Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBenefitsNutritionFormsWho Should Avoid ItWhere to Find It
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Benefits
Nutrition
Forms
Who Should Avoid It
Where to Find It
Saffron is an antioxidant-rich spice derived from the crocus flower (Crocus sativus). Often known for its unique red coloring that turns golden upon being harvested and dried, saffron has been used throughout history in culinary, cosmetic, and traditional medicine fields.
As a supplement or a spice in food dishes,saffronbenefits various medical uses. Researchers theorize this may be due to itsanti-inflammatoryandantioxidantsubstances like carotenoids (crocin) and terpene (safranal). These protective compounds can help reduce inflammation, protect against chronic disease development, and support overall health.
1. Supports Mental Health
Current evidence suggests that saffron’s compounds crocin and safranal may help increase mood-boosting chemicals (such asdopamine,serotonin, and norepinephrine) in the brain. At least one research review found that saffron positively impacted anxiety and depression symptoms when compared toplacebo treatments. It may offer benefits similar toantidepressant medications.
2. Helps Certain Eye Conditions
Saffron may protect against and improve symptoms of certain eye diseases.Studies show that daily saffron supplements may improve vision in people withage-related macular degeneration(AMD) and diabetic maculopathy, which can both lead to vision loss. Supplementing with saffron has also been shown to lower eye pressure in people with glaucoma or chronic eye diseases that cause blindness.
3. Improves Sleep
4. Benefits Heart Health
Saffron may benefit heart health, too.Studies suggest that saffron strengthens theblood circulatory system, helping to reduce the risk of heart disease. It’s been shown tolower blood pressure, blood sugar, and total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (“bad cholesterol”) levels.
Experts say research points to saffron as a complementary supplement to conventional medical treatment forheart disease preventionand maintenance.Always discuss with your healthcare provider before incorporating saffron or other supplements.
5. Promotes Weight Management
Studies show that taking a daily saffron supplement can help reduceweight managementfactors such as appetite, body weight,body mass index (BMI),and waist circumference in adolescents, people withobesity, and people with heart disease. While the results are promising, more human clinical trials are needed before saffron can be recommended as an anti-obesity treatment.
A Word From VerywellSaffron is a spice with a slightly sweet flavor that can be used in pasta, rice, stews, desserts, or drinks. Saffron can also be brewed and enjoyed as a tea or added to flavored drinks.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
Saffron is a spice with a slightly sweet flavor that can be used in pasta, rice, stews, desserts, or drinks. Saffron can also be brewed and enjoyed as a tea or added to flavored drinks.—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Saffron is a spice with a slightly sweet flavor that can be used in pasta, rice, stews, desserts, or drinks. Saffron can also be brewed and enjoyed as a tea or added to flavored drinks.
—KARINA TOLENTINO, RD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Because saffron is typically consumed in smaller quantities (like when used as a spice), it’s not considered a significant source of micro or macronutrients.
A two tablespoon serving of saffron contains:
Saffron is a solid source ofmanganese, a mineral that helps with energy metabolism and immune system function.
Forms of Saffron Supplements
As asupplement, saffron can be purchased in several different forms. These include:
It is also produced in paste for skin care or cosmetic purposes.
Who Should Avoid Saffron?
Saffron is generally considered safe for most healthy adults when taken in a dose of fewer than five grams.
Saffron should be avoided if you are pregnant orbreastfeeding. Some evidence has suggested that saffron may have the potential to lead tomiscarriage.There’s currently not enough research on whether it’s safe for nursing infants.
Seek medical attention if you’re consuming saffron and notice numbness or tingling of hands and feet or yellow-tinted eyes and skin. This could be the result of severe saffron toxicity.
Side Effects and Drug InteractionsMild side effects related to ingesting too much saffron include:DiarrheaDizzinessNausea or vomitingIn addition, saffron may interact with the following medications:Blood thinners: May increase your chance of bleedingMood medications: Can have effects on your moodSleep-inducing medications: Might make you tired and sleepyCheck with a healthcare provider before adding saffron or any new supplements to your routine to ensure their safety.
Side Effects and Drug Interactions
Mild side effects related to ingesting too much saffron include:DiarrheaDizzinessNausea or vomitingIn addition, saffron may interact with the following medications:Blood thinners: May increase your chance of bleedingMood medications: Can have effects on your moodSleep-inducing medications: Might make you tired and sleepyCheck with a healthcare provider before adding saffron or any new supplements to your routine to ensure their safety.
Mild side effects related to ingesting too much saffron include:
In addition, saffron may interact with the following medications:
Check with a healthcare provider before adding saffron or any new supplements to your routine to ensure their safety.
Where to Find Saffron
As a food source, saffron is available naturally as a plant or spice. Along with being used as a food spice,saffron is also generally considered safe as a flavoring or coloring agent.
