Origin & tradition
Hong Jing Tian (红景天) is used in Tibetan and Chinese medicine for altitude and endurance, and in Scandinavian/Russian tradition as an anti-fatigue adaptogen.
Both tradition · Adaptogen
Rhodiola 红景天
A high-altitude adaptogen with human trials on fatigue and stress — and a foothold in both Eastern and Western tradition.
39ClinicalTrials.gov matched
61PubMed RCT records
30Meta-analysis records
5+PubMed records
Rosavins & salidrosideKey active compound
Data definition. Matched records include all indexed medical endpoints for this intervention — not only longevity. Longevity-relevant records are screened separately and cited in the evidence summary below. Counts are matched-record volumes, not de-duplicated trials and not efficacy claims.
Why longevity buyers care
Key active: Rosavins & salidroside (botanical extract).
Salidroside and rosavins are studied for stress-axis modulation and cellular stress resistance; human RCTs report reduced fatigue and improved stress tolerance.
Effect summary
Studied health outcomes
Editorial summary — This table is curated by hand from published research consensus, not automatically calculated from our trial database. Grades reflect our interpretation of the literature. Treat as a starting point, not a definitive verdict. See the Evidence panel below for the underlying trial and paper counts sourced directly from ClinicalTrials.gov and PubMed.
| Health outcome | Effect | Magnitude | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mental fatigue / burnout | Decreases | Strong | A |
| Cognitive performance under stress | Increases | Moderate | B |
| Anxiety scores | Decreases | Moderate | B |
| Exercise performance | Increases | Minor | C |
| Depression (mild-moderate) | Decreases | Moderate | B |
Grade: A = robust RCTs · B = several RCTs / meta-analysis · C = limited or mixed RCTs · D = observational or early data
Dosage guidance
How Rhodiola is typically used
- Typical dose
- 200–600 mg/day standardized extract
- Form
- capsule (SHR-5 or equivalent, standardized to 3% rosavins + 1% salidroside)
- Timing
- morning on empty stomach; second dose before lunch if split
Rhodiola is mildly stimulating — avoid evening doses. SHR-5 (Swedish Herbal Institute) is the most-studied extract. Effects on fatigue typically noticeable within 1–2 weeks.
Informational only — not a prescription or personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician before starting any supplement or medication.
Evidence summary
What the research actually says
74Evidence confidence
Human RCT evidence61 randomized controlled trials · 30 meta-analyses / systematic reviews
Multiple human fatigue/stress RCTs; aging link mechanistic
Salidroside and rosavins are studied for stress-axis modulation and cellular stress resistance; human RCTs report reduced fatigue and improved stress tolerance.
39registered clinical trials reference this intervention
3selected from 5+ PubMed papers (longevity / aging angle)
- Pharmacological functions of salidroside in renal diseases: facts and perspectives
- Phenolic Compounds of Rhodiola rosea L. as the Potential Alternative Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases
- Rhodiola rosea L.: an herb with anti-stress, anti-aging, and immunostimulating properties for cancer chemoprevention
Key active: Rosavins & salidroside (botanical extract) — a multi-compound botanical extract, so activity is not reducible to a single molecule.
According to PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov: trial counts from ClinicalTrials.gov, peer-reviewed literature from PubMed. Counts auto-refresh weekly; last checked 2026-07-19. They include trials across many endpoints, not only longevity.
Informational only — not medical advice, a treatment claim, or a substitute for a qualified clinician. Evidence strength varies; we show mixed and null results on purpose.
Evidence collections
Rhodiola appears in
Compare the evidence
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