herb · for anxiety
Saffron
Saffron is the dried stigma of the crocus flower, and the spice most people know from cooking. As a supplement it is sold standardised for safranal or crocin, usually around 30 mg a day.
How strong is the research?
Not verified evidence
51 healthy adults with mild low mood took saffron for 6 weeks. Depression, anxiety and fatigue scores were no better than placebo. One general self-rated mental-health score rose a little.
Studies disagree
2 papers read, 1 supporting, 1 against.
Tested as: Mixed across trials. Stigma powder and several extracts. No single strength.
Who was studied: Adults, in clinics and in the general public. The anxiety result rests on only a few trials.
We found 2 studies on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.