Rhodiola & Schisandra

Rhodiola and Schisandra Quality Stories

Rhodiola Quality Story

Rhodiola rosea (Sedum roseum) is commonly referred to as Golden Root or Roseroot and grows in dry sandy ground at high altitudes in the arctic regions of Europe and Asia. The freshly cut root has a rose-like odor that has led to its botanical name and one of its common names. The root has been used for centuries in the traditional herbalism of Russia and Scandinavia. There are however 16 common species of Rhodiola growing in the Eurasian area. Of these, 11 have been tested in animal studies, but only R. rosea and to a far lesser extent R. crenulata have been assessed in human trials.

Most of the Rhodiola species have been reported to contain the marker compound salidroside and this was originally used to standardize extracts of Rhodiola rosea. After more than a decade of research, however, it was shown that the chemical composition of R. rosea root is, in fact, different to the other species of the genus Rhodiola. Using newly developed methods of analysis, it was shown that R. rosea root contains three cinnamyl alcohol-vicianosides: rosavin, rosin, and rosarin that are specific to this species. They are collectively termed rosavins. HPLC offers a ready method to differentiate true Rhodiola rosea from the other species offered on the market. The two major rosavins found are rosavin and rosarin, with only very low quantities of rosin.

Schisandra Quality Story

Schisandra is a well known Chinese herb, however it is not well known that two species of Schisandra are used in TCM, the phytochemical profile of each being very different. Schisandra chinensis (northern Schisandra) is the preferred species in TCM and by Western professionals. It contains compounds called schisandrins (schisandrin, gomisin A, deoxyschisandrin, gomisin N and wuweizizu C) which are believed responsible for the clinical effects. Southern Schisandra, Schisandra spenanthera, (see Product X in the trace) is considered inferior due to lower levels of schisandrins, however it is often used interchangeably with Schisandra chinensis. Manufacturers therefore need to be very careful to avoid substitution with Schisandra spenanthera. The species are readily distinguishable morphologically and by HPLC. MediHerb routinely uses HPLC to ensure the correct identity and guarantee consistent levels of schisandrins.