Saffron for Parkinson's disease: a 92-person trial found better mood, sleep and less fatigue

In 92 people with Parkinson's, 100 mg of saffron a day for 12 weeks eased anxiety, depression, fatigue and poor sleep versus placebo. It is one trial.

Published October 2026

Short answer

Early but encouraging: one triple-blind trial found saffron improved mood, fatigue, sleep and quality of life in Parkinson's. A single trial with many outcomes, so a first signal only. Evidence grade C (Limited). One small triple-blind randomised trial (92 people, 12 weeks) with many outcomes; downgraded for small sample and being a single trial.

Key takeaways

In a triple-blind trial of 92 people with Parkinson's disease, 100 mg of saffron powder a day for 12 weeks lowered anxiety (adjusted difference -4.75, 95% CI -8.30 to -1.20), depression (-4.58, 95% CI -8.34 to -0.81) and distress (-4.40, 95% CI -8.43 to -0.37) compared with placebo [1].
Fatigue (-9.20, 95% CI -13.76 to -4.65), sleep quality, cognitive status and quality-of-life measures including mobility and daily activity also improved [1].
C-reactive protein, a blood marker of inflammation, fell by 3.84 mg/L (95% CI -5.61 to -2.08), but pooled earlier trials found saffron did not change C-reactive protein overall [1][2].
No side effects were observed in either group [1].
It is a single trial that tested many outcomes, and its reported results cover mood, fatigue, sleep and quality of life, not movement symptoms [1].

What the study did

Parkinson's disease is linked to oxidative stress, and saffron has antioxidant properties, but the authors noted there were limited human studies of saffron in Parkinson's [1]. In this triple-blind, randomised trial, 92 patients (average age 68) took 100 mg of saffron powder or a placebo every day for 12 weeks. Analysis followed the intention-to-treat approach, meaning everyone randomised was counted [1].

What it found

Compared with placebo, saffron lowered anxiety, depression and distress scores, and also fatigue, and improved sleep quality and cognitive status [1]. Quality-of-life measures improved too, including mobility, daily activity, cognitive impairment, bodily discomfort and the Parkinson's Disease Summary Index (-4.86, 95% CI -7.48 to -2.25) [1]. C-reactive protein fell by 3.84 mg/L (95% CI -5.61 to -2.08), while a marker of oxidative damage, malondialdehyde, showed a marginal drop that was not statistically significant (p = 0.07) [1]. The authors observed no side effects [1].

How it fits

In people with depression and anxiety more generally, a 2020 meta-analysis of 21 trials found saffron lowered Beck depression (-4.86 points), Beck anxiety (-5.29) and sleep quality scores (-2.22), but not clinician-rated scales or C-reactive protein [3]. The new trial's mood and sleep results point the same way. Its C-reactive protein result is out of step: a 2021 meta-analysis of eight trials found no overall change in this marker (-0.43 mg/L, 95% CI -1.04 to 0.17) [2]. The 100 mg daily dose is also higher than the 28 mg a day used in the largest recent trial in low mood [4].

Limits

This is one trial of 92 people over 12 weeks, so it cannot show lasting benefit, effects on disease progression or how well saffron works alongside Parkinson's medicines [1]. Many outcomes were tested, and the larger the list of outcomes, the more likely some will look positive by chance. The reported results cover mood, fatigue, sleep, cognition and quality of life, not movement symptoms such as tremor and stiffness, which are central to Parkinson's [1]. Interactions between saffron and Parkinson's drugs were not reported. This is not medical advice: saffron should not replace Parkinson's treatment, and people with Parkinson's should check with their neurologist before adding supplements. See the Saffron page for its other uses and safety.

Go deeper

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