Rhodiola, Rose root

Rosewort
Hong Jing Tian  红景天  (TCM)
Sro lo dmar po   སྲོ་ལོ་དམར་པོ  (Tibet)
Picture Picture
Krauterbuch, Lonitzer, 1578

 New Kreuterbuch, Matthiolus, 1563
Picture Seboth & Graf, Die Alpenpflanzen nach der Natur gemalt, 1839

Botanical name:


Rhodiola rosea (syn. Sedum roseum, S. rhodiola)
In Tibetan Medicine, R. algida, R. crenulata (syn. R euryphylla), R. quadrifida (syn. Sedum quadrifolium, Chamaerhodiola quadrifolia), R. kirilowii, R. juparensis, R. sachalinensis, and R. himalense (syn. Sedum himalense, S. quadrifidum var. himalense) have also been listed as sources.
Tibetan Medicine has several varieties of Sro Lo:
  1. Sro Lo dmar po: Rhodiola spp.
  2. Sro Lo dkar po: Pegaeophyton scapiflorum
  3. Sro Lo smug po: Solms-Laubachia eurycarpa

Parts used:


Root

Temperature & Taste:


Cool, dry. Sweet, Bitter

Classification:


N. Tonics

Uses:


1. Tonify Qi of the Lung and Spleen (Tibetan, Western):
-Fatigue, shortness of Breath, Asthma (TCM)
-chronic diseases and in convalescence.
-regarded as important (in compound) for Altitude Sickness in China and Tibet, but the herb singly has not shown these effects in trials.
-enhances strength and vigor.
-aids development of children (Tibetan)
-adjunct in Cancer treatment. (Modern)
    
2. Nourishes the Heart, Calm the Spirit:
-increases mental clarity and alertness, cognitive function, performance, and memory
-Insomnia, dream-disturbed sleep (Tibet)
-good for students and for those under mental stress.
-useful for some psychiatric and neurological disorders.

3. Moves the Blood Clears Stasis:
-Chest constriction, Heart pain (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
-Apoplexy (TCM)
-promotes Menstruation (West)

4. Clears Lung Heat (Tibetan):
-Cough, Asthma, Pneumonia, Tuberculosis, Hemoptysis
-‘Lung Fever’; Colds
   
5. Strengthen Kidney, Benefit Yang:
-Lower Back Pain, Impotence.
-Arthritic disorders.
   
6. Clears Heat, Resolve Toxin:
-Fever and poisoning
-Skin diseases in Tibetan Medicine.

7. Externally:
-chewed to sweeten the breath
–Dioscorides described its use being bruised and applied to the head for Headaches.
-topically for Malignant Ulcers by Scottish highlanders.


Dose:


Decoction: 3–6 grams
Powder: 1–3 grams

Comment:


1. Rhodiola species are diffused from the Alps of Europe through to the Himalayas. Some species are also found in North America. The species used in both East and West are noted for their pinkish or pale red roots which have a distinct Rose aroma. They appear to have similar functions and uses.
2. Modern research has demonstrated both Eastern and western varieties to have adaptogenic and tonic effects, to increase endurance and physical performance.
3. In Tibetan Medicine, it is chiefly used for Lung complaints including Cough, Asthma, shortness of Breath, and is the basis for numerous medicines used for altitude sickness. It is also regarded as promoting strength and vitality.

Substitute:


Pagaeophyton scapiflorum is the White variety of Sro lo in Tibetan Medicine (Sro lo dkar po), which is used similarly.

Main Combinations:


