Maral Root, Rhaponticum/Leuzea carthamoides

[Fey]

If this plant grows in Siberia where it’s cold, and grows here where it’s hot, then it should grow practically anywhere.

I tried to grow this herb a few times with no success; ordering seeds from four different places and didn’t get a single one to germinate. I thought I’d try again and this time bought the seeds from Horizon Herbs. Because of past experience I planted a lot…..and had the whole lot sprout up. My thought on this is that the seeds probably have a short lifespan much like Angelica, probably only good for a year.

When I transplanted them into the ground, some died right back to nothing, but about a week later there they were, sprouting up again. I have to admit, what looks much like a thistle plant, has such an amazing lifespan.

Maral root is a long-living perennial that lives anywhere from 75 to 150 years In Siberia, where it grows, it is used as a folk medicine “to enhance physical and sexual energy, improve mood and concentration, and help people survive the cold and challenging climate of Siberia” (Winston, 2007). It is named after the maral deer who eat its roots especially during the mating season to maintain their strength. Maral root has a wide range of adaptogenic benefits serving as a cardiac tonic, antioxidant, immune stimulant and nervine with antitumor and hepatoprotective properties.

Among its many uses include:

Replenishes strength and energy reserves

Restores sexual potency in men

Increases mental awareness

Increases lean muscle mass

Helps decrease fatty tissue

Adaptogens have a wider range of effect than do the traditional Chinese tonics. One would hardly consider any of the Chinese tonics as a treatment for inflammatory conditions such as fevers and sore throat. However, in Mongolian medicine, “(maral) roots are used to treat people with respiratory, liver and kidney diseases as well as fevers and severe sore throats” (Winston, 2007).

http://supermanherbs.com/maral-root/

It’s only recently been recognized by Western science and begun to be studied. A look at the current research, mostly done in Russia and surrounding areas, unveils the following:

Increased Protein Synthesis

Increased Work Capacity and Recovery by Athletes

Increased Muscle Mass

Stress Reducing Effects

Improvement in Overall Oxygen Transport Capacity of Blood

Increased Red and White Blood Cell Count

Immune System Modulation

Inhibits Nuclear Factor kappa B (NFkB)

Anti Cancerous, Microbial, Fungal and Parasitic

Antioxidant Activity Suppressing Oxidative Burst and Reactive Oxidative Species (ROS)

Significantly Modulate Cellular Activities and Regulation of DNA Replication

Improved Hyperglycemia

Cardioprotective Effects and Anti-Arrhythmic

Antiplatelet activity

Memory improvement

Contraindications

Maral root may increase the risk of bleeding so beware when taking drugs or other supplements that thin the blood.

May interact with other supplements and drugs with similar effects in unknown ways. This includes anabolics, antibacterials, anticarcogenics, antidepressants, antifungals, antioxidants, antiulcer, ant anxiety, cardiovascular, erectile dysfunction, immune system, hormonal, weight loss herbs and supplements and more.

My babies

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[Fey]

Maral root used to be Leuzea carthamoides and Leuzea rhapontica. Now it’s Stemmacantha carthamoides.

(Although, this site has made a big stuff up also putting Urtica dioica as the botanical name :LOL: , so what do they know?)

Me: Looks like they can’t decide what to call it. Maybe they should just call it Maral root.

Digging the root is major work, and as if that wasn’t enough, cleaning it is even more work. No wonder the Russians dig 2nd year root instead of the far larger root clumps of 4-5 year old plants.

Don’t grow maral root in clay, you’ll never get the wire-like tangled roots up.

Me: Oops, looks like I planted mine in the wrong spot!!! :face palm 2:

And here’s something to think of… It’s supposed to be Anabolic, but it’s supposed to be anti cancer. :boggle: That’s a mind twister.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Have you ever dug Balsam root or Burdock? Those are two really tough ones. I have NEVER gotten a whole root. Close on a couple of small balsam root. I have only gotten whole first year of burdock out of my grow bed.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

Thanks Fey. Looks like a plant worth getting acquainted with. 🙂

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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