Compound or practice · Supplement
Saffron
Surprisingly solid for low mood at ~30 mg/day — a rare botantical antidepressant with real trials, carrying the serotonergic caveat.
- Overall grade
- Grade B
- Last revised
- 2
- graded outcomes
- 0
- references listed
A structured monograph in Prometheus's bundled library. Its grades are the monograph's own reading of the evidence, not a peer-reviewed review.
2 at grade B · 1 at grade C — 3 graded rows
What is known
Each outcome with its grade (how strong the evidence is, A to D), the size of the effect where the entry records one, and how often studies agree.
- Mild-to-moderate depressionEvidence grade B
~30 mg/day
Moderatemixed
- Anxiety / PMSEvidence grade C
Secondary signals
Smallmixed
Conditions
How the entry reads its effect on diagnosed conditions: the direction first, then the grade. Never a substitute for the person who treats you.
- Depression (mild-moderate) ImprovesEvidence grade BSmall but repeated trialsGrade B
What is uncertain
Read off the same rows as above. Nothing here is added that the entry does not itself record.
- Thin evidence: Anxiety / PMS (grade C).
- Studies disagree: Mild-to-moderate depression (mixed agreement).
- Caution with SSRIs / SNRIs: Serotonergic — additive load; clear with prescriber.
Interactions
Documented pairings with supplements and medicines. A medicine on this list is a conversation for whoever prescribes it.
SSRIs / SNRIsCaution
Serotonergic — additive load; clear with prescriber.
The evidence in words
What it is
Saffron is the spice from Crocus sativus stigmas, standardized to crocin and safranal for supplements. Its mood evidence outstrips most botanicals.
How it works
Its carotenoids appear to have serotonergic and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory actions relevant to depression.
What the evidence shows
Multiple small-to-moderate RCTs and meta-analyses find ~30 mg/day standardized saffron reduces mild-to-moderate depressive symptoms, sometimes comparably to low-dose antidepressants, with signals for anxiety and PMS. Trials are small and often from a few groups, so confidence is moderate, but it is one of the better-supported mood botanicals.
How to use it
30 mg/day of a standardized extract (e.g., 15 mg twice daily).
Safety & interactions
Well tolerated at supplemental doses; culinary-scale amounts are safe, but very high doses are toxic. As a serotonergic agent, combining with antidepressants warrants caution. ssri — Serotonergic — additive load; clear with prescriber.
Bottom line
The mood botanical with the most convincing small-trial evidence: 30 mg/day standardized for mild-to-moderate low mood. Clear it with a prescriber if you're on serotonergic drugs.
How it is used
As the entry records it, from the studies it summarises. Not a recommendation for you — doses that suit a trial population may not suit you.
- Standard
- 30 mg/day standardized (15 mg ×2).
Related reading
Entries that share this one's tags or conditions.
- Saffron for Anxiety / PMSEvidence grade C — Secondary signalsEvidence grade C
- Saffron for Depression (mild-moderate)Evidence grade B — Small but repeated trialsEvidence grade B
- Saffron for Mild-to-moderate depressionEvidence grade B — ~30 mg/dayEvidence grade B
- Saffron: dosage and how to take it30 mg/day standardized (15 mg ×2).Evidence grade B
Sources
This entry lists no references of its own.
Last revised . A grade is this entry's reading of the evidence, not medical advice.