Omnia SanaCrocus sativus
Common names in 18 European languages →
The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 6 pharmacological actions, 10 traditional / indicated uses, with 28 cited sources.
Botanical Description
Small, cormous perennial with narrow, grass-like, dark green leaves emerging with or just after the flowers. Each flower is a delicate lilac-purple, six-petalled bloom with three golden-yellow anthers and a single style dividing into three long, deep-red, thread-like stigmas - the saffron of commerce. The plant is a sterile triploid that never sets seed and is propagated entirely by division of its underground corms.
Height: 10-20 cm
Habit: Small, cormous, autumn-flowering perennial
Leaves: Narrow, grass-like, dark green, emerging with or just after the flowers
Flowers: Lilac-purple, six-petalled, with three golden anthers and three long deep-red stigma threads
Stem: Very short; flowers arise almost directly from the corm
Root: Underground corm with fibrous roots
Fruit: Sterile triploid; does not set seed, propagated by corm division
Flowering Period: Autumn (October-November)
Habitat & Distribution
Believed to have originated in Greece or Crete and spread through cultivation across the Mediterranean, Middle East and Asia (notably Iran, Kashmir and Spain); grown in sunny, well-drained fields with hot, dry summers and cool, wet autumns/winters.
Harvesting
The flowers are hand-picked at dawn as they open, and the three red stigma threads are immediately hand-separated from each flower and dried - an extremely labour-intensive process (many thousands of flowers are needed for a small amount of dried saffron), which accounts for saffron's high cost.
Parts: Flower
Season: Autumn, at flowering, harvested at dawn
Key Constituents
Crocin and crocetin[1]
Water-soluble carotenoid glycosides responsible for saffron's deep golden-red colour and much of its antioxidant and mood-related activity.
CrocinCrocetin
Safranal[1]
The principal volatile aromatic compound, giving saffron its characteristic scent and contributing to its sedative and antidepressant activity.
Safranal
Picrocrocin
The main bitter-tasting glycoside of the stigma, a precursor of safranal.
Picrocrocin
Pharmacological Actions
Traditional & Indicated Uses
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Arthritis / joint pain
inferred from antidiabetic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Blood sugar / diabetes support
more plants for blood sugar / diabetes support →detailed sources →
inferred from anticancer action
Evidence: 8
Label: Cancer (anticancer research)
more plants for cancer (anticancer research) →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
Evidence: 1
Label: Cognitive function
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Inflammation (general)
inferred from sedative action
Evidence: 1
Label: Insomnia / sleeplessness
more plants for insomnia / sleeplessness →detailed sources →
inferred from neuroprotective action
Evidence: 1
Label: Memory
Evidence: 1
Label: Menstrual cramps
inferred from antidiabetic action
Evidence: 1
Label: Metabolic support
inferred from anti-inflammatory action
Evidence: 1
Label: Skin irritation
Traditional Use & History
Saffron has a long Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and South Asian tradition as both a prized culinary spice/dye and a medicinal herb, used for mood support, digestive complaints and as a mild emmenagogue; its traditional mood-lifting reputation is now supported by clinical trials comparing standardised saffron extract to conventional antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression.[1]
Preparations
Standardised extract[1]
Stigma extract standardised to safranal/crocin content, taken as capsules; the form used in most clinical mood and metabolic studies.
Dosage
Standardised extract[1]
Clinical trials for mood support commonly use around 30 mg of standardised saffron extract daily (in divided doses); culinary use is typically well under 1 g. High medicinal doses (5 g or more) are considered potentially toxic and should be avoided. Educational reference only, not a prescription.
Safety, Cautions & Contraindications
Culinary use is entirely safe. At very high doses (5g+), saffron can be toxic - but such doses far exceed culinary or therapeutic amounts. Avoid medicinal doses during pregnancy (uterine stimulant). May interact with antidepressants. High quality saffron is often adulterated; verify source.
