3 forms · SHR-5 (Arctic Root®) is the only one with pivotal RCT · generic standardized 3% rosavin / 1% salidroside valid · variable unstandardized pure root.
Patented extract 3% rosavins + 1% salidroside
Best for
Ideal use: therapeutic burnout/depression protocol, replicate RCT doses and effects.
Advantages
Form used in 100% canonical RCTs (Darbinyan, Olsson, Kasper, Mao). HPLC-verified standardization. European pharmaceutical quality.
Disadvantages
Expensive · Linnea royalty raises price (~25-50 €/month). Limited availability in premium Spanish brands.
Now, Solgar, Thorne non-SHR5 brands
Best for
Ideal use: budget, verifiable brand, don't need SHR-5 precision.
Advantages
Canon rosavin/salidroside ratio · COA verifies concentration. More economical ~50% less than SHR-5. Functionally equivalent if standardization is real.
Disadvantages
Quality varies by manufacturer · some cheap brands use unstandardized extract. Verify HPLC COA.
Raw powder, root tea
Best for
Ideal use (limited): traditional tea consumption, not for controlled therapeutic protocol.
Advantages
Economical, complete natural matrix. Historic traditional Viking and Siberian use.
Disadvantages
Very variable rosavin/salidroside concentration (0.1-3% per lot). Impossible to replicate RCT therapeutic dose. Not recommended for pro wellness.
Ideal use: therapeutic burnout/depression protocol, replicate RCT doses and effects.
Ideal use: budget, verifiable brand, don't need SHR-5 precision.
Ideal use (limited): traditional tea consumption, not for controlled therapeutic protocol.
3 forms · SHR-5 (Arctic Root®) is the only one with pivotal RCT · generic standardized 3% rosavin / 1% salidroside valid · variable unstandardized pure root.