April 18, 2020

Saffron as an anti-depressant

Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice and is known for its colour, taste and aroma. It also has a number of health benefits associated with it.

Saffron has served mankind for quite a long time as both a culinary herb and a powerful medicine. It has been associated with a better immune system, helps strengthen respiratory tract and the cardio-vascular system, acts as an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant etc.

Through this blog, we are going to learn and explore how Saffron can help as an anti-depressant. Saffron's antidepressant effects potentially are due to its serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects.

A number of studies have shown how saffron can help in lifting up one’s mood. It also is beneficial during anxiety.

Research also shows that taking saffron or saffron extract by mouth for 6-12 weeks improves symptoms of major depression. As an example, in one of the studies based in Iran, 66 men and women aged 18 to 65 years with a diagnosis of mild to moderate major depression with anxious distress, were tested over a 6-week period. Symptoms of both depression and anxiety significantly improved over the 6-week period, in equivalent amounts in both groups.

Saffron, in comparison to Prozac, has been proven to help deal with Clinical depression. Some studies show that saffron might be as effective as taking a prescription antidepressant, such as fluoxetine, imipramine, or citalopram. Early research in patients already taking an antidepressant shows that taking crocin, a chemical found in saffron, for 4 weeks reduces symptoms of depression more than taking the antidepressant alone.

As a result of most of these studies, it has been found out that 30 mg to 100 mg of saffron daily, for 6-12 weeks can help treat mild and moderate depression and anxiety issues.

How has Saffron intake helped you? Don’t forget to tell us about it in the comment section below.