Saffron

Herb

Crocus sativus stigma and standardized extracts studied for mood, sleep, and other outcomes. Several small trials report product-specific signals, but results should not be generalized across preparations or treated as a substitute for established care.

Pharmacokinetic model

A route-level PK model for saffron is being prepared from published data. Dosing references, studies, and documented interactions are below; the app catalog is updated as models are validated.

Key facts

Category
Herb
Suggested cadence
once daily

Research behind this entry

  1. An Examination into the Effects of a Saffron Extract (Affron) on Mood and General Wellbeing in Adults Experiencing Low Mood: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Marx W, Díez-Municio M, Morán-Valero MI · Journal of Nutrition, 2025 DOI

    Randomized trial evaluated one branded standardized saffron extract in adults reporting low mood. Product-specific questionnaire outcomes do not establish an antidepressant indication or generalize to culinary saffron.

  2. Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial Pachikian BD, Copine S, Suchareau M, Deldicque L · Nutrients, 2021 DOI

    Controlled trial assessed one saffron extract for sleep outcomes over a limited period. Findings are formulation-specific and require independent replication with objective sleep measures and broader populations.

2 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.