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Saf8.0
Saffron Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
62 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Saffron appears to help in 7 of 8 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2004–2026 with a typical study size of 70 participants.
Based on 62 studies · 18 meta-analyses · 16 RCTs · 28,326 total participants
Confidence
High
What the studies found
7helped1unclear· 54 more without graded effect data
By outcome
Depression & moodSignificant improvement in depressive symptoms · 4-8 weeks
Women's healthMay help reduce menstrual discomfort and PMS symptoms · 1-3 cycles
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Cognitive functionNeuroprotective crocin supports learning and memory · 4-8 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational5 studies
Sleep & insomniaModest sleep improvement · 4 weeks · Crocin and safranal promote relaxation and sleep onset · 2-4 weeks
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Cholesterol & lipids
Mostly mechanism / observational4 studies
Men's vitality
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies
Vision & eye healthCrocin protects retinal cells and improves visual function · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
Glucose & metabolic
Too few graded studies2 studies
Heart & blood pressure
Too few graded studies2 studies
Weight management
Too few graded studies2 studies
Focus & attentionImproves attention and processing speed in clinical trials · 4-8 weeks
Too few graded studies2 studies
By the numbers
Pulled from 35 studies with measurable effects
Likely real effects
60%
across studies
People studied
28k
typical study: 70 people
Strongest designs
34
18 pooled, 16 randomised
Showed benefit
88%
7/8 studies
How long studies ran
1–4 weeks
2
1–3 months
4
3+ months
1
Populations Studied
Patients with depression and anxiety2
Adults with mild-to-moderate depression2
Adults with depressive disorders1
ADHD patients1
Active research area
49 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2025
200420152026
1Depressive disorder symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 1×n=17,437 · very large study2025
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
Cheng YC et al. · Psychological medicine (2025)
Adjunctive nutraceuticals consistently showed better efficacy than antidepressants (ADT) alone in outcomes including SMD, remission, and response.
This extensive systematic review and NMA of nutraceuticals for treating depressive disorders indicated a number of nutraceuticals that could offer benefits, either as adjuncts or monotherapies.
3ADHD symptomsSystematic ReviewCited 3×n=118 · medium study2024
The results manifested an efficient role of saffron as either an adjuvant therapy to MPH or a single therapy against ADHD, without significant safety issues.
Seyedi-Sahebari S et al. · Journal of attention disorders (2024)
Future longer follow-up, larger samples, and more methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials are recommended to clearly establish the effects of different dosages on cognitive function and quality of life in stroke patients.
Li J et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2025)
John's Wort extract (SUCRA 71.2%) was the most effective in reducing NIHSS scores, Berberine (SUCRA 84.1%) was most effective in reducing mRS scores, and St.
John's Wort extract (SUCRA 99.1%) showed the highest efficacy in enhancing ADL scores.
Ginsenosides were the most effective in improving Barthel Index (SUCRA 74.7%), MMSE (SUCRA 93%), and MOCA (SUCRA 79.7%) scores.
Only ginger and black cumin reported a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin, and only cinnamon and ginger showed a significant decrease in insulin.
Garza MC et al. · Nutrients (2024)
Our results showed that cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, black cumin, and saffron significantly improved the fasting glucose levels in T2DM subjects.
The most significant decreases in fasting glucose were achieved after supplementation with black cumin, followed by cinnamon and ginger, which achieved a decrease of between 27 and 17 mg/dL.
Only ginger and black cumin reported a significant improvement in glycated hemoglobin, and only cinnamon and ginger showed a significant decrease in insulin.
This review concluded that C. sativus can improve the symptoms of several female reproductive system disorders, which is particularly due to the presence of phytochemical ingredients, such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal.
Hasheminasab FS et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2024)
These studies confirmed the efficacy of C. sativus or its main phytochemical ingredients in several aspects of the female reproductive system, including regulation of sex hormones, folliculogenesis, ovulation, and protection of the ovary and uterus against several oxidative stress.