1. Cough and Lung complaints:
i. Rhodiola is often combined with Licorice
ii. Rhodiola with Dracocephalum Pri yang ku
iii. Lung Heat Cough, Hemoptysis, Chest Pain, Pneumonia, Geranium pratense with Rhodiola, Lacca and Licorice (Rhodiola 4 Decoction, Tibetan Medicine)
iv. Rhodiola, Triphala, Sandalwood, Tabasheer, Costus, Aloeswood, Licorice (as in Gentiana algida 15 of Tibetan Medicine)
v. Cough with yellow phlegm or phlegm with pus, Hemoptysis, Breathlessness, chronic Lung infection, Rhodiola with Sandalwood, Tabasheer, Safflower, Chebula, Inula, Raisins and Licorice (as in Principle 25 of Tibetan Medicine)
vi. Heat-type Cough, Pneumonia in children, Rhodiola with Aconitum naviculare, Tabasheer, Safflower, Sandalwood, Picrorhiza, Licorice, Bezoar
2. Fever from Influenza, chronic Cough with expectoration of phlegm, Rhodiola with Rubus Kanda ka ri, Tinospora, Triphala, Costus, Sandalwood
3. Pneumonia:
i. Rhodiola, Schisandra, Eleutherococcus (improved recovery time in clinical tests)
ii. Rhodiola with Aconite leaf, Calcite, Safflower, Licorice, White Sandalwood (Tibetan)
4. Lung deficiency Chronic Cough or Wheezing:
i. Rhodiola, Astragalus Huang Qi, Ginseng,
ii. Rhodiola with Bergenia Yan Bai Cai, Licorice
iii. Rhodiola with Dactylorhiza, Licorice
iv. Rhodiola, Elecampane, Licorice, Raisin, Sweet Almond
v. Rhodiola, Saffron
vi. Rhodiola, Cordyceps, Snow Lotus Xue Lian
5. Altitude Sickness:
i. Rhodiola, Snow Lotus Xue Lian
ii. Rhodiola, Ginseng, Dang Gui, Snow Lotus Xue Lian
iii. Rhodila, Emblic Myrobalan, Sea Buckthorn, Ginger (this is available as a patent)
iv. Rhodiola, Cordyceps, Snow Lotus Xue Lian
6. Amenorrhea:
i. Rhodiola with Pennyroyal decocted in water and wine (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
ii. Rhodiola with Saxifrage (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
iii. Rhodiola with Fennel seed, Rosemary, Pennyroyal, Cinnamon
7. Bleeding, Rhodiola, Emblic Myrobalan, Madder, Shilajit, Lacca, Safflower (as in Bezoar 13 of Tibetan Medicine)
8. Apoplexy, Parslysis, Rhodiola with Clove in wine (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
9. Depression, Rhodiola and Saffron (this combination has been studied)

Major Formula:


Rhodiola 4 Decoction (Sro lo bzhi thang) (Tibetan)
Bezoar 13 (Gi wan 13) (Tibetan)
Bright Red Decoction (Dmar chen thang) (Tibetan)
Gentiana algida 15 (Spang rgyan dkar po 15) (Tibetan)
Life Holding Jewel (Srog ‘dzin nor bu) (Tibetan)
Principle 25 (Gtso bo nyer lnga) (Tibetan)

Cautions:


Generally Safe and well tolerated.

Main Preparations used:



GENERAL / REVIEW:
–Rosenroot (Rhodiola rosea): traditional use, chemical composition, pharmacology and clinical efficacy.
–Rhodiola species: A comprehensive review of traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and clinical study.
–Salidroside: A review of its recent advances in synthetic pathways and pharmacological properties.

ANTIBACTERIAL:
–Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) Dry Extracts.
–Phytochemical, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Rhodiola crenulata.

ANTI-VIRAL:
–Insights into the direct anti-influenza virus mode of action of Rhodiola rosea.

COVID-19:
–Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis on mechanisms of Tibetan Hongjingtian (Rhodiola crenulata) in the treatment of COVID-19.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY:
–Anti-inflammatory effects of Rhodiola rosea L.: A review.
–Phytochemical profile and anti-inflammatory activity of a commercially available Rhodiola rosea root extract.
–Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of Rhodiola rosea L. extract in rats.

ANTIOXIDANT:
–Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Roseroot (Rhodiola rosea L.) Dry Extracts.
–Antioxidative Effects of Rhodiola Genus: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Mechanisms against the Diseases.
–Phytochemical Profiles, Antioxidant Activity and Antiproliferative Mechanism of Rhodiola rosea L. Phenolic Extract.
–Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of purified Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides.
–Phytochemical, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Activity Evaluation of Rhodiola crenulata.

IMMUNOMODULATORY:
–Immunmodulatory and Antiproliferative Properties of Rhodiola Species.

FATIGUE /CHRONIC FATIGUE:
–Rhodiola rosea for physical and mental fatigue: a systematic review.
–Rhodiola rosea in Subjects with Prolonged or Chronic Fatigue Symptoms: Results of an Open-Label Clinical Trial.
–A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study of the standardised extract shr-5 of the roots of Rhodiola rosea in the treatment of subjects with stress-related fatigue.
–Rhodiola rosea for mental and physical fatigue in nursing students: a randomized controlled trial.

HYPOXIA / ALTITUDE SICKNESS:
–Rhodiola crenulata attenuates apoptosis and mitochondrial energy metabolism disorder in rats with hypobaric hypoxia-induced brain injury by regulating the HIF-1α/microRNA 210/ISCU1/2(COX10) signaling pathway.
–Rhodiola crenulata extract for prevention of acute mountain sickness: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

CARDIOVASCULAR
–Rhodiola rosea: A Therapeutic Candidate on Cardiovascular Diseases.
–Rhodiola pre-conditioning reduces exhaustive exercise-induced myocardial injury of insulin resistant mice.
–The efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine, Rhodiola formulation in treating ischemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
–The efficacy and safety of Rhodiola formulation for the treatment of ischemic heart disease: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.
–Investigating the Effects and Mechanism of Rhodiola Rosea Injection on Cardiac Function in Rats with Chronic Heart Failure.

