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.

2linked conditions

11linked studies

On this pageEvidence Availability Outcomes & conditions →

Evidence

What the research actually shows

We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.

Evidence analytics

Where the evidence is concentrated

Number of audited published findings for Saffron by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.

Putative uses

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.

Safety notes: Toxic above ~5 g/day. Contraindicated in pregnancy at supplement doses.

Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.

11studies referenced

9journals

2014–2025publication range

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 ↗02An 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 ↗03Comparative efficacy and tolerability of nutraceuticals for depressive disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysisCheng YC, et al. · Psychological medicine · 2025PMID 40314175 ↗04New 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 ↗05Clinician 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) Taskforce

Search PubMed ↗Find clinical trials ↗

What trials found, in numbers

Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.

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” or “Unclear”). It is a study result — not advice, and not a promise it will work for you.
Evidence: How strong the research behind that result is. A meta-analysis pools many studies (strongest); a systematic review collates them; an RCT tests against a control (placebo); observational studies only watch — they can suggest, not prove.
Effect size: How large the measured change was, exactly as the researchers published it. “No number reported” means the abstract gave no effect size — we never invent one.

In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.

Depression (2 outcomes)

Outcome measured	What trials found	Effect size	People studied	Duration	Type of evidence	Study
Depressive symptoms (placebo-controlled trials)	Saffron had large antidepressant treatment effects compared with placebo across the identified clinical trials.Benefit seen	no number reported	—	—	Systematic review · 2014	PMID 25384672
Depressive symptoms (vs antidepressant medication)	Saffron showed similar antidepressant efficacy compared with standard antidepressant medications in the identified trials.Unclear	no number reported	—	—	Systematic review · 2014	PMID 25384672

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

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.

Outcomes & conditions →

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.

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