Several retrieved studies indicated that this herb also can alleviate the symptoms of patients suffering from dysmenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, menopause, polycystic ovary disease (PCOD), and sexual dysfunction.
Furthermore, it is a promising candidate for future studies or even trials regarding ovarian and cervical cancers.
7Depressive symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 102×n=531 · large study2019
Saffron supplementation significantly reduced depressive symptoms compared to placebo and showed comparable efficacy to conventional antidepressants.
Tóth B et al. · Phytomedicine (2019)
Significant antidepressant effect vs placebo across 11 RCTs
Comparable efficacy to SSRIs (fluoxetine, citalopram) and imipramine
Both crocin and safranal components contributed to antidepressant effects
8Depression and anxiety symptomsMeta-AnalysisCited 12×2025
Saffron could be a potential SSRI alternative to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms with fewer adverse events.
Shafiee A et al. · Nutrition reviews (2025)
Saffron could be a potential SSRI alternative to reduce depressive and anxiety symptoms with fewer adverse events.
Further research with larger sample sizes and in diverse populations is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential moderators of treatment response.
9Insomnia improvementMeta-AnalysisCited 8×n=431 · medium study2022
This non-pharmacological intervention may reduce the chance of adults with insomnia taking sedative-hypnotic medication, thus reducing dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
Munirah MP et al. · International journal of environmental research and public health (2022)
Eight articles were included, involving 431 participants.
Although there is limited evidence of a very low- to moderate-quality, Crocus sativus may benefit people with insomnia.
This non-pharmacological intervention may reduce the chance of adults with insomnia taking sedative-hypnotic medication, thus reducing dependency and withdrawal symptoms.
Further high-quality studies should be conducted to establish the clinical efficacy of herbal medicines.
Correia AGDS et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Could be chance
The mean difference (MD) and the standardized MD (SMD) were adopted, and subgroup analyses were performed according to patient's clinical condition.
Saffron supplementation reduced FBG (MD: -9.06 mg/dl; 95%CI: -16.25 to -1.86; I2 = 40%; p = 0.12) and HbA1c (MD: -0.19%; 95%CI: -0.23 to -0.14; I2 = 0%; p > 0.99).
Our results show that using saffron and fenugreek can reduce FBG, PPBG, and HbA1c; however, there are some shortcomings that require attention for these results.
Saffron may exert protective roles for neurological and psychiatric disorders and represents a relatively favorable and safe treatment.
Han S et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
A random-effects or fixed-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effect sizes.
Saffron was more effective than placebo in improving cognition, depression with an overall effect size of -4.26 (95% CI: -5.76, -2.77), anxiety of -3.75 (95% CI: -5.83, -1.67), and sleep disorders of -1.91 (95% CI: -2.88, -0.93).
Forty-six RCTs were enrolled, and the duration of these trials ranged from 4 to 48 weeks with saffron or its extracts, both alone or in combination with conventional drugs.
Saffron and its major constituents employ anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant mechanisms in modulating several dysregulated-signaling pathways in NDDs.
Abdian S et al. · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2024)
Saffron and its major constituents employ anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant mechanisms in modulating several dysregulated-signaling pathways in NDDs.
However, further research is necessary to elucidate the precise underlying mechanisms in exploring the feasibility of using saffron active compounds against NDDs.
More studies should focus on dose-response relationships, long-term effects, highlighting key mechanisms, and designing more well-controlled clinical trials.
Data analysis showed that herbs like Gingko Biloba, Melissa Officinalis, Salvia officinalis, Ginseng and saffron alone or in combination with curcumin, low-fat diet, NuAD-Trail, and soy lecithin showed significant positive effects on AD.
Moreover, combination of natural and pharmaceuticals has far better effects than only allopathic treatment.
Thus, different herbal remedies in combination with FDA approved drugs are effective and more promising in treatment of AD.
