Saffron
Saffron is a spice made from the dried stigmas of the saffron crocus flower, Crocus sativus.
Also listed as Crocus Sativus, Saffron Extract, Saffron Stigma, Saffron Stigma Extract
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
From a flower to an extract
Saffron is the dried stigma of Crocus sativus, the part of the flower harvested as the spice. Its compounds include crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal. Clinical research often tests a specified extract rather than an ordinary serving of food. 1 2
Which question matters most to you?
The largest evidence base reviewed here concerns depression and anxiety symptoms. Separate trials explore sleep and responses to stress. Those are related experiences, but a better score on one questionnaire does not establish an effect on all of them. 1 3 4
Key studies
The most recent publications linked to Saffron's ratings.
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Is saffron an antidepressant replacement?
The studies do not establish that. Depression treatment depends on severity and can include psychotherapy and prescribed medicines. 5 6
How quickly might sleep change?
The cited insomnia trial assessed a four-week course. It does not establish an immediate effect from a single capsule. 4
Does more saffron mean more benefit?
The safety review does not establish a safe dose ceiling or a reliable dose-response rule. Higher amounts should not be inferred to work better. 2
Can I get the same effect from cooking?
Clinical extracts and ordinary culinary quantities are different exposures; the supplement findings do not establish an equivalent food portion. 7
Is an antioxidant result an anti-aging result?
No. The cited trials measured blood markers, not longer life or slower aging. 8
Sources
- Zinzino Viva 2025