- Depression symptomsMixed results1 review of trials · no comparable figure reported1 of 2 results reported a benefit2014 study ↗
herb
Saffron
Also known as Crocus sativus
Spice from the stigmas of Crocus sativus; its crocin and safranal compounds inhibit serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline reuptake, with small trials showing effects on mild-to-moderate depression comparable to low-dose SSRIs.
Reported side effects:No consistent adverse-event pattern identified across randomised trials at 15-30 mg/day standardised saffron extract (review reports a favourable safety profile)Adverse events reported less often than with SSRIs in head-to-head randomised trials
Be careful if: pregnant, breastfeeding
Suspect a side effect? Report it to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme ↗
4linked conditions
12linked studies
Evidence
What the research actually shows
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
What studies found
The headline results, condition by condition
The large figures are what the studies reported for each thing they measured. Open a card for every result.
Colour keyReported a benefitNo clear benefitUnclearPossible harmAmber is for highlights, such as where the most research is. It never means a result was good.
Safety
Safety and considerations
What sources report about side effects, who should be careful, and medicines to ask about first.
Reported side effects
| Reported effect | How often | Basis | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| No consistent adverse-event pattern identified across randomised trials at 15-30 mg/day standardised saffron extract (review reports a favourable safety profile) | unknown | Listed by PubMed corpus rows (PubMed 42858054) | Systematic review of 31 RCTs incl. 19 saffron RCTs (stress-related mental health), J Vis Exp 2026, PMID 42858054 |
| Adverse events reported less often than with SSRIs in head-to-head randomised trials | unknown | Listed by PubMed corpus rows (PubMed 38913392) | Nutr Rev 2025 meta-analysis, saffron vs SSRIs, PMID 38913392 |
Be careful if you…
| Applies to | What sources say | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| pregnant | Higher-dose saffron has been linked to uterine stimulation and increased miscarriage risk, and low-dose saffron (around 250 mg daily) near term has been associated with cervical ripening and shorter labour. Saffron supplements are not advised in pregnancy without medical advice. | Integrative review, saffron use in pregnancy and childbirth, J Evid Based Integr Med 2026, PMID 42186868 |
| breastfeeding | No lactation safety data were identified in the retrieved reviews (the pregnancy integrative review and the stress/mood systematic review do not cover breastfeeding). Not advised while breastfeeding without medical advice. | Integrative review, saffron use in pregnancy and childbirth, J Evid Based Integr Med 2026, PMID 42186868Systematic review of 31 RCTs incl. 19 saffron RCTs (stress-related mental health), J Vis Exp 2026, PMID 42858054 |
Evidence analytics
Where the evidence is concentrated
Audited published research for Saffron by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Saffron: findings by condition
What this means: Bars count reported findings, not treatment effectiveness or certainty.
One study may report several findings or appear in more than one pairing. Counts do not show the size of an effect. Comparable numerical estimates are not established for this summary.
View the full data table
| Compound and condition | Findings (count) | Studies (count) | Reported results (finding counts) | How sure? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 2 | 1 | Benefit: 1; no benefit: 0; harm: 0; unclear: 1; not recorded / unrecognised: 0 | Not formally graded |
Suggested uses (unproven)
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
- Moderate evidenceMild-moderate depressive symptoms (small RCTs, some vs fluoxetine)
- Weak evidencePMS symptoms
- Weak evidenceSleep/sexual function adjuncts
Where the evidence is negative
Common claims the trials do not support
- Trial sizes are small (mostly <70) and mostly Iranian single-centre — replication needed.
- No evidence at culinary doses; trials use 28-30 mg/day standardised extract.
Crocus stigma with surprising but small depression RCTs; doses used are far above culinary amounts.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
12studies referenced
10journals
2011–2025publication range
Ordered by strength of evidence, then result direction.
01Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled TrialsShafiee A, et al. · Nutrition reviews · 2025PMID 38913392 ↗02Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysisCheng YC, et al. · Psychological medicine · 2025PMID 40314175 ↗03New horizons for the study of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its active ingredients in the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders: A systematic review of clinical evidence and mechanismsHan S, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2024PMID 38424688 ↗04Clinician guidelines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders with nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals: The World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) and Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) TaskforceSarris J, et al. · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry · 2022PMID 35311615 ↗05Medicinal herbs for the treatment of anxiety: A systematic review and network meta-analysisZhang W, et al. · Pharmacological research · 2022PMID 35378276 ↗06Herbal medicine for depression and anxiety: A systematic review with assessment of potential psycho-oncologic relevanceYeung KS, et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2018PMID 29464801 ↗Show all 12 studies
07Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated reviewSarris J · Phytotherapy research : PTR · 2018PMID 29575228 ↗08Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of actionLopresti AL, et al. · Human psychopharmacology · 2014PMID 25384672 ↗09An Examination into the Effects of a Saffron Extract (Affron) on Mood and General Wellbeing in Adults Experiencing Low Mood: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled TrialLopresti AL, et al. · The Journal of nutrition · 2025PMID 40414301 ↗10Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical TrialPachikian BD, et al. · Nutrients · 2021PMID 33925432 ↗11affron(®) a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trialKell G, et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine · 2017PMID 28735826 ↗12Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus)Fukui H, et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology · 2011PMID 21242071 ↗
Published research results
Reported results grouped by condition. Values and units are preserved as recorded; missing information is not estimated.
How to read this table
- Benefit
- What the trial saw happen: whether the measured outcome moved in the helpful direction in that one study (the tag on each row: “Benefit seen”, “No clear benefit”, “Possible harm” or “Unclear”). It is a study result — not advice, and not a promise it will work for you.
- Evidence
- Study design describes how research was conducted. It is not a formal certainty assessment.
- Effect size
- The result recorded in this summary. “Not reported” means the value is missing from the summary; it does not establish that the publication omitted it.
Reported direction, numerical results and study design are separate. Certainty has not been formally graded in this table.
Depression (2 outcomes)
| What was measured | Reported findings | Result and units | Reported sample and duration | Study / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depressive symptoms (placebo-controlled trials) | Saffron had large antidepressant treatment effects compared with placebo across the identified clinical trials.Benefit seen | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2014 Study detailsSaffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. Systematic Review |
| Depressive symptoms (vs antidepressant medication) | Saffron showed similar antidepressant efficacy compared with standard antidepressant medications in the identified trials.Unclear | Not reported Recorded unit: Not reported | Sample (as reported): Not reported Follow-up: Not reported | Systematic review · 2014 Study detailsSaffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action. Systematic Review |
Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.
Outcomes & conditions
Outcomes & conditions →Why people look into Saffron — and what they report
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
Important: This page reflects observational, aggregate-only community reporting and independent published research. It is not medical advice, and it does not claim any compound treats, cures, or is effective for any condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or treatment.
Availability
Where to get Saffron (UK)
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.