Abstract
Rhodiola rosea L., also known as "golden root" or "roseroot", belongs to the plant family Crassulaceae. Its grows primarily in dry sandy ground at high altitudes in the arctic areas of Europe and Asia.
For centuries, R. rosea has been used in the traditional medicine of Russia, Scandinavia, and other countries. The current medical and pharmacological texts describe its use as a stimulant for fatigue, for somatic and infectious illnesses, in psychiatric and neurological conditions, and in healthy individuals to relieve fatigue and to increase attention span, memory, and work productivity.
R. rosea enhances learning and memory in animal models and increase 5-HT levels in the frontal cerebral cortex, promotes release of catecholamines that activate the cerebral cortex and the limbic system. R. rosea may prevent or ameliorate some age-related neurological dysfunctions.