Some Conditions Where Saffron Is Believed To Be Beneficial

You may know of saffron as the spice used to flavor dishes like bouillabaisse and paella, but saffron extract has a long and varied history in herbal medicine spanning over 2,500 years. According to a study it's been used in various countries to treat skin disease, respiratory issues, poor vision, pain, mental illness, gynecological problems, erectile dysfunction, and infections

# Alzheimer’s disease

The growing epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease affects many people worldwide and stresses families, caregivers, and the medical system. The study for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease is still ongoing.

As oxidative stress is suspected to be a factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the antioxidant properties of saffron could provide treatment.

A small double-blind study was conducted on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease, and the participants were treated for 16 weeks with either a saffron supplement or a placebo. After 16 weeks, the group receiving saffron performed significantly better on cognitive tests than the placebo group.

# Cancer

There is ongoing research regarding the cancer-fighting properties of saffron. The researchers are focusing on the antioxidant properties of saffron extract and its major ingredients crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin, and safranal.

However, there is insufficient clinical data to support claims that saffron may be used to treat cancer. More human studies are needed.

# Depression

In one study, saffron supplementation outperformed a placebo in reducing depression symptoms. However, there was no difference in depression symptoms when comparing patients receiving saffron supplementation with patients receiving antidepressants.

Another study found similar results and noted that fewer side effects were seen in the group receiving saffron versus the group receiving an antidepressant.

# Insomnia

Adults with self-reported poor sleep who received saffron reported greater improvements in sleep quality than those receiving the placebo. This study only looked at 55 adults, so more research using larger sample sizes is needed.

# Metabolic syndrome

Several recent studies have looked at whether saffron or any of its components can improve metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or heart disease. Scientists are studying whether saffron supplementation can improve fasting blood glucose levels, HbA1c, lipid levels, and blood pressure.

In one literature review, the authors reported that saffron appears to lower fasting blood sugar levels, but they cited that many studies to date have been small or of poor quality and that further large-scale trials are needed.

A small study in Iran demonstrated possible anti-obesity properties in subjects given either saffron aqueous solution or one of saffron’s bioactive compounds, crocin.

# Eye problems

Ingredients in saffron may be candidates to treat eye inflammation and mild-to-moderate age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma.

A study on 100 adults over 50 years of age with age-related macular degeneration showed modest improvement in visual acuity after receiving oral saffron supplementation.

Another small study has shown that saffron supplementation may decrease intraocular pressure in patients with a type of glaucoma.