Duke (2002) rates saffron as ++ and provides a critical safety warning: abortifacient activity has clinical support (score 2), meaning that medicinal doses can induce abortion - saffron is strictly contraindicated in pregnancy at doses above culinary amounts. The plant also shows antidepressant, antioxidant, and antitumor activities at the experimental level (score 1). Dose (culinary): 0.5 g stigmas as flavoring; medicinal doses above 5 g are considered potentially toxic. Duke notes that saffron stigmas contain crocin and safranal, which are responsible for its antidepressant and antioxidant properties (Duke, 2002).
Herb-Drug Interactions
Mechanism: Saffron has antidepressant, serotonin-related activity (a meta-analysis of randomised trials found saffron more effective than placebo and comparable to standard antidepressants for mild-to-moderate depression; a trial safely combined low-dose saffron with SSRIs); because both raise serotonergic activity, combining saffron with antidepressants may add to serotonergic effects, so watch for side effects such as agitation or restlessness.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Mechanism: Saffron is traditionally used as a calming, sedative herb; taken with sedatives, sleeping tablets or other central-nervous-system depressants (including alcohol) it may add to drowsiness and slowed reactions.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Antidiabetics[24]Caution
Mechanism: Saffron lowers fasting blood glucose and HbA1c in trials in people with diabetes; combined with diabetes medicines it may add to blood-sugar lowering, so monitor blood sugar.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-03
Dangerous Lookalikes
Confused Part: The whole autumn flower (a leafless lilac-purple, crocus-shaped bloom) and its style/stigma threads that can be taken for saffron, plus the corm; in spring the strap-shaped leaves are also confused with other greens.
Confusion Context: Autumn crocus / meadow saffron (Colchicum autumnale, family Colchicaceae) flowers in autumn with a leafless lilac-purple crocus-like flower that closely mimics true saffron crocus (Crocus sativus, Iridaceae) and is even nicknamed 'meadow saffron'. It contains colchicine, a cell toxin with no readily available antidote; ingestion causes deceptively delayed (hours later) multi-organ failure and can be fatal. A Swiss poison-centre review lists it among the few plants that can kill (Kupper & Reichert 2009), and a documented case describes severe multi-organ injury after it was eaten in error (Gabrscek et al. 2004). University extensions warn it should definitely not be used in place of saffron, because eating any part of it can be fatal.
Distinguishing Features: STAMEN COUNT (decisive): true saffron crocus has exactly THREE stamens per flower; autumn crocus (Colchicum) has SIX. Two independent university extensions confirm three-versus-six as the hard, countable difference., SAFFRON THREADS: saffron crocus has one style splitting into three long, deep-RED branched stigmas (the saffron threads). Colchicum has three separate pale styles with yellow anthers and does not produce the long red saffron threads., FLOWER ARCHITECTURE: saffron crocus is in the iris family (Iridaceae; 3 stamens, 1 style); Colchicum is in Colchicaceae (6 stamens, 3 styles) - a fundamentally different flower.
Key Test: Count the stamens inside the open flower: exactly THREE (with three long deep-red saffron threads) = true saffron crocus. SIX stamens (pale styles, yellow anthers, no red threads) = autumn crocus (Colchicum) - do NOT eat or use as saffron; it can be fatal. If in any doubt, do not harvest.
Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)
Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07
Harvest Readiness
Part: stigma
Signals: Gather the crimson stigmas in autumn as the flowers open: pick the flowers at dawn on the day they bloom, before they wilt, and hand-separate the three red styles/stigmas.
Basis: traditional
Source Quote: It is in flower in October. The styles are harvested in the autumn when the plant is in flower and are dried for later use.
Independent Confirmation: Wikipedia (REF-3240), an independent non-Ken-Fern prism, confirms the same autumn/dawn stage: 'Only in October … do its brilliantly hued flowers develop' and 'after blossoming at dawn, flowers quickly wilt as the day passes.'
Species Confirmed: 1
Notes: PFAF (REF-3239, Ken Fern lineage) and Wikipedia (REF-3240, independent) agree: autumn flowering, stigmas gathered as the flowers open at dawn. SAFETY: the autumn-flowering harvest stage coincides exactly with the deadly Colchicum autumnale (autumn crocus / meadow saffron), a classic fatal confusion. Confirm identity before gathering - see Dangerous Lookalikes: true saffron (Crocus sativus, Iridaceae) has exactly THREE stamens and three long deep-red saffron threads, whereas Colchicum (Colchicaceae) has SIX stamens and no red threads and is lethally toxic (colchicine, no ready antidote). If in any doubt, do not harvest.
