Saffron
Evidence Fact Sheet
Crocus sativus
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is a carotenoid-rich spice whose actives crocin and safranal show serotonergic and antioxidant activity in research models. Studied at 20-100 mg/day standardized extract for mood, anxiety, retinal-function and metabolic markers. GRAS flavoring; no FDA/EFSA disease claim authorized.
Also known as: Saffron · Crocus sativus L. stigma extract · Crocin · Safranal · affron
Overview
Saffron is the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus flower, valued as a spice and studied as a botanical supplement. Its principal actives — the carotenoid crocin and the volatile safranal — show serotonergic modulation (proposed 5-HT reuptake inhibition), monoamine-oxidase inhibition, and free-radical scavenging in research models, which frames its investigation in mood, anxiety, vision and metabolic contexts. The dominant mood-RCT dose is roughly 28-30 mg/day of standardized stigma/petal extract over 6-8 weeks, with 20 mg/day used in retinal trials and 30-100 mg/day in metabolic studies; the branded affron spec is the most-studied. In the US it is GRAS as a flavoring and a legal dietary-supplement ingredient under DSHEA (structure/function claims only); EFSA has not authorized any specific saffron health claim, and ANVISA permits it as a flavoring without an authorized functional claim. This page reports research findings in studied populations and is not dosing or treatment guidance.
Mechanism of Action
Serotonergic modulation (crocin/safranal inhibit 5-HT reuptake; proposed antidepressant mechanism in research models) · Monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitory activity of safranal · Antioxidant / free-radical scavenging via carotenoid crocin (retinal + neuronal oxidative-stress reduction) · NF-kB pathway suppression (anti-inflammatory)
Body systems: Mood & Stress Response · Neurological & Cognitive · Vision · METABOLISM · Endocrine & Metabolic
Evidence-Based Benefits
Each benefit below is anchored to a specific PubMed-indexed study. Effect sizes, sample sizes, and p-values are reported as published; no values are inferred. Honest negatives and null results are kept alongside the positive findings, and disease-research populations are described as such — Saffron is not characterized as a treatment for any disease.
Depression Symptoms (Mood)
Meta-analysis supported- g = 0.891saffron vs placebo · p=0.001
- 95% CI 0.369-1.412pooled effect
- 9 RCTstrials pooled
In a meta-analysis of randomized trials, standardized saffron extract outperformed placebo for mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms with a moderate-to-large pooled effect size. This is the most replicated saffron research area, though the authors note the trials are small and short.
Reported effect: g = 0.891; 95% CI: 0.369 - 1.412, p = 0.001 (nine randomized trials)
“saffron is significantly more effective than placebo (g = 0.891; 95% CI: 0.369 - 1.412, p = 0.001)”
Source: PMID 30036891 · Tóth 2019 · Planta Med
Anxiety Symptoms
Meta-analysis supported- g = 0.95anxiety vs placebo · p<0.006
- g = 0.99depression vs placebo · p<0.001
A separate systematic review and meta-analysis reported a large positive pooled effect size for saffron versus placebo on anxiety symptoms, alongside a large effect on depressive symptoms. The abstract reports effect sizes (Hedges' g) but does not break out trial counts or sample size for the anxiety outcome.
Reported effect: anxiety symptoms g = 0.95, P < 0.006; depressive symptoms g = 0.99, P < 0.001 (vs placebo)
“Saffron had a large positive effect size when compared with placebo for depressive symptoms (g = 0.99, P < 0.001) and anxiety symptoms (g = 0.95, P < 0.006).”
Source: PMID 31135916 · Marx 2019 · Nutr Rev
Metabolic Markers (Glucose & Waist Circumference)
Meta-analysis supported- -6.54 mg/dlfasting glucose · WMD
- -2.18 cmwaist circumference · WMD
- 595 participants9 articles, 12 arms
A systematic review and meta-analysis found saffron significantly reduced fasting plasma glucose and waist circumference versus control. The same analysis found no significant effect on HbA1c, an honest mixed picture within the metabolic outcomes.
Reported effect: fasting glucose WMD -6.54 mg/dl (95% CI -10.22, -2.85); waist circumference WMD -2.18 cm (95% CI -4.05, -0.32); HbA1c no significant effect (WMD -0.13, 95% CI -0.31, 0.04); 595 participants
“FPG (WMD: -6.54 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -10.22, -2.85) following saffron intervention ... WC was significantly reduced (WMD: -2.18 cm, 95 % CI: -4.05, -0.32) ... no significant effect on HA1C levels (WMD: -0.13 mg/dl, 95 % CI: -0.31, 0.04)”
Source: PMID 32147057 · Rahmani 2020 · Complement Ther Med
Sexual Dysfunction
Meta-analysis supported- Std diff 0.81195% CI 0.356-1.265
- 5 studies173 participants
A systematic review and meta-analysis across men and women reported a statistically significant positive pooled effect of saffron on sexual dysfunction. Evidence rests on a small pooled sample, so the finding is preliminary.
