, can grow in shady places, often near mountain rivers. It is found in the North American continent, the British Isles, the Carpathians, the Pyrenees, and also in the Alps. In Russia, it is widespread in the Far East, in Siberia, the Altai and Ural mountains, and also in the Polar Regions. In many regions of Russia, Rhodiola rosea is listed in the Red Book.

Preparation and storage – for medicinal purposes, the underground part is used – roots and rhizomes. The collection season is from August to September, after flowering has finished and the fruits ripen. No less than 3-4 year old plants are suitable for collection. Younger ones are unsuitable. The roots are dug out of the soil, carefully cleaned and washed in running water. Then the raw material is cut into pieces no more than 5 cm long and dried in dryers at a temperature of about 50 ° C. Properly dried roots are pale pink when broken. The roots are stored in a dry and dark place, in rooms with good ventilation. The plant retains its medicinal properties for 3 years.

History of use

Rhodiola rosea has been used for treatment for 2000 years. The first written information is found in the works of the famous physician Dioscurides. Rhodiola rosea was used for medicinal purposes on different continents – Ancient Greece, Ancient China and by the Vikings. Chinese emperors bought the root at a high price. It was an expensive cargo for smugglers. Medicinal roots were highly valued – this is also one of the reasons why it is called “golden”. In Tibetan medicine, rhodiola is used for heart and vascular diseases, for diseases of the stomach and abdomen. Mongolian doctors use the golden root for fractures, in the treatment of fever (malaria) and tuberculosis. Traditional medicine uses extracts and infusions (teas) from the golden root for headaches, menstrual disorders, diarrhea, and also as a general strengthening and tonic for many diseases. Rhodiola remedies are useful for diabetes, liver damage, reduced potency, stomach problems and diseases of the nervous system. Externally, it is used for compresses for rashes, skin inflammation in conjunctivitis and periodontal disease. There are many legends in the history of the use of the golden root. Altai legends say that the one who finds (seeks) the golden root will enjoy health and success until the end of his days, will live up to 200 years. The golden root together with the antlers of the deer is considered a worthy gift for a groom. Along with longevity, it is attributed the properties of healing, for many different ailments, to stimulate vitality, strengthen health and increase working capacity. The secret of this plant, according to legend, the Altai people hid the roots for a long time from foreigners. To reveal this secret, botanists managed to conduct scientific expeditions. At the end of the second half of the 20th century, they became acquainted with the pink rhodiola and began research by doctors and biologists. The chemical composition was studied and the healing effects on the human body were confirmed. It turned out that the pink rhodiola, thanks to the glycoside, salidroside contained in it, is not inferior in its tonic properties to ginseng. This gave impetus and the beginning of large-scale collections of the plant, which led to the recognition of the pink rhodiola as an endangered species in many regions and its inclusion in the Red Book. Meeting the herb in the wild has become difficult. So far, no industrial plantations of rhodiola have been created, but in some cases it is restored as an ornamental plant in rock gardens, due to the unpretentiousness of the herb. Now, Rhodiola rosea is used not only in medicine, but also in cosmetics. Extracts are used as anti-aging agents (improve metabolism), have a good effect on aging skin, increase skin tone and elasticity, and smooth out wrinkles. It is recommended for athletes as a natural stimulant that increases endurance and exhibits anabolic activity. It is known that the above-ground part of the plant is edible and can be added to salads.

Chemical composition – Rhodiola rosea is rich in glycosides, which have a positive effect on cardiac activity, calm the nervous system and have a diuretic effect. The flavonoids in the composition of the golden root are beneficial for the cardiovascular system, strengthen the walls of the vessels and give them elasticity, normalize blood pressure and pulse. Tannins have antibacterial properties and have a positive effect on the gastrointestinal tract, as well as on wound healing. Anthraquinones play an important role in strengthening immunity. Coumarins fight tumors and are anticoagulants. The organic acids in the composition of rhodiola have valuable healing properties. Oxalic acid stimulates the work of the stomach and stimulates the work of the entire gastrointestinal tract. Malic acid transfers digestive processes to the abdomen and accelerates metabolism, and succinic acid helps reduce cholesterol. Citric acid plays an important role in the formation of new cells, increases the body’s immune forces. Rhodiola rosea is rich in essential oils, which have a wide range of beneficial effects, such as reducing inflammation, fighting bacteria and microbes. It helps to restore tissues, has a positive effect on the nervous system, has analgesic and immunomodulatory properties. The composition of the golden root also includes phenols, terpenoids, hydrocarbons, stearins and lipids. Alkaloids, a rich set of trace elements, including manganese, zinc, copper, etc.

Use in medicine – Rhodiola has the fame of an adaptogen, in terms of its effect it is not inferior to ginseng. It is known that rhodiola-based products have a strong stimulating effect, improve the physical and mental potential of a person. Taking golden root increases working capacity, increases the memory qualities of the brain, as well as processing information, eliminates fatigue. Rhodiola restores proper metabolism, increases immunity and adapts the body to the complex conditions of stressful situations. It balances the nervous system, normalizes the balance of excitement and inhibition, as a result of which it affects various neuroses, improves appetite. In depressive states, rhodiola can serve as an antidepressant, helps with anxiety and fatigue, relieves headaches and drowsiness. Stimulating and adaptogenic effect of the golden root helps to shorten the recovery time from illness. Rhodiola preparations are used to treat hypotension (low blood pressure), vegetative-vascular dystonia and anemic manifestations (anemia). The effect is favorable in joint diseases and diabetes mellitus. Rhodiola decoctions are used externally for healing wounds and damaged skin, for rashes and for washing the eyes with conjunctivitis, as well as for soothing sore throats and toothaches. Rhodiola preparations are used in the treatment of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the stomach and intestines, and the liver. With the help of this plant, fever and various inflammatory processes can be cured and it soothes the healing of broken bones, slows down tumor processes. In addition, the golden root is known for its antitoxic effect, it is used in the adaptation of drug and alcohol addiction. It has a beneficial effect in the treatment of the genitourinary system in women and men. It is used simultaneously with the therapy of impotence and menopause, oligospermia, the menstrual cycle, inflammatory processes in the ovaries, polycystic ovary syndrome, mastopathy. In case of disorders in the work of the endocrine system, the pink rhodiola helps to normalize the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, reduces blood sugar. In dermatology and cosmetics, rhodiola is recognized as a remedy against skin aging, strengthens the protective function of the epidermis, restores damaged skin, moisturizes and nourishes it.

Treatment of diseases

The following diseases are treated with golden root: sarcoidosis, hypotension, uterine bleeding, prostatitis, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, neuroses, etc.

Taking golden root is contraindicated in: increased nervous excitability, fever, hypertension. In headache, gout, anemia, liver diseases, scurvy, neurasthenia, increased fatigue, decreased working capacity, vegetative-vascular disorders, diseases of the nervous system, impotence, irregular cycle, amenorrhea.