Saffron

Assessment and Plan: Saffron (Crocus sativus L.)

• More research is needed on saffron (Crocus sativus L.), but this supplement may be a considered as a trial to treat mild to moderate depression or mild to moderate Alzheimer’s due to relative safety and a lack of serious adverse effects.

• According to multiple well designed studies by the same group of authors, saffron at a dose of 30 mg per day may be effective for mild to moderate depression (1,2,3). Patients were randomly assigned to receive capsules of saffron 30 mg/day (Group 1) or a capsule of fluoxetine (an antidepressant) 20 mg/day without significant differences in treatment results and saffron may be as effective as fluoxetine (2,3).

• Saffron at a dose of 15 mg oral twice per day appeared to improve cognitive function both against placebo (4), and was comparable to donepezil at a dose of 5 mg twice per day with significantly less adverse effects such as vomiting within the saffron group (5).

• In one study, researchers found that a group taking saffron had less snacking and a greater loss in body weight compared to women in a placebo group with a proposed mechanism of appetite suppression (6). The weight loss over placebo was small and more research is needed.

• In a double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS measured by the total premenstrual daily symptoms scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (7).

• Avoid saffron in cases of allergy to the plant or related plant family.