We could summarize and define Rhodiola rosea as a strange plant. One of those considered adaptogens or containing natural substances considered rare. First of all, the first thing we would have to say is that it has long captured our interest and now it has our attention.
We are going to know a little about how this plant, Rhodiola rosea , of which so little is known , develops .
The taxonomy of this plant is quite well defined. It belongs to the crassulaceae family , a very common group that includes many cacti and succulents used to hot or extreme environments.
However, there is not much more information, other than the attributions made to Rhodiola rosea regarding its potential as a medicinal plant.
It usually grows in steep environments, such as in mountainous networks such as the Alps, Pyrenees, high areas of the British Isles, Iceland, etc.
It has no problem with growing in cold environments , as you will have seen from the areas where it is used to growing.
And here the first doubt and curiosity. Normally, many medicinal and aromatic plants contain essential oils that are activated or improve their characteristics in hot, dry and practically extreme environments.
This is the case of many of the species that we are used to seeing growing spontaneously in the Mediterranean, such as rosemary, lavender, caraway, etc.
+ Growing rosemary in the garden
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MEDICINAL PROPERTIES ATTRIBUTED TO RHODIOLA ROSEA
As we have already said, Rhodiola rosea is a plant that is still under investigation. The main attention and study on this plant is being carried out in relation to its medicinal potential.
The main scientific milestones obtained on this plant, many of them of Russian origin, are related to the potential of Rhodiola rosea on the nervous system. Reduce mental fatigue, improve immune response (such as phytoalexins in plants), increase attention.
Therefore, one area of this research is based on replacing current stimulant substances with something more natural and with fewer side effects. Something very interesting.
ACTIVE COMPONENTS IN RHODIOLA ROSEA
We are going to number some of the extracts and active components found in this curious plant:
- Salidrosides . A compound believed to be responsible for antidepressant and anxiolytic action. To this day it is only recognized or stands out above all in Rhodiola rosea.
- Rosavinas. Of which are rosavina, rosarina and rosina. They are bioactive compounds related to antioxidant properties and anti-fatigue effect.
What must be borne in mind is that the beneficial results have not yet been reliably demonstrated, but something interesting is in the process of being achieved, as a food supplement.
RHODIOLA ROSEA AS SUPPLEMENTS AND ENCAPSULATES
Today, we can find on the market many capsules related to Rhodiola rosea root extracts , which are offered as nervous system enhancers, anti-fatigue and anti-repellent. At least as an aid. What is known is that currently there have been no negative side effects.
It must be said that Rhodiola rosea is not a plant whose properties are being known now. At this time the potential benefits of the plant are beginning to be broken down, but it has been used for centuries , especially in cold areas of Russia, as a tonic and to overcome the harsh winter cold.
In fact, in such cold areas, Rhodiola rosea is known as Arctic root or gold root .