Does saffron help with depression and anxiety?

A 2026 review of 34 trials found saffron eased self-reported depression and anxiety scores. Clinician-rated scores did not change.

Published October 2026

Short answer

Saffron may modestly ease self-reported low mood and anxiety. Clinician-rated scores did not change, and the trials are small and uneven. Evidence grade B (Moderate). Meta-analysis of 34 RCTs (1,769 people), downgraded once for inconsistency (very high heterogeneity); clinician-rated scales showed no effect in the same review.

Key takeaways

Across 34 randomised trials with 1,769 people, saffron lowered self-reported depression scores compared with control groups [1].
Anxiety scores also fell, but across only six trials with 339 people, and the trials disagreed widely [1].
Clinician-rated depression and anxiety scales showed no significant benefit in the same review [1].
In an eight-trial review, saffron did not differ significantly from SSRI antidepressants on depression scores, and it reported fewer adverse events [2].

The short version

Saffron may modestly ease self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a 2026 review of 34 randomised trials [1]. Scores that a clinician rates did not change in that review [1]. The trials vary a lot in size and results, so this is early evidence rather than a settled answer [1].

What the studies show

Depression. Across 14 trials with 817 people, saffron lowered scores on the Beck Depression Inventory by about 4 points more than control groups [1]. An earlier 2019 meta-analysis of nine trials in mild to moderate depression found saffron more effective than placebo, with an effect size of 0.89 [3].

Anxiety. Six trials with 339 people found anxiety scores about 5 points lower on the Beck Anxiety Inventory [1]. The same review found very high variation between trials [1].

Compared with antidepressants. In a 2025 meta-analysis of eight trials, saffron and SSRI antidepressants did not differ significantly on depression scores [2]. Participants on saffron reported fewer adverse events than those on SSRIs [2].

Newer trials. A 2025 trial of 202 adults with depressive symptoms gave 28 mg of saffron extract a day for 12 weeks [4]. Its main depression score fell about 3 points more than placebo, while the secondary measures showed no clear difference [4].

Trials that did not find a benefit. A 2025 trial of 51 healthy adults with subclinical symptoms found no effect on a combined score of depression, anxiety and fatigue after six weeks [5]. A 2018 trial of 60 women with depression and hot flashes did find a larger improvement on a clinician-rated depression scale than placebo [6].

Smaller positive trials. A 2016 trial of 60 adults with depression and anxiety gave 50 mg twice a day for 12 weeks, and both questionnaire scores improved more than placebo [7].

The nuances

Dose matters in one trial. In a 2017 trial of 128 people with low mood, 28 mg a day improved mood scores over four weeks, but 22 mg a day did not [8].
Sponsor links. The largest trial, with 202 adults, had two authors who work for the company that sponsored it [4].
Placebo response. The same trial reported large placebo responses, which makes the gap against placebo harder to read [4].
Antidepressants. A 2016 trial of 40 people with major depression found no added benefit from saffron on top of fluoxetine, because both groups improved about equally [9].
Side effects. The 2025 trial of 202 adults reported no serious adverse reactions [4].
Toxic doses. None of the trials cited here tested toxic doses. A review of crocin, a compound in saffron, reported no major toxicity in experimental models, which is not the same as human safety data [10].
Medicine interactions. The cited studies report little on interactions. One small trial gave saffron with fluoxetine and saw no added benefit [9].
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The cited trials did not report pregnancy safety. One trial enrolled breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression [11].
Other conditions. Anyone with kidney, liver or bleeding conditions should talk to a doctor before trying it.

What this means for you

The evidence supports saffron as a possible add-on for self-reported low mood, not as a treatment for depression or anxiety [1]. If you take antidepressants or have a diagnosed condition, talk to a doctor first. The full picture is on the saffron topic page.

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Saffron — Saffron may modestly ease self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a 2026 meta-analysis of 34 trials.