Research synthesisLow evidenceModerate effect5 studies · 4 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful
Across 5 studies, 4 reported beneficial effects of saffron on reduced depression symptoms, with one neutral finding. The predominant effect size was moderate, seen in clinical populations including adults with Parkinson's disease, unipolar or bipolar depression, and major depressive disorder. The most-studied dose range was 30–100 mg/day, and effects were typically observed at 6–12 weeks (median study duration 56 days).
- Effective dose range: 30–100 mg/day
- Studied populations: Adults with Parkinson's disease, unipolar or bipolar depression, or major depressive disorder; also studied in healthy adults with subclinical symptoms (neutral finding) and children/adolescents (review).
Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Evidence base is small (only 5 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One study in healthy adults with subclinical symptoms found no significant effect, suggesting benefit may be limited to clinical populations with diagnosed depression.
Generated Jul 3, 2026