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Moderate evidenceStress & mood

Saffron Extract

Saffron has repeatedly beaten placebo and matched fluoxetine for mild-to-moderate depression in randomized trials, and the effect sizes are large enough to be suspicious. The trials are small, short and overwhelmingly from one country, so treat this as promising rather than settled.

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What the science says

  • Mild-to-moderate depression Moderate evidence

    A meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials in major depressive disorder found saffron substantially superior to placebo, with a large pooled effect size. Trials typically used 30 mg/day for 6-8 weeks with fewer than 50 participants each, and nearly all were conducted in Iran, raising real concerns about publication bias and generalizability.

  • Comparison with SSRIs Moderate evidence

    A comparative meta-analysis found saffron produced reductions in depression scores similar to fluoxetine and imipramine in mild-to-moderate MDD, with fewer reported side effects. The comparisons are non-inferiority-style analyses in small samples over 6-8 weeks; they do not establish saffron as an alternative in moderate-to-severe or treatment-resistant depression.

  • Anxiety and PMS symptoms Limited evidence

    Small trials report reductions in anxiety scores and in premenstrual symptom severity at 30 mg/day, sometimes with saffron and crocin fractions. These are single small studies per indication and none has been convincingly replicated outside the original research groups.

  • Retinal health in age-related macular degeneration Limited evidence

    Small crossover trials of saffron 20 mg/day report improved retinal flicker sensitivity and modest visual acuity gains in early AMD. Participant numbers are in the tens and follow-up is short, so this remains exploratory.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseAlmost all mood trials use 30 mg/day of a standardized stigma extract, usually 15 mg twice daily, for 6-8 weeks. Extracts are typically standardized to 2% safranal or a defined crocin content; the raw spice at culinary amounts does not reach trial doses.
SafetyAt 30 mg/day the common side effects are nausea, appetite change, headache and dry mouth. Dose matters enormously: doses above about 1.5 g/day are toxic, and around 5 g can be lethal, with reports of bleeding, vomiting and organ toxicity. Saffron is a traditional abortifacient and should be avoided in pregnancy. It may add to the effect of antidepressants (theoretical serotonergic interaction) and of anticoagulants and antiplatelets, and could lower blood pressure. Adulteration is rampant given saffron's price, so prefer extracts with third-party identity testing.

How to take it

Timing15 mg twice daily, morning and evening, as in almost every trial.
With food?With food, which reduces the nausea and appetite change some people get.
Worth knowingNever exceed the 30 mg trial dose — above about 1.5 g/day saffron is toxic, and adulteration is rampant given the spice's price, so insist on third-party identity testing.

Interactions

With medications

  • SSRIs and other antidepressants

    Saffron has serotonergic activity and performed comparably to fluoxetine in trials, so combining adds serotonergic load. do not combine without telling your prescriber

  • warfarin and antiplatelet drugs

    Saffron may add to bleeding risk. mention it to your doctor and stop before surgery

  • blood-pressure medication

    Saffron can lower blood pressure modestly. monitor blood pressure when starting

With other supplements

  • 5-HTP and St John's wort

    Additive serotonergic effect. do not combine

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does saffron work for depression?

Saffron has moderate evidence for mild-to-moderate depression: trials found it beat placebo and performed similarly to fluoxetine over 6-8 weeks. The trials are small and nearly all from Iran, so saffron is promising rather than settled, and not an alternative for severe depression.

How much saffron extract should I take?

Mood trials used 30 mg/day of standardised saffron extract, usually 15 mg twice daily with food. Culinary saffron does not reach trial doses, and you should never exceed the 30 mg trial dose.

Can saffron be taken with SSRIs?

Do not combine saffron with SSRIs or other antidepressants without telling your prescriber, since saffron has serotonergic activity. Avoid pairing saffron with 5-HTP or St John's wort, and mention it if you take warfarin or antiplatelet drugs.

Is saffron safe, and who should avoid it?

At 30 mg/day saffron's side effects are mild — nausea, appetite change, headache, dry mouth — but doses above about 1.5 g/day are toxic. Avoid saffron in pregnancy, as it is a traditional abortifacient, and choose extracts with third-party identity testing because adulteration is rampant.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Swanson Vitamins, Saffron Extract, 30 mg, 60 Vegan Caps

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