Most Rhododendrons are known for their extremely beautiful flowers and massive foliage, but so far only one is known for its historical medicinal value, Rhododendron caucasicum. Native of the Caucasus, where it is most common, it forms a low thicket above 2000 meters from N .E. Turkey eastward towards and extended to Georgia where it is found in the alpine meadows or on the upper limits of the birch forest, at 2000- 3000 meters. It flowers from May to July making this Rhododendron one of the shortest blooming Rhododendrons in the world and while its beautiful blooms last only a short time, its true beauty lies within its valuable medicinal properties.

In the Republic of Georgia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, it is not unusual for people to live beyond 100 years of age as active members of society. The last verifiable statistics from the Republic of Georgia show that there are almost 23,000 Georgians over the age of 100 based on a population of only 3.2 million people. One of the key reasons for their longevity is Rhododendron caucasicum, the ingredient in Alpine Tea. Grown at 10,000- to 30,000-foot elevations in the Caucasian Mountains, Rhododendron caucasicum (also known as “snow rose”) contains polyphenolics, including flavonoids and proanthocyanidins.

Thirty years of research indicate that the phenylpropanoids in Rhododendron improve physical abilities, increase activity of the cardiovascular system, increase blood supply to the muscles and especially to the brain. Rhododendron caucasicum increases the resistance of the brain to imbalances caused by chemical, physical, and biological reasons. It is an antibacterial that also allows the good probiotics to thrive. It acts as a detoxicant, is highly P-vitamin active, protecting against capillary fragility, and is an excellent free-radical scavenger. Studies have demonstrated that Rhododendron caucasicum inhibits or abolishes the activity of the enzyme hyaluronidase, known to be an initiator of colon cancer.

One of the key benefits for anti-aging is Rhododendron caucasicum’s inhibition of hyaluronidase activity and its subsequent benefit to osteoarthritis patients. One theory regarding the cause of arthritis is that it may appear because of the abnormal release of the enzyme hyaluronidase from the cartilage cells. This leads to cartilage breakdown and destruction of the joint. Perhaps its inhibition of hyaluronidase activity is the key to arthritis prevention.

When Russians marry they propose a toast to the bride and groom gifting them Georgian longevity. What is their secret? For over 2,000 years, Georgians have consumed Alpine Tea as a daily ritual along with grain kefir containing eleven different probiotics. In addition, the water they drink is full of glacial minerals. It has been theorized that their long lives may be attributed to regular consumption of this traditional yogurt (kefir) and flavonoid-rich foods such as wine and honey, along with their Alpine Tea.

Clinical research has been ongoing as to the medicinal uses of this alpine plant. Prof. Dimitry M. Rossiyski, M.D., Meritorious Science Worker at the Soviet Medical Academy of Science, conducted a double-blind placebo study on seventy test subjects diagnosed with circulatory insufficiency and atherosclerosis, some with high blood pressure and evidence of past heart attacks. A 30 mg/day dose of Rhododendron extract over a 15- day period resulted in the subjects’ experiencing lowered blood pressure, improvement in coronary circulation, decrease of serum cholesterol, and elimination of pain in the chest area.

Subsequent studies at the First Central Moscow Hospital showed similar results on heart patients suffering from hardening of the arteries. Doctors Avraamova and Galperin performed clinical studies at the Moscow State Hospital on 24 males and 36 females ages 18-65 diagnosed with mitral valve insufficiency (prolapse). Improvements were obvious in the patients taking Rhododendron extract over those who did not receive it. The average heart rates in those receiving the extract were lowered from 90 to 70 beats per minute and systolic blood pressure was lowered from 177 to 160 mm Hg (Rossiysky 1954).

Again, studies at the First Central Moscow Hospital revealed that when 50 mg of Rhododendron caucasicum diluted in water was given to 170 volunteers suffering from severe gout, the average discharge of uric acid increased 55-60 percent and pain was relieved in a few hours. The Georgian Academy of Sciences gave 50 to 100 mg per day of the snow rose to 114 patients hospitalized for depression. The results showed a marked decrease in depressive symptoms in 93 of the patients. Similar results were achieved by the Moscow State Hospital study, indicating improvement of 162 patients with severe depression.

Rhododendron is also highly antibacterial, perhaps due to the presence of the well-known antibacterial compounds chlorogenic and caffeic acids that are known to exist in this plant. Tests conclude that it is more effective than either grape seed or pine bark as an antibacterial proanthocyanidin. In a 24-hour test of 12,000 Staphylococcus aureus bacteria thriving in solution, all were totally eliminated by Rhododendron, but 300 colonies were still surviving in the grape seed Petri dish, and 370 in the pine bark solution.

Rhododendron caucasicum is a unique plant among all other species of Rhododendron and is considered safe for human consumption. It is reported that some Rhododendrons, mainly the flowers, contain grayanotoxins, which are not soluble in water and can be harmful. Therefore, do not just go out to your garden and harvest your backyard Rhododendron! The snow rose has been used in foreign hospitals to treat heart disease, arthritis, gout, high cholesterol, blood pressure problems, depression, neuroses and psychoses, and concentration problems. Along with a strong regime of Probiotic supplementation and maintaining a healthy mineral balance in your body, taking Rhododendron caucasicum may give you the tools needed to achieve the level of longevity enjoyed by the elder Georgians.

NOTE: The above information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent any disease. This information is intended for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. All information was obtained from the book “Effective Natural Stress and Weight Management”, Dr. Zakir Ramazanov & Dr. Maria del Mar Bernal Suarez, ATN/Safe Goods Publishing, 1999.