Baby Saffron
Evidence

The research behind saffron

36 peer-reviewed studies — randomised trials, meta-analyses and systematic reviews — each linked to its record in the US National Library of Medicine, so every one can be read in full rather than taken on our word.

Last reviewed

How to read the grades

  • A — human randomised trials plus meta-analysis
  • B — human randomised trials, limited in number or size
  • C — mechanistic, animal or laboratory work. Interesting, and not evidence of an effect in people

The C-grade work is listed rather than left out. Showing only the strongest evidence would make a weaker case look like a settled one.

Stress & mood

8 studies

  1. Mahmoudi R et al. · Nutritional Neuroscience, 2026

    Grade A

    Effect of saffron on depression, anxiety and mood disorder: a GRADE assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of 34 randomized controlled trials

    34 RCTs, 1,769 participants. Beck Anxiety Inventory WMD −5.06 (p=0.003). GRADE certainty: moderate.

    PubMed 41693488

  2. Marx W et al. · Nutrition Reviews, 2019

    Grade A

    Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    23 RCTs. Anxiety Hedges' g = 0.95 (p<0.006); depression g = 0.99 (p<0.001).

    PubMed 31135916

  3. Han S et al. · Phytotherapy Research, 2024

    Grade A

    New horizons for the study of saffron and its active ingredients in the management of neurological and psychiatric disorders

    46 RCTs. Pooled anxiety effect −3.75 (95% CI −5.83 to −1.67). Non-inferior to conventional drugs.

    PubMed 38424688

  4. Shafiee A et al. · Nutrition Reviews, 2025

    Grade A

    Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of RCTs

    No significant difference vs SSRIs, with significantly fewer adverse events.

    PubMed 38913392

  5. Mazidi M et al. · J Complementary & Integrative Medicine, 2016

    Grade A

    A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression

    100 mg/day × 12 weeks. Significant BAI and BDI improvement vs placebo (p<0.001).

    PubMed 27101556

  6. Jackson PA et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021

    Grade A

    Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults

    30 mg/day × 8 wks in healthy adults. Attenuated stress-induced HRV drop; urinary crocetin rose.

    PubMed 33598475

  7. Lopresti AL et al. · J Affective Disorders, 2018

    Grade A

    affron®, a standardised saffron extract for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms

    Ages 12–16. Total internalising symptoms −33% vs −17% placebo (p=0.029).

    PubMed 29510352

  8. Lopresti AL et al. · Journal of Nutrition, 2025

    Grade A

    An Examination into the Effects of a Saffron Extract (Affron) on Mood and General Wellbeing in Adults Experiencing Low Mood

    n = 202 — largest saffron trial to date. 28 mg/day × 12 wks; 72.3% vs 54.3% clinically significant response.

    PubMed 40414301

Vision

7 studies

  1. Broadhead GK et al. · Graefe's Archive for Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 2019

    Grade A/B

    Saffron therapy for the treatment of mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration: a randomised clinical trial

    n=100, double-blind crossover, 20 mg/day. BCVA +0.69 letters (p=0.001); benefit additional to AREDS supplements.

    PubMed 30343354

  2. Broadhead GK et al. · BMJ Open Ophthalmology, 2024

    Grade A/B

    Saffron therapy for the ongoing treatment of age-related macular degeneration

    Long-term follow-up — supports sustained rather than short-term use.

    PubMed 38485112

  3. Falsini B et al. · Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2010

    Grade A/B

    Influence of saffron supplementation on retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration

    The landmark study (155 citations). fERG amplitude +0.25 log µV (p<0.01) at 20 mg/day.

    PubMed 20688744

  4. Sepahi S et al. · American Journal of Ophthalmology, 2018

    Grade A/B

    Effects of Crocin on Diabetic Maculopathy: A Placebo-Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

    15 mg/day crocin significantly improved BCVA, reduced macular thickness and HbA1c.

    PubMed 29550187

  5. Piccardi M et al. · Nutrients, 2019

    Grade A/B

    Antioxidant Saffron and Central Retinal Function in ABCA4-Related Stargardt Macular Dystrophy

    Retinal function preserved on saffron; declined on placebo.

    PubMed 31618812

  6. Sepahi S et al. · Current Neuropharmacology, 2021

    Grade A/B

    Pharmacological Effects of Saffron and its Constituents in Ocular Disorders from in vitro Studies to Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review

    29 studies across AMD, glaucoma, diabetic maculopathy.

    PubMed 32379589

  7. Shamabadi A et al. · Medical Hypothesis, Discovery & Innovation in Ophthalmology, 2024

    Grade A/B

    Crocus sativus (saffron) and age-related macular degeneration

    Effective dose range confirmed: 20–50 mg/day saffron or 5–15 mg/day crocin, 3–12 months. Safe and well tolerated.

    PubMed 39507811

Monthly comfort

6 studies

  1. Mohammadi MM et al. · Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 2026

    Grade A/B

    Effect of saffron on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis

    PMS SMD −0.64 (95% CI −0.84 to −0.44); dysmenorrhea SMD −0.51. Your single best citation for this claim.

