Saffron has had a lot of attention lately. While it may be hard to know what’s true and what is just the newest health trend when its featured on social media, this little herb does have some impressive research behind it that makes it worth talking about. Clinical studies have demonstrated positive outcomes for saffron when compared with placebo as well as some medications.^{1,2,3,4,5,6,7}

However, herbal medicine is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Although the results may be exciting, it doesn’t mean that it is appropriate for everyone, and in the focus on just one herb as the latest craze other important work where saffron has been combined with other herbs, or where other herbs could be more appropriate in a range of presentation gets overlooked. This is why it is importantly to talk to a qualified naturopath or herbalist before taking herbal medicine and more so if you are taking prescription medicine.

If you’re curious about whether saffron, or any other herbal medicine, may be right for you, our team at Herbs on the Hill is here to help. We have five experienced practitioners who would love to work with you to ensure you get the care that is right for you. Click here to meet the team.

1. Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi‐Pour N, Noorbala AA, Amini H, Fallah‐Pour H, Jamshidi AH, et al. Crocus Sativus L. In the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Double‐Blind, Randomized and Placebo‐Controlled Trial. Phytotherapy Research. 2005;19(2):148-51.
2. Moshiri E, Basti AA, Noorbala A-A, Jamshidi A-H, Abbasi SH, Akhondzadeh S. Crocus Sativus L.(Petal) in the Treatment of Mild-to-Moderate Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized and Placebo-Controlled Trial. Phytomedicine. 2006;13(9):607-11.
3. Akhondzadeh S, Fallah-Pour H, Afkham K, Jamshidi A-H, Khalighi-Cigaroudi F. Comparison of Crocus Sativus L. And Imipramine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Trial [Isrctn45683816]. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2004;4(1):12.
4. Akhondzadeh Basti A, Moshiri E, Noorbala AA, Jamshidi AH, Abbasi SH, Akhondzadeh S. Comparison of Petal of Crocus Sativus L. And Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Depressed Outpatients: A Pilot Double-Blind Randomized Trial. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry. 2007;31(2):439-42.
5. Noorbala A, Akhondzadeh S, Tahmacebi-Pour N, Jamshidi A. Hydro-Alcoholic Extract of Crocus Sativus L. Versus Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized Pilot Trial. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005;97(2):281-4.
6. Ghajar A, Neishabouri SM, Velayati N, Jahangard L, Matinnia N, Haghighi M, et al. Crocus Sativus L. Versus Citalopram in the Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder with Anxious Distress: A Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial. Pharmacopsychiatry. 2017;50(04):152-60.
7. Arman Shafiee, Kyana Jafarabady, Niloofar Seighali, Mohammadi I, Abadi F, Faeze Soltani Abhari, et al. Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrition reviews. 2024 Jun 24;83(3).