Golden Root (Rhodiola Rosea, Siberian Ginseng)

The perennial plant Rhodiola rosea is also called golden root or rose root. Another name for this herbaceous plant is also known, based on its effect on the body - Siberian ginseng. This plant belongs to the Crassulaceae family, the genus Rhodiola. It is listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

• This dioecious perennial has a powerful rhizome - a large horizontal root, supplemented by thin adnexal.
• There are often several stems at the golden root - up to fifteen pieces, plants with a single stem are very rare. They are not branched, but erect. Their height is up to 50 centimeters.
• Oblong leaflets, arranged alternately on the stems, have an elliptical or egg-like shape, but they can also be pointed. Their edges can be either solid or serrated in the upper parts.
• Multi-flowered inflorescences are yellow, the fruit is greenish.

In addition to Rhodiola, the pink genus Rhodiola also includes other species:

• Rhodiola pinnatifida. It differs by a rather narrow area of ​​growth (Tyva, Khamar-Daban, Eastern Sayan). The rhizome of this species weighs an average of 10 grams, less often reaches a weight of 100 grams.
• Rhodiola four-membered. This species is also called the red brush, because its flowers are red and the shape is similar to brushes. This type of golden root is also used in medicine.It is quite rare, grows in moderately cold conditions of a humid climate at high altitude (at least 3 thousand meters). In the Russian Federation, it can be found in Altai.

Golden root grows in temperate and cold climates. This plant can be found in the Pyrenees, the Carpathians, the Alps, the Urals, the mountains of Siberia, Altai, North America, Ireland, the Far East and other places.

Siberian ginseng often grows in mountainous areas - at an altitude of 1.5-2.7 thousand meters above sea level. The plant loves moisture, so it is often found in meadows, in river or stream valleys, on the banks of lakes.

Rhizomes can be harvested 3-4 years after planting. Harvesting is carried out in the second half of summer (at the end of July and in August) and in the first weeks of September.

The rhizomes are dug up, the earth is removed from them, washed under running water, and then dried in the shade a little. Then they are cut into small pieces and placed in a dryer, where they are kept at + 50 + 60 degrees. In the sun, the golden root should not be dried. You can store harvested raw materials for up to 3 years.

• The taste of the rhizome is astringent and bitter.
• The aroma of the fresh root of the plant resembles the smell of rose flowers.
• There is a popular belief in Altai that promises a person who has found a golden root, health, happiness and a long life.
• The plant got its name due to the color of the rhizome. It looks like bronze or antique gilding.
• Distinguishing the root of Siberian ginseng from others is quite easy - cutting off the outer layer, you will see a lemon-yellow core, and if you smell a freshly broken root, you will smell the aroma of roses.

underground part plants include approximately 140 different substances.

The roots of Siberian ginseng contain:

• organic acids
• phenols
• essential oils
• aromatic substances
• flavonoids and terpenoids
• steroids
• tannins
• alkaloids
• silver, manganese, copper, zinc and other trace elements
• carbohydrates, etc.

Aboveground part rich in phenols, tannins, flavonoids, organic and phenolcarboxylic acids, coumarins.

The effect of the golden root on the body has a significant therapeutic spectrum:

• The plant has low toxicity.
• With the right dosage and proper application, it has no side effects.
• To the golden root does not develop addiction.

The use of the golden root should be only in the recommended doses.

The following negative effects are possible:

• irritability
• panic
• insomnia
• tachycardia
• strong arousal
• reduced performance

The main contraindications are high blood pressure and individual intolerance to the golden root. The plant also cannot be used in childhood (under 12 years old), and pregnant and lactating women should be careful with preparations from this herb.

The essential oil found in the golden root contains chemicals such as aliphatic alcohols (about 37%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (about 25%) and monoterpene alcohols (23%).

Note that the chemical composition of this aromatic oil will be different for Rhodiola, which grows in different countries. Thus, the Bulgarian plant mainly contains myrtenol and geraniol, the Indian plant contains phenylethyl alcohol, and the Chinese plant contains octanol and geraniol.