You can also find saffron as a supplement in drugstores and natural food stores. Supplements are not regulated the same way as medications, so the safety and efficacy of particular supplement products are not guaranteed.
Summary
Saffron, a uniquely colored spice, is rich in beneficial compounds. Research shows that saffron’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may support heart health, certain mental health disorders, eye conditions, sleep quality, weight management, and more.
While available evidence shows that saffron is generally safe for most adults when ingested in normal quantities, consult a healthcare provider before trying it for medical purposes. Avoid saffron if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aissa R, Ibourki M, Ait Bouzid H, et al.Phytochemistry, quality control and medicinal uses of saffron (crocus sativus L.): an updated review.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):822-836. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0353.El Midaoui A, Ghzaiel I, Vervandier-Fasseur D, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.): a source of nutrients for health and for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and age-related diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):597. doi:10.3390/nu14030597Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2019;nuz023. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Heitmar R, Brown J, Kyrou I.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) in ocular diseases: a narrative review of the existing evidence from clinical studies.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):649. doi:10.3390/nu11030649Sepahi S, Ghorani-Azam A, Hossieni SM, Mohajeri SA, Khodaverdi E.Pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents in ocular disorders from in vitro studies to clinical trials.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(3):392-401. doi:10.2174/1570159X18666200507083346Sadat Rafiei SK, Abolghasemi S, Frashidi M, et al.Saffron and sleep quality: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Metab Insights. 2023;16:11786388231160316. doi:10.1177/11786388231160317Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S.Cardiovascular effects of saffron: an evidence-based review.J Tehran Heart Cent. 2011 Spring;6(2):59-61. Epub 2011 May 31Lu C, Ke L, Li J, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) and health outcomes: a meta-research review of meta-analyses and an evidence mapping study.Phytomedicine. 2021;91:153699. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153699Zamani M et al.The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022 Dec 8;9:1055517. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1055517Mashmoul M, Azlan A, Khaza’ai H, Yusof BN, Noor SM.Saffron: A natural potent antioxidant as a promising anti-obesity drug.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Oct 29;2(4):293-308. doi:10.3390/antiox2040293U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spices, saffron.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Manganese.National Cancer Institute.Indian saffron.Poma A, Fontecchio G, Carlucci G, Chichiriccò G.Anti-inflammatory properties of drugs from saffron crocus.Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2012;11(1):37-51. doi:10.2174/187152312803476282Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrition Reviews. 2019;77(8):557-571. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Moshiri M, Vahabzadeh, Hosseinzadeh H.Clinical applications of saffron (crocus sativus) and its constituents: a review.Drug Research. 2015;65(06):287-295. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements: What you need to know.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Aissa R, Ibourki M, Ait Bouzid H, et al.Phytochemistry, quality control and medicinal uses of saffron (crocus sativus L.): an updated review.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):822-836. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0353.El Midaoui A, Ghzaiel I, Vervandier-Fasseur D, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.): a source of nutrients for health and for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and age-related diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):597. doi:10.3390/nu14030597Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2019;nuz023. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Heitmar R, Brown J, Kyrou I.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) in ocular diseases: a narrative review of the existing evidence from clinical studies.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):649. doi:10.3390/nu11030649Sepahi S, Ghorani-Azam A, Hossieni SM, Mohajeri SA, Khodaverdi E.Pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents in ocular disorders from in vitro studies to clinical trials.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(3):392-401. doi:10.2174/1570159X18666200507083346Sadat Rafiei SK, Abolghasemi S, Frashidi M, et al.Saffron and sleep quality: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Metab Insights. 2023;16:11786388231160316. doi:10.1177/11786388231160317Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S.Cardiovascular effects of saffron: an evidence-based review.J Tehran Heart Cent. 2011 Spring;6(2):59-61. Epub 2011 May 31Lu C, Ke L, Li J, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) and health outcomes: a meta-research review of meta-analyses and an evidence mapping study.Phytomedicine. 2021;91:153699. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153699Zamani M et al.The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022 Dec 8;9:1055517. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1055517Mashmoul M, Azlan A, Khaza’ai H, Yusof BN, Noor SM.Saffron: A natural potent antioxidant as a promising anti-obesity drug.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Oct 29;2(4):293-308. doi:10.3390/antiox2040293U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spices, saffron.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Manganese.National Cancer Institute.Indian saffron.Poma A, Fontecchio G, Carlucci G, Chichiriccò G.Anti-inflammatory properties of drugs from saffron crocus.Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2012;11(1):37-51. doi:10.2174/187152312803476282Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrition Reviews. 