Product Image

Jump Start

Gaia Herbs Adrenal Health
4.6
(1098 ratings)
Rhodiola
Cordyceps 40 mg
Product Image
Score 68.0

Gaia Herbs Jump Start offers an adaptogenic liquid blend of Rhodiola, Cordyceps, and Rhaponticum, aiming for energy and stress support. While it comes from a reputable brand and is in an absorbable liquid form, the substantial proprietary blend and low specific dosages of key ingredients like Rhodiola and Cordyceps might limit its overall effectiveness.

Quantity: 60 Liquid(s)Servings size: 2 Capsule(s) (30 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Mental Focus
Mood Support
Energy
Stress Relief
Anti-Inflammatory Support

Score 68.0

Gaia Herbs Jump Start offers an adaptogenic liquid blend of Rhodiola, Cordyceps, and Rhaponticum, aiming for energy and stress support. While it comes from a reputable brand and is in an absorbable liquid form, the substantial proprietary blend and low specific dosages of key ingredients like Rhodiola and Cordyceps might limit its overall effectiveness.

Analysis

This product positions itself as an adaptogenic blend, utilizing Rhodiola, Cordyceps, and Rhaponticum to support various health aspects, including mental focus, energy, and stress relief. The liquid format is generally considered beneficial for absorption. A significant concern, however, is the presence of a 700mg 'Proprietary Extract Blend' which obscures the exact quantities of its components, while the specifically listed amounts for organic Cordyceps (40mg) and Siberian Rhodiola (60mg) are considerably lower than typical therapeutic doses found in research. Although Rhaponticum is present at 150mg, the overall formulation may not deliver maximal benefits for its wide array of claims due to the low transparency and conservative dosing of primary active compounds.

Pros
  • Utilizes a liquid extract form, which can facilitate faster absorption of active compounds compared to capsules or tablets.
  • Contains a blend of well-regarded adaptogenic herbs, including explicitly listed Rhodiola and Cordyceps, known for stress and energy support.
  • Produced by Gaia Herbs, a brand with a strong reputation for quality sourcing and manufacturing of herbal products.
Cons
  • A significant portion of the active ingredients is hidden within a 700mg "Proprietary Extract Blend," limiting transparency regarding its full composition and efficacy.
  • The explicitly listed dosages for key adaptogens like organic Cordyceps (40mg) and Siberian Rhodiola (60mg) are considerably lower than the amounts typically found effective in clinical research for desired outcomes.
  • The price per serving ($1.24) is relatively high considering the limited transparency and the conservative dosages of the specifically disclosed active ingredients.
Warnings
  • Individuals on medications, particularly those affecting blood pressure, blood sugar, or central nervous system, should consult a healthcare professional due to the potential adaptogenic effects.
  • As an adaptogenic blend, it could potentially interact with other supplements or medications, and some individuals may experience mild digestive upset or sensitivity.
$37.34($1.24 per serving)
Amazon
$ 37.34
Pure Formulas
$ 37.34
iHerb
$ 37.34
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calories 5 Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydrates 1 Gram(s)
Rhaponticum carthamoides (Stemmacantha carthamoides) root extract 150 mg
Siberian Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea) root extract 60 mg
organic Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) Mushroom fruiting body extract 40 mg
Proprietary Extract Blend 700 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Vegan Women Vegetarian
Categories
Rhodiola 60.0
Rhodiola rosea is a primary adaptogen in this product, known for its extensive benefits related to stress reduction, energy enhancement, and mood support. However, the explicitly listed 60mg dosage is considerably lower than the 200-600mg commonly used in clinical studies, which limits its potential for significant impact compared to single-ingredient Rhodiola products.
Cordyceps 45.0
Cordyceps militaris is included for its purported benefits in supporting energy, endurance, and immune function. Unfortunately, the listed 40mg is a significantly underdosed quantity, as effective therapeutic doses typically range from 500mg to 1000mg or more, making its contribution to these collections minimal.
Goals
Stress Relief 75.0
The core strength of this product lies in its adaptogenic properties, with Rhodiola and Rhaponticum being key ingredients known for their efficacy in helping the body adapt to and mitigate the physiological impacts of stress. These botanicals are specifically chosen for their ability to support adrenal function and promote resilience under pressure.
Energy 70.0
Both Rhodiola and Cordyceps are esteemed adaptogens prized for their capacity to enhance stamina, combat fatigue, and support natural energy levels without relying on stimulants. Their synergistic presence in the formula offers a genuine contribution to sustained energy, though the individual doses are on the lower side.
Mood Support 65.0
Rhodiola rosea is a recognized adaptogen that can positively influence mood by helping the body manage stress and reduce fatigue-related emotional symptoms. While its inclusion provides a foundation for mood support, the conservative dosage might offer only modest benefits for more significant mood challenges.
85 Value

