herb · for low mood
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?
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.
3 papers read, 2 supporting, 1 against.
Tested as: Mixed across 23 trials. Dried powder, and petal and stigma extracts. No single strength.
Who was studied: Adults, mostly with diagnosed depression. Some trials used general or milder groups. Most trials were small.
We found 3 studies on this. We have not finished reading them yet, so we are not ready to say either way.