Educational Thursday's: The golden root rhodiola

The Golden root, Rhodiola rosea (Saxifragales - Crassulaceae) is also known as Rose root, Roseroot, Aaron’s rod, Arctic root, King’s crown, Lignum rhodium, and Orpin rose.

It is a succulent plant which grows in cold regions such as the Arctic, the mountains of Central Asian, parts of eastern North America and mountainous parts of Europe. In Iceland it can be found almost everywhere except for some desert regions north of the Vatnajökull. It can not survive where sheep graze.

Rhodiola rosea is a popular plant in traditional medical systems in Eastern Europe and Asian.This plant has been categorized as an adaptogen by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to increase resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors.

Its claimed benefits include antidepressant, anticancer, cardioprotective, and central nervous system enhancement. Research also indicates great utility in asthenic conditions (decline in work performance, sleep difficulties, poor appetite, irritability, hypertension, headaches, and fatigue) developing subsequent to intense physical or intellectual strain [source].