Roots.
Cultivating golden root is not all that simple, but the plant can be propagated in two ways. One way of cultivating golden root is growing the plant from its seed, while the other method is vegetative propagation by root division.
The chemical structure as well as the physiological features of the different species of Rhodiola varies from one species of the plant to another. However, many species of the Rhodiola possess similar chemical composition and physiological features. Thus far, scientists have been able to segregate 28 compounds from the Rhodiola rosea roots and the parts of the plant above the ground. Among these 28 compounds, 12 are new compounds. Roots of the Rhodiola rosea enclose a variety of organically active materials comprising organic acids, tannins, flavonoids as well as phenolic glycosides. Initially, the stimulating as well as adoptogenic features of Rhodiola rosea were ascribed to compounds segregated from the plant's roots and recognized as phenolic glycoside rhodioloside and p-tyrosol. Later, the arrangement or structural composition of rhodioloside was found to be akin to the already familiar glycoside salidroside present in many other species of plants. In fact, rhodioloside, salidroside and sometimes even rhodosin are best used to express the compound rhodioloside and these are regarded to be synonyms. Other glycoside amalgams that have been segregated from the Rhodiola rosea comprise rhodiolin, rhodioniside, rosavin, rosarin and rosiridin. Scientists consider these glycoside amalgams to be vital for the examined adaptogenic features of the rose root. Scientists have found an assortment of antioxidant amalgams in Rhodiola rosea and associated genus, such as organic acids (caffeic acid, gallic acid and chlorogenic acid), p-tyrosol and flavonoids (proanthocyanidins and catechins). The alcohol and water extracts of Rhodiola sp. have shown considerable free radical hunting actions and this property has been ascribed to the range of antioxidant amalgams. In fact, p-tyrosol has demonstrated the ability to be absorbed voluntarily and depending on the quantity of dosage following oral intake of the compound. The compound extracted from Rhodiola sp. seems to generate a noteworthy antioxidant and reticent 5-lipoxygenase slowing down activity in vivo (a biological process occurring or made to happen in an organism). Salidroside or rhodioloside, p-tyrosol and the added glycoside amalgams that are similar to salidroside, including rosin, rhodiolin, rosavin, rosiridin and rosarin are considered to be the most vital elements present in the herb and that are essential for remedial actions. The ingredients found in salidroside and p-tyrosol in the root sections collected from different regions in China have shown to vary from 1.3 to 11.1 mg/g and 0.3 to 2.2 mg/gm respectively. In fact, these two amalgams have been found in all the studied species of Rhodiola. Nevertheless, the other dynamic glycosides that comprise rosin, rosavin and rosarin have not been found in all the tested Rhodiola species. Owing to such disparity in the Rhodiola species, substantiation of Rhodiola rosea by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) largely relies on the substance of the added glycosides, instead of salidroside and p-tyrosol. In fact, presently, the ingredient rosavin has been opted for the consistency of extracts from the Rhodiola species.
The dosage of a regularized golden root concentrate in two double blind clinical experiments conducted with the herb varied between 100 mg and 170 mg each day. The rosavin content in the daily dosage of the standardized Rhodiola rosea extract was around 3.6 to 6.14 mg. The available curative dosage of medications prepared with Rhodiola rosea concentrate will differ conditional on the extent of the standardization of the plant extract; nevertheless, the rosavin content in the daily dosage mentioned above appears to be sensible for constant administration of the medications prepared from Rhodiola rosea extract. In other words, this would mean a daily dosage of around 360 mg to 600 mg Rhodiola rosea for a concentrate regularized for one per cent rosavin, 180 mg to 300 mg of an extract standardized for two per cent rosavin or the dosage ranging between 100 mg and 170 mg for a concentrate regularized for 3.6 per cent rosavin. It is important to note here that as an adaptogen, persistent consumption of medications prepared with Rhodiola rosea extract is generally started a number of weeks before the phase of anticipated heightened physiological, biological and chemical stress and sustained all the way through the length of the demanding incident or activity. Always bear in mind that when Rhodiola rosea is being taken as a single dosage for any severe reason, such as for an examination or an athletic championship, the recommended dosage is normally thrice more than the dosage taken for constant supplementation.
It is significant to note that the doses of Rhodiola extracts administered during the clinical trials reported a total absence of any adverse side effects. Nevertheless, initial clinical response hints that when Rhodiola rosea extract regularized for two per cent rosavin is taken in does between 1.5 gm and 2.9 gm, it may lead to enhanced petulance and insomnia in a number of patients within a number of days. It is likely that additional physiological limitation that gain from administering a lesser dosage of Rhodiola rosea extract may be worsened by a dosage that is incongruously high and/ or continued for extended periods of time. No preparation from golden root extracts should be taken during pregnancy or lactation. This is primarily owing to the fact that the scientists are yet to ascertain the safety of the medication when used by pregnant women or those who are breast-feeding. And patients taking high dosages of medications prepared with golden root extracts are most likely to confront the hazards of insomnia. Apart from these shortcomings, usage of medications prepared with rose root extracts is considered to be safe. In fact, Rhodiola rosea is not known to have any interaction with any familiar drug or nutrient and, hence, therapeutic preparations with extracts from the plant may be taken along with other medications or nourishing agents. Nevertheless, the scientists are yet to ascertain a lot many aspects regarding this herb and the manner in which it reacts with other adoptogens, like the Siberian ginseng, and with added nutritional enhancements.
Although the Rhodiola rosea plants normally attain their utmost tallness three years after planting them, the therapeutic roots of this plant is only fit for harvesting after a minimum of five years of their existence. Autumn is the best time of the year to harvest the Rhodiola rosea roots as the plant discontinues its vegetative growth during this season and the dehydrated content of the roots are at their maximum. Harvesting these medicinal roots is very simple as all that needs to be done is to dig them out by hand. However, where the plant is cultivated on large-scale cultivators may use machines to facilitate the harvesting process. Following the harvesting, the roots need to be cut into narrow pieces each measuring about 10 cm in length and left to dehydrate in a properly ventilated drier at temperatures ranging between 40� and 50�C for about four days to a week. When subjected to such conditions, the fundamental white color of the Rhodiola rosea roots change from white to light brown. However, it is advisable not to dry the roots in sunlight as strong light is likely to wipe out the therapeutic contents in the roots. The best way to store the dehydrated roots is to pack them in paper packets and keep in a cool dry place. The dry roots can be stored effectively in this process for up to three years.
