The American Botanical Council (ABC), Austin, TX, welcomed the adoption of rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) by Jiaherb Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of natural and botanical ingredients based in Pine Brook, NJ, through ABC’s Adopt-an-Herb Program. Through its adoption, Jiaherb helps ABC expand its nonprofit educational mission and keep its unique HerbMedPro database updated with the latest scientific and clinical research on this traditionally used medicinal plant. 
 
HerbMedPro is a comprehensive, interactive online database that provides access to important scientific and clinical research data on the uses and health effects of approximately 250 medicinal and aromatic plants. 
 
“By supporting the Adopt-an-Herb Program, we will be working together with ABC to do further research on the benefits of this increasingly popular botanical,” said Scott Chen, president of Jiaherb. “This will help to educate the global herb community, including the botanical industry, about rhodiola, rhodiola’s traditional use, current applications, and sustainable development.” 
 
“ABC is deeply grateful to Jiaherb for its generous support of ABC’s nonprofit educational mission via their adoption of Rhodiola rosea,” said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director of ABC. “There is increasing research and market interest in this adaptogenic root and its extracts, and ABC will be able to stay current with the scientific and clinical research on this important herb due to Jiaherb’s adoption.”
 
Mr. Chen noted that sustainability concerns for Rhodiola rosea have made research and conservation efforts particularly important. “In recent years, the sources of rhodiola have started to slowly diminish,” he said. “It is time for us to shift our attention to the sustainability of this naturally grown herb and its scientific use and benefits. We need to develop a sustainable future for rhodiola that will protect it from overharvesting, and to implement a solution that will protect the species from extinction.” 
 
Rhodiola, also known as golden root, arctic root, and roseroot, grows naturally at high altitudes and in arctic regions of Europe, North America, and Asia. Although it has long been used in traditional medicine for several disorders, it is mostly known as an adaptogenic herb used to help prevent and treat stress, mental and physical fatigue, depression, and to boost energy. 
In Russia and Scandinavia, rhodiola has been used for centuries to cope with the cold Siberian climate and stressful life. It is also used to increase physical endurance and resistance to altitude sickness. The plant has been used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is called hong jing tian. Scientists have identified about 140 chemical compounds in the roots of rhodiola, including phenols, rosavin, rosin, rosarin, organic acids, terpenoids, phenolcarbonic acids and derivatives thereof, and flavonoids. 
 
Jiaherb is an NSF International-certified manufacturer of natural ingredients, which includes herbal extracts, powders, spices, and natural sweeteners. The company stated that for more than 17 years it has been committed to providing its customers with reliable and sustainable high-quality ingredients. Jiaherb said that its comprehensive and diverse sourcing program consists of a team of botanists and product specialists that travel the world looking for the best raw materials. Ultimately designed to improve product confidence, Jiaherb has established programs that consist of an identification verification program and a program with tracking procedures that control and verify product characteristics at every stage of the manufacturing process, from arrival of raw materials through to storage, production, warehousing, and sales.
 
Jiaherb is one of 45 companies that have supported ABC’s educational efforts to collect, organize, and disseminate reliable, traditional, science-based, and clinical information on herbs, medicinal plants, and other botanical- and fungal-based ingredients through the Adopt-an-Herb Program. This program encourages companies, organizations, and individuals to “adopt” one or more specific herbs for inclusion and ongoing maintenance in the HerbMedPro database. To date, 50 herbs have been adopted. 
 
Each adopted herb is continuously researched for new articles and studies, ensuring that its HerbMedPro record stays current and robust. The result is an unparalleled resource not only for researchers, health professionals, industry, and consumers, but for all members of the herbal and dietary supplements community. 
 
HerbMedPro is available to ABC members at the Academic level and higher. Its “sister” site, HerbMed, is free and available to the general public. In keeping with the ABC’s position as an independent research and education organization, herb adopters do not influence the scientific information that is compiled for their respective adopted herbs.