With plants, a quantity alone says little. A thousand milligrams of rhodiola can contain a lot or almost nothing of its characteristic compounds, depending on the part of the plant used, its origin and the extraction process. What matters is standardisation: the guaranteed percentage of the compound of interest.

Here the rhodiola is standardised to 3% rosavins, the benchmark used in research on this plant, and the saffron to 2% safranal. These two figures make it possible to compare one product with another, while many labels stay silent on this point. It is the first thing we check before listing a plant extract in our shop in Paris 12th.

Rhodiola rosea grows at altitude in the cold regions of Siberia and Scandinavia, and is traditionally classed among the so-called adaptogenic plants. The root is the part used: it is where rosavins and salidroside are concentrated. The plant takes several years to establish itself, which explains the cost of a properly standardised raw material.

Beware of a frequent confusion of names. Other rhodiolas are sold under the same commercial name, notably Rhodiola crenulata, which is cheaper and has a different profile. Rhodiola rosea is the species documented in the literature, and the rosavin content is a useful check: a substituted species does not reach it.

It takes around 150,000 Crocus sativus flowers to obtain one kilo of saffron, and it is harvested by hand, stigma by stigma. This explains why 30 mg can weigh heavily in the cost of a formula.

The saffron chosen by Nutripure comes from organic farming and is standardised to safranal, the compound that carries the aroma of the spice. One practical note: saffron colours. If a capsule slightly tints a damp finger, that is the nature of the spice, not a defect of the product.

Take two capsules in the morning with a large glass of water, on an empty stomach or with breakfast, whichever suits you best. The morning is the recommended time for rhodiola. The 60-capsule bottle covers one month; common practice is one to two months of use followed by a break of a few weeks.

The formula is suitable for vegetarians: plant extracts and a vegetable capsule, with no ingredients of animal origin. It is made in France. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women; saffron in particular should be avoided during pregnancy. If you take medication, especially medication acting on mood, ask your doctor before starting, as interactions are possible.

Nutripure is a French brand founded in 2017 near Toulouse by Christophe Carrio, a qualified dietitian, and his brother Florent, an engineer. Its products are made in France, with ingredients and standardisation levels stated on the label.

Herba Barona has been a food supplement shop since 2006, at 10 rue Théophile Roussel, Paris 12th, near Ledru-Rollin (line 8) and Bastille (lines 1, 5, 8) metro stations, open Tuesday to Saturday, 9.30 am to 6.30 pm. Rhodiola, ashwagandha and eleuthero sit side by side in our anti-stress section and our energy and vitality section.