{"id":5484,"date":"2023-08-31T13:16:36","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T21:16:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/?p=5484"},"modified":"2025-02-25T10:53:26","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T18:53:26","slug":"rhodiola-rosea-in-tcm-the-best-non-native-chinese-herb-for-stress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/rhodiola-rosea-in-tcm-the-best-non-native-chinese-herb-for-stress.html","title":{"rendered":"Rhodiola Rosea In TCM – The Best (Non-Native) Chinese Herb for Stress"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Adaptogenic herbs, aka \u201cadaptogens\u201d have been a hot wellness trend for the better part of a decade in the USA. But long before Hollywood elite and celebrity doctors were hyping adaptogens, as far back as the 1950s, they were all the rage in the former USSR. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To become Earth\u2019s supreme superpower, the Soviets sought a methamphetamine-free advantage for its soldiers, athletes, cosmonauts and laborers over their American counterparts. The Russians discovered that certain hardy high-altitude, arctic and sub-arctic herbs such as Eleuthero<\/a>Eleuthero<\/a> (Siberian ginseng; Ci Wu Jia) helped support endurance, stamina and focus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there was one herb in particular that not only survived but thrived in the harsh Siberian elements that helped Soviet cadets stay alert while being sleep-deprived: Rhodiola Rosea (rose root). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Roots of Rhodiola Rosea In TCM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no surrogate for a down comforter when the weather outside is frightful. But in the 1970s, when the USSR occupied Afghanistan, Rhodiola, a succulent that blooms a yellow flower and smells like a rose when cut, was administered to Soviet soldiers to \u201cendure nights of frostbite and high elevations\u201d in the \u2018graveyard of empires,\u2019 says a 2016 article on the herb in National Geographic<\/a>. Soviet scientists, under strict orders to keep their findings under unpublished wraps for fear of tipping off American scientists, observed that Rhodiola stimulated the soldiers without the zombie-like after-affects of speed.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the trend of using Rhodiola for endurance and resistance to extreme stress long pre-dates adventures in Soviet imperialism. The American Botanical Council<\/a> says, \u201cFor centuries, R. rosea has been used in the traditional medicine of Russia, Scandinavia, and other countries.\u201d According to the 2021 edition of Himalayan Medicinal Plants<\/em><\/a>, \u201cRoots of Rhodiola have been known for its medicinal use in the traditional folk medicine of China, Tibet, and Mongolia to enhance physical endurance, to treat fatigue and gastrointestinal ailments.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite not being indigenous to eastern China, Rhodiola (Hong Jing Tian<\/a>Hong Jing Tian<\/a>) has been used for centuries in China, where the herb is traditionally known as \u201cgolden root\u201d. The American Botanical Council says that Chinese emperors sent expeditions to Siberia to bring back the \u2018golden root\u2019 for \u201cmedicinal preparations.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Does Rhodiola Do In TCM?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For all its supposed glory in alternative health blogs as an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps the body adapt to stress, how does Rhodiola work from a TCM perspective? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhodiola seems to have a bipolar personality. On the one hand, it can function like a stimulatant but on the other hand, it may act like a sedative.\u00a0<\/div>\n\n\n\n

TCM practitioners may prescribe Rhodiola Rosea tea<\/a>Rhodiola Rosea tea<\/a> to improve Qi flow in the body. With better Qi flow, blood is better able to circulate, leading to better stamina, mental clarity, and overall vitality. In addition, enhanced blood circulation delivers more nutrients and oxygen to various tissues. This property can have a positive impact on cognitive function, energy levels, and skin health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rhodiola Rosea also acts on the Lung meridian, which may support respiratory health. The herb also influences the Heart meridian, which governs emotions. Taking Rhodiola, therefore, may help support a balanced mood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is There Research To Support Rhodiola? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not only has Rhodiola been used for centuries, but research on this adaptogenic herb goes back hundreds of years. In fact, the American Botanical Council says, \u201cBetween 1725 and 1960, various medicinal applications of R. rosea appeared in the scientific literature of Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Soviet Union, and Iceland.\u201d And since the 1960s, there have been more than 180 other studies on the plant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eric Noreen, associate professor of Health Sciences at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, who focuses on nutritional supplements for sports performance suggests that the Soviet scientists were on to something by administering Rhodiola to Russian athletes. \u201cIf you look at [both the old and new research] there does seem to be something there,\u201d Noreen told National Geographic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not only may Rhodiola support athletic endurance, but a study in the Journal of Clinical Trials<\/a> suggests the golden root may support mood. Based on over 1,200 entries on Pubmed<\/a>, it may also support:

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