Patient's question:
Can Rhodiola be consumed to alleviate altitude sickness? Can a 15-year-old child drink it? Can a 70-year-old elder drink it? The elder has high blood pressure. Can someone with a cold drink it?Doctor's answer:
Rhodiola, a traditional Chinese medicine name. It is the dried root and rhizome of Rhodiola rosea, a species in the Crassulaceae family. It is harvested after the flowering stems wither in autumn, the coarse bark is removed, it is washed, and then dried in the sun. It has a sweet and bitter taste and is considered neutral in nature, belonging to the Lung and Heart meridians. It is known for its functions of invigorating qi, promoting blood circulation, unblocking meridians, and relieving asthma. It is primarily used for conditions such as qi deficiency with blood stasis, chest pain and palpitations, hemiplegia after stroke, and fatigue with shortness of breath. People over 70 years old can consume it, but it is not suitable for 15-year-old children. Elderly individuals should also coordinate its use with antihypertensive medications.