Rose root or roseroot, Rhodiola rosea, is also known as Aaron’s rod, arctic root, golden root, king’s-crown, Leedy’s roseroot, orpin rose or just rhodiola (sometimes rhodiola root). It is not related to goldenrod (which is also sometimes called Aaron’s rod) or to the rose.
It is a plant which has many latin names; just a sampling of names you might find it listed as are: Rhodiola atropurpurea, R. integrifolia, R. neomexicana, Sedum atropurpureum, S. integrifolium, S. rhodiola, S. rosea and S. rosea var. leedyi. Other names have also been used, but I feel this sampling is quite enough!
Unlike many of the herbs I’ve covered so far, roseroot is found mainly in colder parts of the world, and often on mountains. I mention Siberia, Kamchatka, Mongolia and Iceland as examples, but the plant is not limited to these areas, being found across Eastern Asia, Europe including the UK, as well as North America. It’s sometimes grown as an ornamental, which may explain some of the areas in which it is found.
Roseroot is a hardy perennial which reaches a height and spread of about 12 inches (30cm). It is not fussy about soil type or acidity and can cope with sea winds and drought, but will not grow in the shade. Easy from seed sown on the surface of moist compost (not allowed to dry out) in early spring in a cool greenhouse or similar without any heat – germination will take place in 2-4 weeks at 10ºC, which is pretty cold. Pot them on as normal, keeping them in a cold frame or similar if possible, and plant out when large enough in late spring or early summer. You can also propagate by division from late summer to early fall.
The part used mainly in herbal medicine is the root, which should be dug up in fall before the ground freezes too hard and dried for later use.
Make a decoction using 1 ounce (30g) of the part to be used (root/flowers, see uses below) in 600ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) of cold water. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and continue heating until the liquid has reduced by half, then strain off and discard the herb. The dosage is up to 250ml (1 US cup, 8 fl oz) a day, split into 3 doses.
Used for over 3,000 years as a tonic, the Vikings used it to enhance physical strength and endurance. Roseroot improves neurotransmitter activity; studies show it can increase brain serotonin by up to 30%. Use a root decoction as a general tonic, to increase resistance to and recovery from stress/overwork, enhance physical endurance and sexual potency and as an anti-depressant for mild to moderate depression. You can also use a decoction of flowers to treat indigestion and intestinal discomfort.
As with all plants used for herbal remedies, it’s important to grow roseroot organically to avoid corruption of the constituents. To find out more about growing organic herbs visit the Gardenzone.
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