GradedHealth

Saffron

Last reviewed October 2026 · Based on 15 studies

Bottom line

Saffron may modestly ease self-reported depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a 2026 meta-analysis of 34 trials. Clinician-rated scores did not change in that review, and the trials are small and inconsistent. The trials reported no serious adverse reactions in the largest recent study.

What it helps with

  • Eases low mood and depression symptoms — Benefit, evidence grade B (Moderate). Meta-analysis of 34 RCTs (817 people on the depression scale); downgraded once for inconsistency (I2 about 92%). Clinician-rated scales show no effect.
  • Eases anxiety symptoms — Benefit, evidence grade C (Limited). Meta-analysis of six trials (339 people); downgraded for inconsistency (I2 about 95%) and small total sample.
  • Lowers depression scores rated by a clinician — Mixed results, evidence grade C (Limited). Meta-analysis found no significant effect on HDRS or HARS; one 60-person trial found a larger HDRS improvement. Mixed results from small studies.

What it is

Saffron is the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus flower. It is used as a spice, and studied as capsules or standardised extracts such as affron [1].

How it might work

Proposed mechanisms include serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. These are drawn from a narrative review of in vivo and in vitro studies, not from human trials [2].

What the research says

A 2026 meta-analysis of 34 randomised trials found that saffron lowered self-reported depression scores by about 4 points compared with control groups across 14 trials [3]. Anxiety scores fell by about 5 points across six trials with 339 people, with very high variation between trials [3]. An earlier 2019 meta-analysis of nine trials in mild to moderate depression found saffron more effective than placebo [4].

Clinician-rated depression and anxiety scales (HDRS, HARS) showed no significant effect in the 2026 review [3]. A 2018 trial in 60 women with depression and hot flashes did find a larger improvement on the clinician-rated Hamilton scale [5]. A 2025 trial of 51 healthy adults with subclinical symptoms found no effect on a combined mood score [6].

In a 2025 meta-analysis of eight trials, saffron and SSRI antidepressants did not differ significantly on depression scores [7].

Doses used in studies

Doses and durations from the trials, not recommendations. 28 mg a day for 12 weeks in 202 adults [1]. 28 mg a day for four weeks helped mood, while 22 mg a day did not [8]. 50 mg twice a day for 12 weeks in adults with depression and anxiety [9]. 15 mg twice a day for eight weeks in postpartum mothers [10].

Safety and interactions

Side effects: the 2025 trial of 202 adults reported no serious adverse reactions [1]. In a 2025 meta-analysis, participants on saffron reported fewer adverse events than those on SSRIs [7].

Upper limits: none of the cited trials tested toxic doses. A review of crocin reported no major toxicity in experimental models, not in people [11].

Medicine interactions: the cited studies report little on this. One small trial gave saffron with fluoxetine and saw no added benefit [12].

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the cited trials did not report pregnancy safety. One trial enrolled breastfeeding mothers with postpartum depression [10].

People with kidney, liver or bleeding conditions, and anyone taking antidepressants, should talk to a doctor before taking saffron.

Caveats and open questions

The 2026 review found very high variation between trials, and clinician-rated scales did not show benefit [3]. The largest recent trial reported large placebo responses, and two of its authors work for the sponsoring company [1]. A 2025 trial in healthy adults with subclinical symptoms found no effect on its main mood score [6].

References

  1. An 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 Trial.. J Nutr, 2025.
  2. Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action.. Hum Psychopharmacol, 2014.
  3. Effect of saffron on depression, anxiety and mood disorder: a GRADE assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials.. Nutr Neurosci, 2026.
  4. The Efficacy of Saffron in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Meta-analysis.. Planta Med, 2019.
  5. Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) in treatment of major depressive disorder associated with post-menopausal hot flashes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.. Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2018.
  6. Effect of saffron extract supplementation on mood in healthy adults with subclinical symptoms of depression: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.. Am J Clin Nutr, 2025.
  7. Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.. Nutr Rev, 2025.
  8. affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial.. Complement Ther Med, 2017.
  9. A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression.. J Complement Integr Med, 2016.
  10. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of saffron stigma (Crocus sativus L.) in mothers suffering from mild-to-moderate postpartum depression.. Phytomedicine, 2017.
  11. Bioactivity assessment and toxicity of crocin: a comprehensive review.. Food Chem Toxicol, 2014.
  12. Study the effects of saffron on depression and lipid profiles: A double blind comparative study.. Asian J Psychiatr, 2016.