Does Saffron Work?

People who are thinking about using saffron supplements medicinally may wonder if saffron works. Saffron is claimed to be beneficial for several uses, such as treating depression, cancer, insomnia, and baldness. Preliminary studies have shown that saffron may be effective at treating depression. However, more research is necessary to determine if saffron is effective for any use.

Saffron Supplement Information

Does Saffron Work? -- An Overview

While saffron is best known as an expensive spice, it is also used medicinally as an herbal supplement. As with most other supplements, saffron is claimed to be beneficial for many different uses, such as for the following conditions:

Asthma
Baldness (when applied to the scalp)
Cancer
Coughing
Depression
Dry skin
Fright and shock
Gas
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis)
Indigestion or heartburn
Insomnia
Pain
Painful menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea)
Premature ejaculation
Spitting up blood
Whooping cough.

Studies on the Effectiveness of Saffron

A few small, early studies indicate that saffron may be effective at treating depression. In fact, one study suggested that saffron may work as well as imipramine (Tofranil^®) for mild to moderate depression, although this study has been criticized for using an imipramine dosage that may not be high enough for treating depression.

For most other uses, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that saffron really is effective for these various uses. More research is necessary before any conclusions can be made.

Final Thoughts on the Effectiveness of Saffron

Early studies suggest that saffron may be useful for treating depression.

However, more research is needed to confirm that saffron is indeed effective and safe for any use. It is important to remember that saffron is classified as a dietary supplement, not a drug, and is, therefore, less strictly regulated than drugs.