Saffron

Crocus sativus · 番红花

Spices. Ayurveda, Middle Eastern & Unani and Chinese Medicine.

Also called Kesar, Kumkuma, Zafaran

Pinyin: Fān Hóng Huā

Spanish: Azafrán

Sanskrit: कुङ्कुम (Kumkuma)

Toxic in large doses

Dried red stigmas from a purple crocus flower, used to flavor and color food and studied for mood.

Did you know? Each crocus flower has only three red threads, so it takes thousands of flowers to make a single ounce of spice.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

Low mood. Several small trials in mild to moderate depression found it beat placebo over several weeks. The studies are small and mostly from Iran.
Early proof
Women's health. A small trial suggested it eased premenstrual symptoms. Larger trials are lacking.
Early proof

Parts of the body

Brain & mind, Hormones & reproduction

Traditional use

Persian, Arab, Ayurvedic and Chinese healers have used saffron to lift mood, ease period pain and support the heart. The Ayurvedic name for it is Kumkuma.

How it is classified

Herbal actions: Nervine, Antioxidant, Emmenagogue. Energy: warming.
Ayurveda: Calms Vata and Kapha. Taste (rasa): bitter. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): sweet. Varnya (complexion).
Chinese medicine: 番红花 Invigorate blood. Nature: neutral. Flavour: sweet, pungent. Enters the Heart and Liver channels.

How people take it

Threads are steeped in hot water for tea or added to rice and desserts. Mood trials used small daily doses of extract, often around 30 mg a day, for several weeks.

Food, tea and capsule.

Where to get it

Most saffron is grown in Iran, Spain, India (Kashmir) and Greece. Buy whole threads from a trusted spice shop, since powders are often mixed with safflower or turmeric.

Be careful

Normal food amounts are safe. Large doses can be toxic, causing bleeding, vomiting and in extreme cases death. Avoid medicine amounts in pregnancy, since large doses can trigger uterine contractions.

Avoid if: pregnancy; bleeding disorders; bipolar disorder; before surgery.

Mixing with other things

Works well together
Persian sweets and drinks often mix rose and saffron.
Works well together
Used together in rice dishes and sweet teas.
Use caution
Antidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and others)
May add to the mood effects of antidepressants. Do not change medicines without a doctor.
Use caution
Blood thinners (warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Plavix, daily aspirin)
High doses may raise bleeding risk. Human data are limited.

Adds up with others that may slow blood clotting: , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 40 more.

The honest take

Saffron is the costliest spice, and adulterated saffron is common. Its mood studies are small and short, so they are promising but not proven. Its best use is as a flavor and color, and large amounts are dangerous.