Saffron is a spice with antioxidant properties derived from the flowering plant Crocus sativus. When used as a supplement, saffron seems to be effective at reducing symptoms of depression and possibly anxiety.
Saffron is most often used for
Last Updated:March 17, 2024
Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a flowering plant in the iris family that is known for its taste, aroma, pigment, and medicinal properties, which make it the most expensive spice in the world, though it is primarily produced in Iran. The dried red stigmas of the plant are the most valued part and contain more than 150 bioactive compounds.
Saffron is a strong antioxidant that has shown benefits for reducing symptoms of minor to moderate depression; it often outperforms placebos and is comparable to some antidepressants. It may also help with anxiety symptoms, though this effect is less established, and further research with larger, more diverse populations is needed to confirm these findings.
Saffron's main drawbacks include potential safety concerns during pregnancy, common side effects like nausea and headache, and risks associated with high doses, such as vomiting and kidney damage. Additionally, the quality of saffron supplements can vary significantly due to factors like adulteration and sensitivity to environmental conditions, which necessitates third-party testing for assurance.
Saffron contains key active compounds such as crocin, crocetin, safranol, and picrocrocin, which can influence mood and cognition by affecting neurotransmitter reuptake and interacting with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. Additionally, saffron acts as an antioxidant to enhance antioxidant capacity and reduce oxidative stress in brain tissue.
Saffron is usually taken at a dosage of 15 mg twice daily, for a total of 30 mg daily. While higher doses have been used, there is no clear benefit to this, and there may be an increased risk of side effects. Doses above 5 grams (5,000 mg) are considered toxic and doses above 20 grams (20,000 mg) may be lethal.[1]
Saffron supplements usually contain saffron stigma extract, which is the most studied form. However, whole dehydrated stigma or petals are sometimes used, and preliminary research suggests they may also be effective.
Crocin, one of the major active compounds in saffron, can be taken in isolation at a similar dose as saffron. While some research in the realms of depression and metabolic health has demonstrated similar effects,[2][3] there’s currently not enough evidence to support taking crocin instead of regular saffron supplements. Additionally, some research suggests that crocin may increase serum creatinine levels, which could indicate a safety risk for the kidneys.[2]
Full FAQ and database update
We expanded the existing FAQs to include more information about how saffron works, its drawbacks, its traditional uses, and its effects on sleep, ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, sexual dysfunction, cardiometabolic health, and eye health. We also added the most up-to-date meta-analyses to the Examine database. There are no changes in the take-home message of any concepts on this page.