Rhodiola, which grows in Russia, contains several times more essential oils than in a plant from other countries.

Golden root essential oil has the following effects:

• antiseptic and bactericidal action;
• wound healing;
• anesthesia;
• immunomodulatory effect;
• calming effect;
• reducing inflammation.

• Salads are made from the leaves and shoots of the golden root.
• The roots are used to make compotes, jelly, decoctions and other diet drinks.
• Healthy sweet dishes are also prepared from rhizomes - jam, marshmallow, sweets. They are especially valuable in winter, as well as on long trips.
• Tea is also brewed from the golden root.
• Rhodiola is enriched with various herbal preparations.

Finely chop young leaves and shoots (50 grams), mix with grated carrots (60 grams), season with sour cream (20 grams) and sprinkle with a few chopped walnuts. Salad according to this recipe is recommended during the recovery period, to improve health, as well as for fatigue.

You can learn more about the properties of Rhodiola rosea from the video.

The liquid extract of this plant is known as a stimulant. It is prescribed for hypotension, asthenia, neurasthenia, VVD, increased fatigue, as well as for intense sports activity.

Other actions of golden root extract:

• a slight decrease in sugar levels;
• slowing down the processes of atherosclerosis;
• normalizes the work of the adrenal cortex and thyroid gland;
• strengthens the immune system;
• useful for anemia;
• positively affects the functioning of the liver.

You can also take golden root extract for healthy people who want to increase their efficiency. This drug has low toxicity and usually has no side effects. Its usual dosage is 5-10 drops up to 3 times a day. The extract is taken before meals - for 15-30 minutes. Usually it is used in a course of 10-20 days, taking breaks every 5 days.

Siberian ginseng is also used in cosmetology due to its positive effect on aging and sensitive skin. The plant is often added to the formulation of anti-wrinkle creams.

For medical purposes, the golden root, in addition to the extract, is also used as:

• External agent for the preparation of ointments, compresses, lotions, tinctures. It is used for skin diseases, rashes, wounds, cuts, for rinsing. To make an infusion, 10 g of the root is poured with boiling water (200 ml), after which it is infused for 4 hours.
• Tea - crushed root (teaspoon) is poured with a liter of water, boiled for about 10 minutes, and after half an hour of infusion, they drink with the addition of honey or sugar up to 3 glasses a day.

• Golden root can be used as a dye.
• Due to the presence of tannins, the plant is also used as a tanning agent.

Interested in the medicinal effect of the golden root, many summer residents try to grow it on their site. The plant grows best on light sandy soils, and if there is good drainage, then it is also accepted in ordinary soil. With clay and heavy soil, sand should be added to the ground to grow the golden root. The site should be sunny and evenly moist.

Golden root can be propagated vegetatively by planting its rhizomes as 5 cm cuttings with a few buds. It is important that when planting the kidneys are not deep in the ground (no deeper than 15 mm). Also note that the plant is dioecious. If you bought one copy and propagate it vegetatively, then you will not be able to get seeds.

However, much more often than vegetatively, this plant is propagated using seeds. They are sown in autumn, often in October. If the seeds were not sown before winter, they are stratified for 1 month in the refrigerator or in a box of sand. This increases their germination, so these seeds can be sown in the spring.

Conditions important for the propagation of the golden root by seeds:

• since they are small, it is not necessary to sow the seeds deep (sometimes they are not covered at all, but only rolled a little);
• seeds germinate at a temperature of +15+20 degrees;
• it is important to clear the earth of weeds;
• seeds are sown directly into the ground or first in boxes;
• young shoots should be watered and shaded;
• a year later or at the end of summer, the plants are transplanted to a permanent place (preferably in rows).

To understand the conditions in which Rhodiola can be grown, one must take into account that its plantations were established on Mount Sarlyk in the 70s.

Observing the seedlings and plants, it was found that the cultivated Rhodiola is more bushy and the size of the roots. In plants propagated by seeds, the weight of the rhizome was much greater. It was also determined that the seeds are best sown before winter.