Saffron: Herbal 101
About this Episode
In this episode of the Medicinal Herbs podcast, host Daina Parent, ND, talks with naturopath and medical herbalist Berris Burgoyne about saffron.
Saffron, derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, is a culinary and medicinal herb that has been used for thousands of years for its therapeutic properties (00:49). Rich in various chemical components like crocin, crocetin, and safranal, saffron is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. It has been studied for its potential applications in treating a variety of conditions, including depression, anxiety, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Historical Use of Saffron
Many different cultures around the world, especially those involving Ayurveda, use saffron as part of their medicinal healthcare (02:04). Because saffron is one of the most expensive herbs to cultivate, it is often adulterated. Ensuring high-quality sources of saffron is paramount.
Traditional Use of Saffron
Saffron has been used traditionally for a variety of health contexts, including female reproductive disorders, coughs, colds, sore throats, and asthma (03:10). This herb is considered a tonic, and in Ayurveda, saffron is said to support the tonic action of other herbs, particularly those acting on the reproductive system such as shatavari.
Nervous System Disorders
Berris is also familiar with saffron as a tool to calm the nerves. Modern clinical research shows efficacy for utilizing saffron in the context of mild to moderate depression and other nervous system disorders. Some research shows a similar efficacy for saffron in relation to depression to a range of anti-depressant medications.
For low mood, frustration, and mild anxiety Berris prefers to use saffron in combination with St. John’s wort, skullcap, and schisandra – a blend she calls “my happy pill” (04:27). For mild cases, patients might experience a positive effect within an hour, though more intense contexts could take several weeks for efficacy (06:54). Berris notes that many of her patients like to keep the saffron combination on hand for acute use.
Other Uses
Though saffron is known for use in nervous system disorders, research also associates this herb with other clinical contexts such as Alzheimer’s disease, age-related eye diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration, ADHD, and sleep dysfunction (08:44).
- Major Therapeutic Activity of Saffron, Phytotherapist’s Perspective Jan 2012; 152
- Morgan M. Further Clinical Evidence for Saffron Helping Macular Function. Phytotherapist’s Perspective July 2012; 156
- Herbs with Nervine Activity. Phytotherapist’s Perspective Feb 2021; 63
- D’Onofrio G, Nabavi SM et al. Crocus Sativus L. (Saffron) in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment: Bioactive Effects on Cognitive Impairmen. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19(9):1606-1616.
doi: 10.2174/1570159X19666210113144703. PMID: 33441068 - Zilaee M, Hosseini SA et al. An evaluation of the effects of saffron supplementation on the asthma clinical symptoms and asthma severity in patients with mild and moderate persistent allergic asthma: a double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial. Respir Res 2019; 20(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12931-019-0998-x. PMID: 30795753
- Pachikian BD, Copine S et al. Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial. Nutrients 2021; 13(5):1473.
doi: 10.3390/nu13051473. PMID: 33925432 - Lopresti AL, Smith SJ et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Sleep Med 2020; 16(6):937-947. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.8376. PMID: 32056539
- Lashay A, Sadough G et al. Short-term Outcomes of Saffron Supplementation in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Trial. Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol 2016; 5(1):32-38. PMID: 28289690
- Hamidi Z, Aryaeian N et al. The effect of saffron supplement on clinical outcomes and metabolic profiles in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double[1]blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res 2020; 34(7):1650-1658. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6633. PMID: 32048365
- Bonyadi MHJ, Yazdani S et al. The ocular hypotensive effect of saffron extract in primary open angle glaucoma: a pilot study. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2014, 14:399 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/14/399
- Blasco-Fontecilla H, Moyano-Ramirez E et al. Effectivity of Saffron Extract (Saffr’Activ) on Treatment for Children and Adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Clinical Effectivity Study. Nutrients 2022; 14(19):4046. doi: 10.3390/nu14194046. PMID: 36235697
- Tajaddini A, Roshanravan N et al. The effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) on glycemia, lipid profile, and antioxidant status in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized placebocontrolled trial. Phytother Res 2023; 37(2):388-398. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7600. PMID: 36580575
- Tajaddini A, Roshanravan N et al. Saffron improves life and sleep quality, glycaemic status, lipid profile and liver function in diabetic patients: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical trial. Int J Clin Pract 2021; 75(8):e14334. doi: 10.1111/ijcp.14334. PMID: 33960081
- Tahvilian N, Masoodi M et al. Effects of saffron supplementation on oxidative/antioxidant status and severity of disease in ulcerative colitis patients; A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Phytother Res 2021; 35(2):946-953. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6848. PMID: 33015869
- American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy Developing the Latest Acquired Knowledge of Drugs, and Especially of the Direct Action of Single Drugs Upon Exact Conditions of Disease, with Especial Reference of the Therapeutics of the Plant Drugs of the Americas. By FINLEY ELLINGWOOD, M.D. 1919
