Quoted: Benefiting from decades of research that took place behind the Iron Curtain, Western physicians are discovering <i>Rhodiola rosea</i>, a cold-weather herb that purportedly fights fatigue and boosts energy. ... Soviets had been studying the herb since the 1940s, feeding it to Olympic athletes and cosmonauts. Government scientists had noted that rhodiola boosted the body's response to stress. ... Laboratory and animal studies show that the herb may inhibit cancer cells, protect healthy cells from toxins, and correct enzyme imbalances associated with diabetes. In addition, four trials with human volunteers show that rhodiola extracts can boost mental performance, reduce fatigue, and ease depression.