Remedy · herb
Saffron
Also: Crocus sativus, saffron extract
The cooking spice has surprisingly consistent trial support for mild-to-moderate depression.
Evidence by condition
Each grade reflects the research for Saffron and that condition specifically.
- BDepression
Across several meta-analyses, ~30 mg/day reduces depression symptoms more than placebo and about as much as standard antidepressants; trials are small, short, and concentrated in Iranian research groups.
2 citation s
- Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials Meta-analysis 2013 · Journal of Integrative Medicine · PMID 24299602 · DOI 10.3736/jintegrmed2013056
- Comparative efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. for treating mild to moderate major depressive disorder in adults: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Meta-analysis 2018 · Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment · PMID 29849461 · DOI 10.2147/NDT.S165125
- Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- BAnxiety & stress
Meta-analysis shows a large reduction in anxiety symptoms versus placebo (Hedges g ≈ 0.95); trials are small, short, and geographically concentrated.
2 citation s
- Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis Meta-analysis 2019 · Nutrition Reviews · PMID 31135916 · DOI 10.1093/nutrit/nuz023
- affron, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Randomized trial 2018 · n=80 · Journal of Affective Disorders · PMID 29510352 · DOI 10.1016/j.jad.2018.02.026
- Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis
The same spice used in cooking has, at supplement doses (~30 mg/day), repeatedly matched standard antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression in trials — though most studies are small and from a few research groups, so larger independent trials are still needed.