Rhodiola imbricata

Rhodiola imbricaata, commonly known as Roseroot, is a resilient perennial herb flourishing in high-altitude Himalayan environments. Renowned for its potent adaptogenic properties, this medicinal plant is traditionally used to enhance physical endurance, combat fatigue, and support mental clarity, offering significant therapeutic potential for managing modern physiological stress.

  • Scientific name: Rhodiola imbricata
  • Family: Crassulaceae
  • Native range: Asia-Temperate

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Saxifrages, it is further classified under the family Crassulaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rhodiola, specifically as the species Rhodiola imbricata.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Saxifragales WCVP
Family Crassulaceae WCVP
Genus Rhodiola WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Rhodiola imbricata, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and cultural context. In English, it is frequently called Roseroot, while in Tibetan, it is known as Hong Jing Tian. In Chinese, it is commonly called Hong Jing Tian, and in Hindi, it is referred to as Rhodola.
Language Common Name Source

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across high-altitude regions of the Asian continent. In China, its distribution is specifically concentrated within the Tibet region. Moving toward the Indian subcontinent, it grows throughout the East Himalaya range. The species is also widely documented across the mountainous terrain of Nepal. Furthermore, its presence extends to the West Himalaya within the Indian subcontinent.

Region Area Source
China Tibet WCVP
Indian Subcontinent East Himalaya WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Nepal WCVP
Indian Subcontinent West Himalaya WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as Rhodiola or Golden Root, is primarily valued for its medicinal properties which are concentrated in its underground structures. The most potent part used in traditional and modern herbal medicine is the thick, fleshy rhizome, which often develops a distinctive yellowish color. In addition to the spreading rhizome, the entire root system is typically harvested to extract the active compounds responsible for its adaptogenic effects.
Total parts
2
Scientific sources
3
Plant Part Sources Confidence
rhizome 2 ★☆☆☆☆
root 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Rhodiola imbricata has 42 reported phytochemicals identified across 44 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ascorbic acid, salidroside, 1,3-dimethoxybenzene, 1-pentacosanol, 13-tetradecen-1-ol acetate.

Total chemicals
42
Scientific sources
44

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
ascorbic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
salidroside 2 ★☆☆☆☆
1,3-dimethoxybenzene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
1-pentacosanol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
13-tetradecen-1-ol acetate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
17-pentatriacontene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
3-methoxy-5-methylphenol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
7,8-dimethylbenzocyclooctene 1 ★☆☆☆☆
B1 1 ★☆☆☆☆
B12 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Rhodiola imbricata has 3 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Adaptogen, Adaptogenic.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Adaptogen 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Adaptogenic 1 ★☆☆☆☆