Adrenal Serenity

Natural Factors Stress-Relax
4.7
(5276 ratings)
This product offers a balanced blend of key adaptogens including Ashwagandha (250mg), Eleuthero (150mg), and Rhodiola (75mg), providing comprehensive adrenal and stress support at a much more affordable price per serving (22 cents) compared to the original.
83 Value

Adrenal Optimizer

Jarrow Formulas
4.6
(2117 ratings)
Featuring a diverse mix of adaptogens like Rhodiola (100mg), Ashwagandha, and Eleuthero, alongside B vitamins, this alternative provides broader adrenal support and stress relief with transparent dosages, all at a significantly lower price per serving (27 cents).
80 Value

Energy

NOW
4.5
(1749 ratings)
This product delivers a comprehensive energy blend with 100mg Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng, Eleuthero, Green Tea, and B vitamins, offering a broader spectrum of benefits for energy, focus, and fitness at a highly competitive price per serving (30 cents), surpassing the original in ingredient potency and value for related goals.
92 Performance

Genius Joy

The Genius Brand
5.0
(1120 ratings)
This product provides a highly comprehensive blend for mood, focus, and energy, featuring a robust 300mg of Rhodiola along with other well-dosed ingredients like Ashwagandha, 5-HTP, L-Theanine, and Panax Ginseng, offering significantly more potent and transparent support than the original.
88 Performance

Sunny Mood with Rhodiola

Irwin Naturals
4.4
(795 ratings)
With 340mg of Rhodiola and a blend of other mood-supporting botanicals like L-Theanine, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, and Saffron, this alternative offers a much higher and more effective dose of Rhodiola, alongside a synergistic formulation for comprehensive mood and stress relief.
87 Performance

Cordyceps-M Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(6739 ratings)
This alternative provides a substantial 1000mg dose of pure Cordyceps militaris extract, offering significantly more potent support for energy, fitness, and immunity than the original product's minimal 40mg, and it comes from a brand recognized for high-quality mushroom supplements.
70 Budget

Full Spectrum Rhodiola Holy Basil Valerian Stress Complex

Swanson Premium Brand
4.6
(270 ratings)
This alternative offers Rhodiola combined with other potent stress-relief herbs like Holy Basil and Valerian at a significantly lower price per serving (8 cents vs 124 cents), providing excellent value for general stress management and mood support.
85 Budget

Rhodiola 500 mg

NOW
4.6
(8066 ratings)
Offering 500mg of Rhodiola per serving for just 23 cents, this product provides a much higher and more therapeutically relevant dose of Rhodiola compared to the original product's 60mg, making it a far more effective and budget-friendly option for targeted Rhodiola benefits.
80 Budget

Ultra Cordyceps 750 mg

Doctor's Best
4.7
(2489 ratings)
With 750mg of Cordyceps extract per serving at 21 cents, this alternative delivers a substantially higher and more effective dose of Cordyceps for energy and fitness support than the original product's minimal 40mg, representing a superior value.
85 Value

Adrenal Serenity

Natural Factors Stress-Relax
4.7
(5276 ratings)
This product offers a balanced blend of key adaptogens including Ashwagandha (250mg), Eleuthero (150mg), and Rhodiola (75mg), providing comprehensive adrenal and stress support at a much more affordable price per serving (22 cents) compared to the original.
83 Value

Adrenal Optimizer

Jarrow Formulas
4.6
(2117 ratings)
Featuring a diverse mix of adaptogens like Rhodiola (100mg), Ashwagandha, and Eleuthero, alongside B vitamins, this alternative provides broader adrenal support and stress relief with transparent dosages, all at a significantly lower price per serving (27 cents).
80 Value

Energy

NOW
4.5
(1749 ratings)
This product delivers a comprehensive energy blend with 100mg Rhodiola, Panax Ginseng, Eleuthero, Green Tea, and B vitamins, offering a broader spectrum of benefits for energy, focus, and fitness at a highly competitive price per serving (30 cents), surpassing the original in ingredient potency and value for related goals.
92 Performance

Genius Joy

The Genius Brand
5.0
(1120 ratings)
This product provides a highly comprehensive blend for mood, focus, and energy, featuring a robust 300mg of Rhodiola along with other well-dosed ingredients like Ashwagandha, 5-HTP, L-Theanine, and Panax Ginseng, offering significantly more potent and transparent support than the original.
88 Performance

Sunny Mood with Rhodiola

Irwin Naturals
4.4
(795 ratings)
With 340mg of Rhodiola and a blend of other mood-supporting botanicals like L-Theanine, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, and Saffron, this alternative offers a much higher and more effective dose of Rhodiola, alongside a synergistic formulation for comprehensive mood and stress relief.
87 Performance

Cordyceps-M Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(6739 ratings)
This alternative provides a substantial 1000mg dose of pure Cordyceps militaris extract, offering significantly more potent support for energy, fitness, and immunity than the original product's minimal 40mg, and it comes from a brand recognized for high-quality mushroom supplements.