Uzbek Rhodiola heterodonta

Description, Distribution, and Functional Uses

Plant Description

Rhodiola heterodonta (Latin: Rhodiola heterodonta), also known locally as Golden Root, is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Crassulaceae family. It has a sturdy, upright primary root with small lateral branches. The rhizome is branched and covered with scale-like, bluntly triangular leaves about 7–8 mm long and up to 8 mm wide. The erect stems reach 15–40 cm in height and usually number from one to three. The leaves are arranged alternately, triangular-ovate with a broadly heart-shaped base. In some cases, the upper leaves are more elongated, clasping the stem, sessile, coarsely serrated, and bluish-gray in color.

The inflorescence is dense, globular-cyathiform, and not surrounded by leaves. Flowers are borne on short pedicels, small, 3-4 mm in length (without stamens), dioecious, and tetramerous. Sepals are reddish, blunt, and linear. Petals are linear, blunt, reddish, and one and a half times longer than the sepals. Stamens exceed the petals by two times or more, with reddish or yellowish-green filaments approximately 5 mm long and reddish anthers, opposite the sepals and shorter than them. Pistils are lanceolate with short, thickened styles. Adjacent to the petals are elongated or nearly square, concave bracts that are bright red or orange, equal to half the length of the leaflets. Leaflets are equal to the petals, straight, linear-elongated, with a short, curved tip. Seeds are brown, elliptical, and 1-5 mm in length. The plant blooms from May to June.

Habitat and Distribution

Altitudinal Range

Rhodiola crenulata is predominantly a high-altitude species. It grows in the alpine and subalpine vegetation belts. It descends into the upper part of the arid belt along river valleys. Its altitudinal range spans from 900 to 2800 meters above sea level, with the most abundant populations found between 1700-2000 meters.

Geographical Distribution

It thrives on rocky slopes and cliffs at elevations up to 4000 meters in the following regions:

Tashkent Region

Kashkadarya Region

Surxondaryo Region

Overall Distribution includes Central Asia (Pamiro-Alay), the Himalayas, Central Mongolia, Tibet, Kashgar, and Afghanistan.

Functional use of Raw Material

Harvesting and Quality of Raw Material

Harvesting Frequency: At least every 20 years in the same areas.

Optimal Harvesting Time: August, when female plants are in the fruiting phase and seed dispersal occurs.

Harvesting Process:

Leave part of the rhizomes in the soil.

Rinse the collected raw material (rhizomes with roots) in running water.

Clean off old cork and dead parts.

Dry in the shade.

Longitudinally cut the rhizomes and dry them in dryers at temperatures of 50-60°C.

Pack the dried raw material in 30 kg bags and store in a dry, well-ventilated area.

Raw Material Characteristics:

Consists of pieces of cut rhizomes up to 9 cm in length and 2-5.1 cm in width.

Hard, wrinkled, with traces of old stems, often with a shiny surface.

Lateral roots extend from the rhizome, measuring 2.5-4 cm in length and 0.5-1.2 cm in width.

Raw material color: golden on the surface, pinkish or light brown at the cut surfaces.

Specific aroma, somewhat resembling the scent of roses.

Chemical Composition

In the underground parts of the plant, the following compounds are present:

Organic Acids: Malic acid, tartaric acid.

Triterpenoids: Ursolic acid.

Phenolic Carboxylic Acids: Gallic acid, caffeic acid, ferulic acid.

Coumarins: Umbelliferone, esculetin.

Tannins: 6.31%.

Flavonoids: Kaempferol, quercetin, astragalin, isoquercetin, quercimeritrin.

Anthraquinones.

In the above-ground parts, the following are contained:

Coumarins

Tannins: 1.46%

Flavonoids

Functional Uses

Liquid extract from the roots of Rhodiola crenulata is used as a stimulant in cases of fatigue. It is recommended for:

Individuals prone to asthenia, especially those engaged in work requiring increased mental effort.

Patients with asthenic conditions following somatic and infectious diseases.

Those with functional nervous system disorders, such as various forms of neurosis, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and hypotonia.

Contraindications:

Severely pronounced symptoms of increased nervous excitability.

Febrile conditions.

Hypertensive crises.

Side Effects are rare when using the extract.