An Ancient Foundation

In traditional folk medicine, the use of Rhodiola rosea has been documented for thousands of years. Its origins lie within the remote Caucasus Mountains of Siberia. Since there is documented proof of its medical applications in the ancient Greek physician Dioscorides' classic medical text "De Materia Medica," we know the herb was traded thousands of miles from where it was grown. It was prized by the Vikings for imparting endurance and strength on treks and ocean-going voyages. It was also held in high regard by the Chinese.

Rhodiola rosea has been treasured for thousands of years for its qualities of anti-aging, enhanced energy, increased endurance and stamina, and ability to deliver a sense of well-being. The locations where the plants were grown were often a closely guarded secret of the herb traders and to this day Rhodiola crops in Siberia have guards posted to deter poaching.

Rhodiola rosea has been a staple of medicine in Europe for over three millennia. It was a common belief that drinking teas brewed from it could extend life up to a century. In an era when shipping goods for thousands of miles was prohibitively difficult, Rhodiola rosea was regularly traded in the Greek empire, far distant from Siberia, its distant land of origin. In the Greek myth of Jason, Rhodiola was used to increase strength for battle. The ancient Chinese, long known as world leaders in herbal remedies, called it "Golden Root", perhaps because they valued it more highly than gold. The Chinese emperors of those days dispatched Siberian expeditions to retrieve this priceless arctic treasure. The knowledge of the places where Rhodiola rosea grew was a tightly kept proprietary secret, known only to a few select families throughout history.

That tradition of secrecy continued into the twentieth century. When Russian scientists rediscovered the Rhodiola herb they did not share any of their findings beyond their own borders. For many years, safely tucked away behind the Iron Curtain, the benefits of Rhodiola were studied and used for practical applications. The Russian Olympic team was administered Rhodiola rosea, and it is during this era that Russian Olympians developed their world famous reputation for strength, power, and grace. Rhodiola was also used to treat Russian cosmonauts in order to relieve the intense stress created by space missions.

The time has come to bring this plant out of obscurity and provide a modern, scientifically proven, top quality source that can be enjoyed by the masses.