External Identifiers
References & Sources
- Shafiee, A., Jafarabady, K., Seighali, N., Mohammadi, I. et al (2025) 'Effect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Nutrition Reviews, 83(3), pp. e751-e761. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuae076 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuae076 - Lopresti, A.L. and Drummond, P.D (2014) 'Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: a systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action', Human Psychopharmacology, 29(6), pp. 517-527. doi:10.1002/hup.2434 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2434 - Chen, Z., Gu, J., Lin, S., Xu, Z. et al (2022) 'Saffron essential oil ameliorates CUMS-induced depression-like behavior in mice via the MAPK-CREB1-BDNF signaling pathway', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 300, pp. 115719. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2022.115719 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2022.115719 - Hausenblas, H.A., Saha, D., Dubyak, P.J. and Anton, S.D (2013) 'Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials', Journal of Integrative Medicine, 11(6), pp. 377-383. doi:10.3736/jintegrmed2013056 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3736/jintegrmed2013056 - Kell, G., Rao, A., Beccaria, G., Clayton, P., Inarejos-Garcia, A.M. and Prodanov, M (2017) 'affron a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 33, pp. 58-64. doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2017.06.001 - Baziar, S., Aqamolaei, A., Khadem, E., Mortazavi, S.H., Naderi, S., Sahebolzamani, E., Mortezaei, A., Jalilevand, S., Mohammadi, M., Shahmirzadi, M. and Akhondzadeh, S (2019) 'Crocus sativus L. Versus Methylphenidate in Treatment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Pilot Study', Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 29(3), pp. 205-212. doi:10.1089/cap.2018.0146 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1089/cap.2018.0146 - Moshiri, M., Vahabzadeh, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2014) 'Clinical Applications of Saffron (Crocus sativus) and its Constituents: A Review', Drug Research, 65(6), pp. 287-295. doi:10.1055/s-0034-1375681 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1375681 - Finley, J.W. and Gao, S (2017) 'A Perspective on Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) Constituent Crocin: A Potent Water-Soluble Antioxidant and Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease', Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 65(5), pp. 1005-1020. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04398 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.6b04398 - Boskabady, M.H. and Farkhondeh, T (2016) 'Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Effects of Crocus sativus L. and its Main Constituents', Phytotherapy Research, 30(7), pp. 1072-1094. doi:10.1002/ptr.5622 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5622 - Bhandari, P.R (2015) 'Crocus sativus L. (saffron) for cancer chemoprevention: A mini review', Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 5(2), pp. 81-87. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.10.009 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcme.2014.10.009 - Khorasanchi, Z., Shafiee, M., Kermanshahi, F., Khazaei, M., Ryzhikov, M., Parizadeh, M.R., Kermanshahi, B., Ferns, G.A., Avan, A. and Hassanian, S.M (2018) 'Crocus sativus a natural food coloring and flavoring has potent anti-tumor properties', Phytomedicine, 43, pp. 21-27. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.03.041 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phymed.2018.03.041 - El Midaoui, A., Ghzaiel, I., Vervandier-Fasseur, D., Ksila, M., Zarrouk, A., Nury, T., Khallouki, F., El Hessni, A., Ibrahimi, S.O., Latruffe, N., Couture, R., Kharoubi, O., Brahmi, F., Hammami, S., Masmoudi-Kouki, O., Hammami, M., Ghrairi, T., Vejux, A. and Lizard, G (2022) 'Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Source of Nutrients for Health and for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric and Age-Related Diseases', Nutrients, 14(3), pp. 597. doi:10.3390/nu14030597 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14030597 - Pitsikas, N (2021) 'Crocus sativus L. Extracts and Its Constituents Crocins and Safranal; Potential Candidates for Schizophrenia Treatment?', Molecules, 26(5), pp. 1237. doi:10.3390/molecules26051237 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26051237 - Plants For A Future 'Crocus sativus (Saffron)'. Available at: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Crocus+sativus Traditional / reference