    PubMed 41151539

  2. Hasheminasab FS et al. · Phytotherapy Research, 2024

    Grade A/B

    Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) on female reproductive system disorders: A systematic review

    Broad systematic review across PMS, dysmenorrhea and related disorders.

    PubMed 38558480

  3. Agha-Hosseini M et al. · BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2008

    Grade A/B

    Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial

    233 citations — the foundational trial. 30 mg/day × 2 cycles; significant vs placebo. Published in a top-tier obstetrics journal.

    PubMed 18271889

  4. Nahid K et al. · Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health, 2009

    Grade A/B

    The effect of an Iranian herbal drug on primary dysmenorrhea: a clinical controlled trial

    n=180. Saffron-containing extract reduced pain more than mefenamic acid.

    PubMed 19720342

  5. Rajabi F et al. · Advanced Biomedical Research, 2020

    Grade A/B

    Saffron for the Management of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    n=120 vs fluoxetine vs placebo. Superior to placebo; fewer adverse effects than fluoxetine.

    PubMed 33457343

  6. Fukui H et al. · Phytomedicine, 2011

    Grade A/B

    Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus)

    Reduced cortisol and STAI anxiety in both follicular and luteal phases.

    PubMed 21242071

Sleep & liver

5 studies

  1. Pachikian BD et al. · Nutrients, 2021

    Grade B

    Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial

    n=66. Only 15.5 mg/day — a dose 15 strands can plausibly reach. Actigraphy-confirmed improvement in sleep latency, duration and PSQI global score.

    PubMed 33925432

  2. Tajaddini A et al. · International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2021

    Grade B

    Saffron improves life and sleep quality, glycaemic status, lipid profile and liver function in diabetic patients

    Human RCT covering both sleep quality and liver function — supports either replacement claim.

    PubMed 33960081

  3. Rezaee-Khorasany A et al. · Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2019

    Grade B

    Effect of saffron aqueous extract on ethanol toxicity in rats

    Animal. Protected liver and kidney against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and inflammation.

    PubMed 30926569

  4. Shoja M et al. · Journal of Pharmacopuncture, 2018

    Grade B

    The Prophylactic and Therapeutic Effects of Saffron Extract and Crocin on Ethanol Withdrawal Syndrome in Mice

    Animal. Comparable to diazepam on withdrawal measures.

    PubMed 30652054

  5. Azizi M et al. · Journal of Inflammation Research, 2019

    Grade B

    Crocus sativus L. petal hydroalcoholic extract on inflammatory and enzymatic indices resulting from alcohol use

    Animal. Dose-dependent reduction in hepatic and renal enzymes after alcohol exposure.

    PubMed 31632125

Skin

5 studies

  1. Bahari H et al. · Phytotherapy Research, 2025

    Grade C/B

    Crocin Supplementation on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

    13 human RCTs. Oral crocin significantly CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and total antioxidant capacity. This is your strongest human evidence for the skin claim.

    PubMed 39632602

  2. Rigi H et al. · Current Pharmaceutical Design, 2021

    Grade C/B

    Dermoprotective Effects of Saffron: A Mini Review

    Antioxidant, antimicrobial, depigmenting and skin-repairing activity; basis for cosmetic formulation.

    PubMed 34544335

  3. Fagot D et al. · International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2018

    Grade C/B

    Crocin, a natural molecule with potentially beneficial effects against skin ageing

    In human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts: protects squalene against UVA peroxidation, blocks inflammatory mediators.

    PubMed 29893408

  4. Acero N et al. · Antioxidants (Basel), 2024

    Grade C/B

    Effects of Crocus sativus L. Floral Bio-Residues Related to Skin Protection

    Recent peer-reviewed skin-protection data.

    PubMed 38539891

  5. Mafi A et al. · Nutrition Reviews, 2025

    Grade C/B

    Effect of Saffron (Crocus sativus) Supplementation on Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Indices, and Renal and Liver Function

    Human meta-analysis — systemic antioxidant/anti-inflammatory effect.

    PubMed 39657222

Foundation reviews

5 studies

  1. Butnariu M et al. · Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2022

    Grade B

    The Pharmacological Activities of Crocus sativus L

    PubMed 35198096

  2. Cerdá-Bernad D et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2022

    Grade B

    Saffron bioactives crocin, crocetin and safranal: effect on oxidative stress and mechanisms of action

    PubMed 33356506

  3. Anaeigoudari F et al. · Physiological Reports, 2023

    Grade B

    A review of therapeutic impacts of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its constituents

    PubMed 37537722

  4. Khazdair MR et al. · Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 2015

    Grade B

    The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review

    PubMed 26468457

  5. Goyal A et al. · Annals of Medicine & Surgery, 2024

    Grade B

    Saffron extract as an emerging novel therapeutic option in reproduction and sexual health

    PubMed 38694315

This page summarises published research. It is not medical advice. Saffron is a food, not a treatment for any condition, and the doses used in these trials are supplements taken under supervision rather than amounts used in cooking. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking prescribed medication or managing a health condition, speak to a doctor first.

Reading further: what the research shows · Saffron Stories