15Treatment recommendations for nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals in psychiatric disordersMeta-AnalysisCited 117×2022
Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders.
Sarris J et al. · The world journal of biological psychiatry : the official journal of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (2022)
Based on the current data and clinician input, a range of nutraceuticals and phytoceuticals were given either a supportive recommendation or a provisional recommendation across a range of various psychiatric disorders.
However several had only a weak endorsement for potential use; for a few it was not possible to reach a clear recommendation direction, largely due to mixed study findings; while some other agents showed no obvious therapeutic benefit and were clearly not recommended for use.
It is the intention of these guidelines to inform psychiatric/medical, and health professional practice globally.
16Anxiety symptoms (HAMA scores)Meta-AnalysisCited 48×n=29 · very small study2022
Medicinal herbs may be promising for the treatment of anxiety.
Zhang W et al. · Pharmacological research (2022)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Kava was found to be an effective anxiolytic (MD: -2.46, 95% CrI: -4.47 to -0.32) but possibly ineffective in patients with generalized anxiety disorder (MD: -0.17, 95% CrI: -2.55 to -1.97).
Ginkgo biloba (MD: -4.63, 95% CrI: -9.01 to -0.23) and Withania somnifera (MD: -4.90, 95% CrI: -9.70 to -0.17) were efficacious, as measured by HAMA scores but the trials were limited by their small sample sizes.
Conversely, although Passionflower (MD: -4.20, 95% CrI: -8.82 to 0.16) and Saffron (MD: -2.71, 95% CrI: -6.06 to 0.57) did not reduce HAMA scores significantly in the summary network, both were worthy of further study because of support from separate networks.
Despite bearing several limitations, mainly as a result of heterogeneity among included studies, the available evidence indicates saffron supplementation shows promising effects on some cardiometabolic factors among overweight to obese patients; however, further investigations and high-quality evidence are required for more generalizable and comprehensive results.
Tahmasbi F et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2022)
A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool estimates across studies, and standardized mean difference (SMD) was used to synthesize quantitative results.
Further high-quality studies are needed to firmly establish the clinical efficacy of supplemental saffron on inflammatory biomarkers.
Asbaghi O et al. · Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021)
Subgroup analysis indicated a significant reduction in serum CRP levels in studies with baseline CRP of ≥3 mg/L, saffron dosage of ≤30 mg/day, and intervention duration of <12 weeks, as well as trials that used crocin.
Similarly, saffron was found to decrease TNF-α in studies that recruited non-diabetic subjects, subjects with baseline levels of ≥15 pg/mL, and participants with <50 years old, as well as trials that administered saffron at the dosage of ≤30 mg/day.
We also found a significant non-linear effect of saffron dosage on serum CRP concentrations (pnon-linearity = .03).
This study suggests that saffron and crocin may modulate the serum lipid profile in patient with metabolic disorders.
Roshanravan B et al. · Archives of physiology and biochemistry (2022)
A pooled analysis using a model for random-effects showed that HDL-C levels were 0.21 fold higher in the saffron and 0.01 fold higher in the crocin group than placebo.
LDL-C levels in the saffron group reduced by 0.51 and 0.04 fold in the crocin group versus the placebo.
Moreover, TC levels in the saffron group were 0.19 lower and 0.11 fold lower in crocin group than in the placebo group.
20Oxidative stress reduction in diabetesSystematic ReviewCited 17×2022
Most studies have shown that saffron supplementation significantly enhanced the production and activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased oxidative stress indices in diabetes mellitus.
Moini Jazani A et al. · Clinical nutrition ESPEN (2022)
Most studies have shown that saffron supplementation significantly enhanced the production and activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreased oxidative stress indices in diabetes mellitus.
However, human pharmacokinetic and more accurate clinical trial studies are needed to determine dose ranges and the exact mechanisms of action of saffron and its active components in diabetes.