https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Crocus+sativus - Wikipedia contributors 'Saffron'. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron Traditional / reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron - Akhondzadeh, S. et al (2005) 'Comparison of Crocus sativus L'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Comparison%20of%20Crocus%20sativus%20L - Hosseinzadeh, H. and Nassiri-Asl, M (2013) 'Avicenna', 27(4), pp. 475--483. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Avicenna - Moshiri, E. et al (2006) 'Crocus sativus L', pp. 607--611. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Crocus%20sativus%20L - Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition - Talaei, A., Hassanpour Moghadam, M., Sajadi Tabassi, S.A. and Mohajeri, S.A (2015) 'Crocin, the main active saffron constituent, as an adjunctive treatment in major depressive disorder: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, pilot clinical trial', Journal of Affective Disorders, 174, pp. 51-56. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.035 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2014.11.035 - Toth, B., Hegyi, P., Lantos, T., Szakacs, Z., Keremi, B., Varga, G., Tenk, J., Petervari, E., Balasko, M., Rumbus, Z., Rakonczay, Z., Balint, E.R., Kiss, T. and Csupor, D (2019) 'The efficacy of saffron in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a meta-analysis', Planta Medica, 85(1), pp. 24-31. doi:10.1055/a-0660-9565 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1055/a-0660-9565 - Ghasemzadeh Rahbardar, M. and Hosseinzadeh, H (2024) 'Therapeutic potential of hypnotic herbal medicines: A comprehensive review', Phytotherapy Research, 38(6), pp. 3037-3059. doi:10.1002/ptr.8201 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.8201 - Block, K.I., Gyllenhaal, C. and Mead, M.N (2004) 'Safety and efficacy of herbal sedatives in cancer care', Integrative Cancer Therapies, 3(2), pp. 128-148. doi:10.1177/1534735404265003 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1177/1534735404265003 - Liu, J., Yang, Y. and Qi, Y (2024) 'Effect of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis', Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, pp. 1349006. doi:10.3389/fnut.2024.1349006 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1349006 - Kupper, J. and Reichert, C (2009) 'Intoxications with plants', Therapeutische Umschau, 66(5), pp. 343-8. doi:10.1024/0040-5930.66.5.343 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1024/0040-5930.66.5.343 - Gabrscek, L. and Lesnicar, G. and Krivec, B. and Voga, G. and Sibanc, B. and Blatnik, J. and Jagodic, B (2004) 'Accidental poisoning with autumn crocus', Journal of Toxicology. Clinical Toxicology, 42(1), pp. 85-8. doi:10.1081/clt-120028750 Clinical study
https://doi.org/10.1081/clt-120028750 - University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension 'Autumn Crocus, Colchicum spp'. Available at: https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/autumn-crocus-colchicum-spp/ Traditional / reference
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/autumn-crocus-colchicum-spp/ - Ohio State University Extension (Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine) 'Crocus By Other Names'. Available at: https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1458 Traditional / reference
https://bygl.osu.edu/node/1458
Selected studies & references
ReviewEffect of Saffron Versus Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in Treatment of Depression and Anxiety: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials source↗ (2025)
ReviewEffect of saffron supplementation on the glycemic outcomes in diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis source↗ (2024)
ReviewSaffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Source of Nutrients for Health and for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric and Age-Related Diseases source↗ (2022)
ReviewCrocus sativus L. Extracts and Its Constituents Crocins and Safranal; Potential Candidates for Schizophrenia Treatment? source↗ (2021)
ReviewThe efficacy of saffron in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a meta-analysis source↗ (2019)
ReviewCrocus sativus a natural food coloring and flavoring has potent anti-tumor properties source↗ (2018)
ReviewA Perspective on Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) Constituent Crocin: A Potent Water-Soluble Antioxidant and Potential Therapy for Alzheimer's Disease source↗ (2017)
All 25 studies in the Knowledge Finder →
Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.
This profile is assembled automatically from the Omnia Sana plant database, which we curate by hand. How this site is built.