An HPLC method permitting the first simultaneous detection of 5 marker compounds (salidroside, rosarin, rosavin, rosin, rosiridin) of R. rosea was developed. A separation was achieved within 27 min by using C-18 column material, a phosphate buffer/acetonitrile gradient system and at a separation temperature of 60 degrees C. All five compounds could be detected at concentrations as low as 0.62 microg/ml and were clearly assignable in R. rosea plant material and commercial products. Therefore, this quantitative and qualitative applicability of the method offers efficient and reliable means for the evaluation of R. rosea and products thereof.