A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in the treatment of anxiety and depression

Mazidi M

Published in Journal of Complementary & Integrative Medicine

Methodology

Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Crocus sativus extract in adults with anxiety and depressive symptoms, using validated depression and anxiety rating scales at baseline and follow-up.

Key Findings

Twelve weeks of saffron extract significantly reduced anxiety and depression rating scale scores compared with placebo, with tolerability similar to placebo.

Conclusions

Saffron appears to have a significant impact in the treatment of anxiety and depression disorder.

Limitations

Small single-centre sample (n=60), short duration, no active comparator, and a literature on saffron dominated by trials from a single region with possible publication bias.