ANGINA PECTORIS:
–[A system review of randomized controlled trials on treating chronic stable angina by rhodiola].

APLASTIC ANEMIA:
–Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides promote the proliferation of bone marrow haematopoietic progenitor cells and stromal cells in mice with aplastic anaemia.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE:
–Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of purified Rhodiola rosea polysaccharides.

NEUROPROTECTION:
–Rhodiola rosea and salidroside commonly induce hormesis, with particular focus on longevity and neuroprotection.
–Neuroprotective Effects of Rhodiola Sacra on Transient Global Cerebral Ischemia Through Activating AMPK/Nrf2 Pathway in Rats.

MEMORY
–Beneficial effect of commercial Rhodiola extract in rats with scopolamine-induced memory impairment on active avoidance.
STRESS
–The Effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. Preparations in Alleviating Various Aspects of Life-Stress Symptoms and Stress-Induced Conditions-Encouraging Clinical Evidence.
–The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms.
–Stress management and the role of Rhodiola rosea: a review.
–Effect of a Combination of Magnesium, B Vitamins, Rhodiola, and Green Tea (L-Theanine) on Chronically Stressed Healthy Individuals-A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study.
–The Clinical Efficacy of Rhodiola rosea L. in Managing Stress-Induced Conditions.
–Rhodiola rosea L. extract reduces stress- and CRF-induced anorexia in rats.

DEPRESSION:
–Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
–Rhodiola rosea L. as a putative botanical antidepressant.
–Rhodiola rosea versus sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.
–Antidepressants effects of Rhodiola capsule combined with sertraline for major depressive disorder: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.

COGNITION
–The Effects of Rhodiola rosea L. Extract on Anxiety, Stress, Cognition and Other Mood Symptoms.

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE:
–Rhodiola rosea L. and Alzheimer’s Disease: From Farm to Pharmacy.
–Rhodiola crenulata protects against Alzheimer’s disease in rats: A brain lipidomics study by Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry coupled with high-performance reversed-phase liquid chromatography and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography.

ANTI-PSYCHOTIC:
–Rhodiola rosea root extract has antipsychotic-like effects in rodent models of sensorimotor gating.

PERFORMANCE ENHANCING:
–Rhodiola rosea supplementation on sports performance: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
–Effects of Short-Term Golden Root Extract (Rhodiola rosea) Supplementation on Resistance Exercise Performance.
–Acute Rhodiola rosea intake can improve endurance exercise performance.

CHRONIC DISEASE:
–Phenolic Compounds of Rhodiola rosea L. as the Potential Alternative Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases.

LONGEVITY:
–Rhodiola rosea and salidroside commonly induce hormesis, with particular focus on longevity and neuroprotection.
–Rhodiola rosea extends lifespan and improves stress tolerance in silkworm, Bombyx mori.

ANTIAGEING:
–Rhodiola: a promising anti-aging Chinese herb.
–Anti-senescence effects of Rhodiola crenulate extracts on LO2 cells and bioactive compounds.

ANTI-HYPOTHYROID:
–Antihypothyroid Effect of Salidroside.

METABOLIC DISORDERS:
–Rhodiola and salidroside in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

DIABETES:
–Beneficial Effects of Rhodiola and Salidroside in Diabetes: Potential Role of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase.
–Hypoglycemic effects of Rhodiola crenulata (HK. f. et. Thoms) H. Ohba in vitro and in vivo and its ingredient identification by UPLC-triple-TOF/MS.

MENOPAUSE:
–Pause menopause with Rhodiola rosea, a natural selective estrogen receptor modulator.

RADIOPROTECTIVE:
–The Protective Effect of Rosavin from Rhodiola rosea on Radiation-Induced Intestinal Injury.

ANTIPROLIFERATIVE:
–Immunmodulatory and Antiproliferative Properties of Rhodiola Species.
–Phytochemical Profiles, Antioxidant Activity and Antiproliferative Mechanism of Rhodiola rosea L. Phenolic Extract.

ANTI-CANCER:
–Phytochemical profile, in vitro bioaccessibility, and anticancer potential of golden root (Rhodiola rosea L.) extracts.
–Antineoplastic effects of Rhodiola crenulata treatment on B16-F10 melanoma.
–Rhodiola crenulata induces death and inhibits growth of breast cancer cell lines.