Chemistry and Biological Activities of Selected Popular Chinese Herbs in the US Market-3 - 農業知識入口網

III. Rhodiola rosea (Golden root, Roseroot, Hong Jing Tian)

The genus of Rhodiola consists of over 200 species, most found in Asia, and many used in traditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM, Rhodiola is used as a general tonic in the treatment and invigoration of the human body. In the old traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopoeias such as the “Ben Cao”, Rhodiola was documented to prolong human life, to enhance the Qi in human body and keep human’s body light. In the US market, the best-known Rhodiola species is Rhodiola rosea L., also known as golden root or roseroot. Rhodiola rosea grows primarily in dry sandy ground at high altitudes in the Arctic areas of Europe and Asia. The plant is perennial with a thick rhizome, which is used as the herbal drug. Rhodiola was first introduced into the US market by Russians as extracts of the Rhodiola. rosea root had been long researched and found to contain powerful adaptogens in Russia. In the US, Rhodiola is marketed and sold as a product to improve mental health, and adaptogenic, anti-stress and cardioprotective agents. Rhodiola is sold as single herbal extract though it can be found combined with other well known adaptotenic herbs such as ginseng and Siberian ginseng.