2019;77(8):557-571. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Moshiri M, Vahabzadeh, Hosseinzadeh H.Clinical applications of saffron (crocus sativus) and its constituents: a review.Drug Research. 2015;65(06):287-295. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements: What you need to know.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Aissa R, Ibourki M, Ait Bouzid H, et al.Phytochemistry, quality control and medicinal uses of saffron (crocus sativus L.): an updated review.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):822-836. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0353.El Midaoui A, Ghzaiel I, Vervandier-Fasseur D, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.): a source of nutrients for health and for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and age-related diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):597. doi:10.3390/nu14030597Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2019;nuz023. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Heitmar R, Brown J, Kyrou I.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) in ocular diseases: a narrative review of the existing evidence from clinical studies.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):649. doi:10.3390/nu11030649Sepahi S, Ghorani-Azam A, Hossieni SM, Mohajeri SA, Khodaverdi E.Pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents in ocular disorders from in vitro studies to clinical trials.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(3):392-401. doi:10.2174/1570159X18666200507083346Sadat Rafiei SK, Abolghasemi S, Frashidi M, et al.Saffron and sleep quality: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Metab Insights. 2023;16:11786388231160316. doi:10.1177/11786388231160317Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S.Cardiovascular effects of saffron: an evidence-based review.J Tehran Heart Cent. 2011 Spring;6(2):59-61. Epub 2011 May 31Lu C, Ke L, Li J, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) and health outcomes: a meta-research review of meta-analyses and an evidence mapping study.Phytomedicine. 2021;91:153699. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153699Zamani M et al.The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022 Dec 8;9:1055517. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1055517Mashmoul M, Azlan A, Khaza’ai H, Yusof BN, Noor SM.Saffron: A natural potent antioxidant as a promising anti-obesity drug.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Oct 29;2(4):293-308. doi:10.3390/antiox2040293U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spices, saffron.National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Manganese.National Cancer Institute.Indian saffron.Poma A, Fontecchio G, Carlucci G, Chichiriccò G.Anti-inflammatory properties of drugs from saffron crocus.Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2012;11(1):37-51. doi:10.2174/187152312803476282Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrition Reviews. 2019;77(8):557-571. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz023Moshiri M, Vahabzadeh, Hosseinzadeh H.Clinical applications of saffron (crocus sativus) and its constituents: a review.Drug Research. 2015;65(06):287-295. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements: What you need to know.
Aissa R, Ibourki M, Ait Bouzid H, et al.Phytochemistry, quality control and medicinal uses of saffron (crocus sativus L.): an updated review.J Med Life. 2023;16(6):822-836. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0353.
El Midaoui A, Ghzaiel I, Vervandier-Fasseur D, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.): a source of nutrients for health and for the treatment of neuropsychiatric and age-related diseases.Nutrients. 2022;14(3):597. doi:10.3390/nu14030597
Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutr Rev. 2019;nuz023. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuz023
Heitmar R, Brown J, Kyrou I.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) in ocular diseases: a narrative review of the existing evidence from clinical studies.Nutrients. 2019;11(3):649. doi:10.3390/nu11030649
Sepahi S, Ghorani-Azam A, Hossieni SM, Mohajeri SA, Khodaverdi E.Pharmacological effects of saffron and its constituents in ocular disorders from in vitro studies to clinical trials.Curr Neuropharmacol. 2021;19(3):392-401. doi:10.2174/1570159X18666200507083346
Sadat Rafiei SK, Abolghasemi S, Frashidi M, et al.Saffron and sleep quality: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.Nutr Metab Insights. 2023;16:11786388231160316. doi:10.1177/11786388231160317
Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S.Cardiovascular effects of saffron: an evidence-based review.J Tehran Heart Cent. 2011 Spring;6(2):59-61. Epub 2011 May 31
Lu C, Ke L, Li J, et al.Saffron (crocus sativus L.) and health outcomes: a meta-research review of meta-analyses and an evidence mapping study.Phytomedicine. 2021;91:153699. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2021.153699
Zamani M et al.The effects of saffron supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.Front Nutr. 2022 Dec 8;9:1055517. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1055517
Mashmoul M, Azlan A, Khaza’ai H, Yusof BN, Noor SM.Saffron: A natural potent antioxidant as a promising anti-obesity drug.Antioxidants (Basel). 2013 Oct 29;2(4):293-308. doi:10.3390/antiox2040293
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Spices, saffron.
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Manganese.
National Cancer Institute.Indian saffron.
Poma A, Fontecchio G, Carlucci G, Chichiriccò G.Anti-inflammatory properties of drugs from saffron crocus.Antiinflamm Antiallergy Agents Med Chem. 2012;11(1):37-51. doi:10.2174/187152312803476282
Marx W, Lane M, Rocks T, et al.Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Nutrition Reviews. 2019;77(8):557-571. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz023
Moshiri M, Vahabzadeh, Hosseinzadeh H.Clinical applications of saffron (crocus sativus) and its constituents: a review.Drug Research. 2015;65(06):287-295. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Substances added to food (formerly EAFUS).
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary supplements: What you need to know.
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