A Polish representative of the Rhodiola genus (Rhodiola rosea) is an arctic-alpine species occurring in Eurasia and North America, in polar tundra and high mountains, from the Pyrenees to the Alps, Carpathian Mountains, Siberia and Kamchatka to Alaska. In Poland this species occurs in the Sudety, Tatra and Bieszczady Mountains, in national parks only. Among plants with ginseng-like effects, this species is the strongest. Its preparations increase the ability to do physical and mental work, regulate blood pressure and improve reflexes, visual and aural acuity. They also have atimulative and strengthening effects.