Saffron and Depression, A Natural Mood Balance Supplement

Recent research has highlighted saffron’s surprising ability to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and mild depression among teenagers.

In this study, adolescents were administered either a 14mg dose of a patented saffron supplement or a placebo, which is a substance that appears medical but has no active ingredients affecting health, twice a day for eight weeks. The findings were significant: those who took saffron saw a 33% improvement in their mood, whereas the placebo group only saw a 17% improvement.

Dr. Adrian Lopresti from Murdoch University, who co-authored the study, observed that saffron effectively reduced feelings of separation anxiety, depression, and social phobia. Additionally, participants reported fewer headaches during the study period.

Saffron’s effectiveness rivaled that of fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed antidepressant, but seemed to work faster and without the side effects typically associated with antidepressants.

But the benefits of saffron go beyond treating mood disorders. It has a storied history in traditional Chinese and Persian medicine, particularly in regulating menstrual cycles and easing premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms.

One notable randomized controlled trial included in the review showed that women who took 30mg of saffron daily for eight weeks experienced a significant decrease in PMS symptoms and depression, compared to those who took a placebo.

To sum up, the health advantages of saffron are multi-faceted. It can:

• Improve mood and increase feelings of happiness.
• Lessen negative emotions.
• Boost energy levels.
• Alleviate stress and anxiety.
• Regulate menstrual cycles.
• Reduce PMS symptoms.
• Promote blood circulation.
• Address nervous system disorders.

These findings suggest that saffron could be a valuable natural remedy for mental and menstrual health concerns.

Read More: Health Benefits of Saffron