Reported effect: Std diff in means = 0.811; 95% CI 0.356-1.265 (5 studies, 173 participants)
“The analysis showed a statistically significant positive effect of saffron on sexual dysfunction (Std diff in means=0.811; 95% CI, 0.356-1.265)”
Source: PMID 31516855 · Ranjbar 2019 · Avicenna J Phytomed
Retinal Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Null / no benefit RCT supported- p<0.001mfERG density rings 1,2 & overall
- 1.6 letters worseBCVA at 12 mo · p<0.05
- 93 participants20 mg/day saffron
In an AMD trial, 20 mg/day saffron improved retinal electrical response (multifocal ERG density) at 12 months. However, best-corrected visual acuity was 1.6 letters worse — an honest negative the authors attribute to possible cataract progression rather than saffron itself. A functional retinal signal did not translate into better measured vision.
Reported effect: mfERG response density significantly higher in rings 1, 2 and overall (p<0.001); BCVA 1.6 letters worse (p<0.05) at 12 months; n=93
“At 12 months, mean mfERG response density was significantly higher in rings 1, 2 and overall (p<0.001 for all) ... Mean BCVA was 1.6 letters worse (p<0.05) with no difference between those on AREDS supplements or not, and this may have been related to cataract progression.”
Source: PMID 38485112 · Broadhead 2024 · BMJ Open Ophthalmol
Dosage (research context · not a recommendation)
28-30 mg/day standardized stigma/petal extract is the dominant mood-RCT dose (6-8 wk); 20 mg/day for retinal/AMD trials (3-6+ months); 30-100 mg/day in metabolic trials. affron (3.5% Lepticrosalides) is the most-studied branded spec. Educational reference, not a dosing recommendation.
Regulatory Status · 4 Markets
- US · FDA
- GRAS as a flavoring/spice (long food-use history); legal dietary-supplement ingredient under DSHEA (structure/function claims only); no FDA-authorized disease claim
- EU · EFSA
- Marketable as a traditional food / flavoring ingredient; EFSA has NOT authorized any specific saffron health claim — functional copy limited to ingredient-fact / mechanism description
- CN · China
- Traditional medicinal material (xihonghua); marketable in registered SAMR health food (blue-hat) and via cross-border e-commerce; not authorized for direct common-food use.
- BR · ANVISA
- Permitted as a food flavoring; as a supplement ingredient subject to ANVISA approval (RDC 243/2018); no Anexo V functional claim authorized for saffron
Safety
Generally well tolerated at 30-100 mg/day in 6-12 wk RCTs (AE rate ~placebo; mild GI upset, dry mouth, dizziness); meta-analyses found no adverse effect on renal or liver markers. Doses >=200 mg/day may cause adverse effects; very large doses are toxic. Avoid high-dose use in pregnancy (traditional uterotonic concern); theoretical serotonin-syndrome risk when combined with SSRIs/SNRIs warrants medical consultation. Not a substitute for prescribed antidepressant medication.
Related
Goals: cognitive-support · eye-protection
Lifestyles: high-stress
References
PubMed-indexed citations anchoring the benefit findings above. Effect sizes are reported as published.
- PMID 30036891 · Tóth 2019 · Planta Med — Depression Symptoms (Mood)
- PMID 31135916 · Marx 2019 · Nutr Rev — Anxiety Symptoms
- PMID 32147057 · Rahmani 2020 · Complement Ther Med — Metabolic Markers (Glucose & Waist Circumference)
- PMID 31516855 · Ranjbar 2019 · Avicenna J Phytomed — Sexual Dysfunction
- PMID 38485112 · Broadhead 2024 · BMJ Open Ophthalmol — Retinal Function in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is saffron and what are its active compounds?
Saffron is the dried red stigma of the Crocus sativus flower, used as a spice and studied as a botanical supplement. Its principal actives are the carotenoid crocin and the volatile safranal, which in research models show serotonergic modulation, monoamine-oxidase inhibition, and antioxidant free-radical scavenging.
2. What is the most established research area for saffron?
Mood is the most replicated area: a meta-analysis of nine randomized trials (Tóth 2019, PMID 30036891) found saffron significantly more effective than placebo for mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms (g = 0.891). A separate meta-analysis (Marx 2019, PMID 31135916) also reported a large positive effect on anxiety symptoms (g = 0.95). These are research findings in studied populations, not a treatment claim.
3. Are there any honest negative or mixed findings?
Yes. In an AMD trial (Broadhead 2024, PMID 38485112), 20 mg/day saffron improved retinal electrical response (mfERG, p<0.001) but best-corrected visual acuity was 1.6 letters worse at 12 months, which the authors attributed to possible cataract progression. And in the metabolic meta-analysis (Rahmani 2020, PMID 32147057), saffron reduced fasting glucose and waist circumference but had no significant effect on HbA1c.
4. What doses were used in saffron research, and is it approved for any health claim?
Mood RCTs most often used about 28-30 mg/day of standardized extract over 6-8 weeks; retinal trials used 20 mg/day and metabolic trials 30-100 mg/day. Saffron is GRAS as a flavoring and a legal supplement ingredient under DSHEA in the US (structure/function claims only); EFSA has not authorized any specific saffron health claim. This page reports evidence and is not dosing or treatment guidance.
Last evidence review: 2026-06-13