SYS ONLINE
SUPPLEMENT_SCHOLAR
evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Herb

Saffron

aka Crocus sativus

Culinary spice with antidepressant effects comparable to SSRIs in mild-moderate depression.

Mood & AnxietyEye HealthWomen's Health

Overview

Dried stigmas of Crocus sativus, standardized to crocins and safranal.

Natural sources
  • Crocus sativus stigma
Common forms
  • Standardized extract (e.g., Affron®, Satiereal®)

Forms & variants of Saffron

Different chemical forms of Saffron behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Eye protocol
Saffron (Eye)

Crocin-rich saffron studied for AMD and visual function.

Mechanism of action

Inhibits serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine reuptake; modulates HPA axis.

Pathways
  • · Monoamine reuptake inhibition
  • · NMDA antagonism
Neurotransmitters
  • · Serotonin
  • · Dopamine

Effects on the body

Supports
Mood
Decreases
Premenstrual symptoms

Organ system effects

Brain & CNS

Antidepressant effects comparable to fluoxetine in mild-moderate depression.

Eye

Improves AMD outcomes in small trials.

Evidence-based benefits

Reduces mild-moderate depressive symptoms

Strong evidence

Reduces PMS symptoms

Moderate evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Headache
  • · Nausea (at high doses)
Rare
  • · Dry mouth
Serious
  • · Toxic >5 g/day

Drug interactions

SSRIs / MAOIs
Possible additive serotonergic effect.
moderate
Anticoagulants
Mild platelet effects.
minor

Safety & non-supplemental interactions

Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

Avoid if you are
  • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
  • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)

Supplement interactions

Pairs well with
  • Curcumin
    Synergistic antidepressant effects in trials.
Avoid combining with
  • Pregnancy (>5 g)
    Uterine stimulant at high doses.

Dosing & bioavailability

Typical dose
28–30 mg standardized extract
Timing
Daily
With food?
Either

Where to buy

Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

Herb
Saffron
Amazon
Wide selection · fast shipping
Herb
Saffron
iHerb
Global delivery · curated brands
Herb
Saffron
Thorne
Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

Scientific evidence (9)

RCTProg Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry · 2007

Saffron vs fluoxetine in major depression

Akhondzadeh Basti A, et al.

6-week RCT comparing 30 mg/d saffron vs 20 mg fluoxetine.

Key findings

Comparable efficacy on Hamilton Depression scale.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — Reduces mild-moderate depressive symptoms

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron Reduces mild-moderate depressive symptoms" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "Reduces mild-moderate depressive symptoms". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — Reduces PMS symptoms

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron Reduces PMS symptoms" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "Reduces PMS symptoms". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — randomized controlled trial

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — meta-analysis

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — pharmacokinetics

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — safety adverse events

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

PubMed: Saffron — dose response

Live PubMed search

Live results for "Saffron dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

Key findings

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Saffron and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Open study
Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

Google Scholar: Saffron — clinical evidence

Live Scholar search

Cross-database citation index for Saffron as it relates to "clinical evidence".

Key findings

Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

Open study
Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.