Best Saffron Supplements 2024: Ultimate Guide and Top Picks

Many compare saffron to gold, as it often costs as much as gold based on weight due to the labor-intensive process required to harvest it. In addition, it is regarded as a valuable supplement that has been used for centuries for its numerous health benefits. So, if you are looking for help boosting your mood, supporting your libido, or helping reduce the disruption of PMS in your life, saffron may be an option.

Knowing what is the best saffron supplement can be difficult with the large number of saffron supplements on the market. Fortunately, we have compiled a list of the top 5 saffron supplements to simplify the process.

Best saffron supplement: a shortlist

1. Double Wood Supplements — best overall saffron supplement brand
2. brainMD — best saffron extract supplement
3. Youtheory — best saffron supplement to combat stress
4. Zuva Labs — best saffron supplement to boost energy levels
5. Swanson — best organic saffron supplement

How we compiled our list of the best saffron supplements

With saffron being considered one of the most expensive spices in the world, some manufacturers may use low-grade saffron or mix it with other compounds to help reduce overall costs. Finding a high-quality product can be difficult without the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulating supplements.

To make choosing the best saffron supplement easier, we compiled a list of five high-quality brands. We selected these brands based on the standards below.

Price-to-value	Quality	Production method	Additional ingredients
$16.14–51.45	Use of third-party testing and current Good Manufacturing Practices	Organic vs. Non-organic	Presence of other active ingredients

• Price-to-value. Identifying high-quality supplements at a price point that provides value to the product without emptying the pocketbook.
• Quality. We prioritize supplements subjected to independent lab testing to ensure the product is free of harmful substances and contains accurate amounts of the ingredients.
• Production method. The outsourcing of organic vs. non-organic can make a big difference in the presence of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
• Additional ingredients. Adding other nutrients to the supplement can provide additional benefits but can also increase the risk of interactions and side effects that do not align with the body's needs.

Best saffron supplements: an overview

The stress of everyday life can have negative effects on your health. Therefore, it is not uncommon for people to look for some additional help to improve their mood, sharpen their focus, enhance their cognition, and support their overall well-being. One supplement gaining increased attention for all of these attributes is saffron.

For thousands of years, saffron has been used for its multitude of health benefits, resulting in the introduction of numerous products to the market. To help select a high-quality product, we have developed a list of the best saffron supplements. However, it is important to talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement to ensure it is safe for your situation, given your medical history and current medications.

1. Double Wood Supplements — overall best saffron supplement brand

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Double Wood Supplements are manufactured in the U.S. from globally sourced ingredients providing 88.5 mg of saffron extract (standardized to 0.3% safranal).

Using third-party testing and adhering to cGMP, consumers can rest assured that this product was made with high-quality ingredients and contains the appropriate dose per capsule. We are particularly impressed with the brand's transparency in showcasing third-party testing results on their website. It allows potential users to make informed decisions.

Consumers are particularly impressed with the high-quality nature of this product at a price that is easy to afford. This supplement is available for $49.95 and provides 630 servings.

While some consumers state the effectiveness of this product can vary, we are impressed with feedback about the quality and cost of this product.

2. brainMD — best saffron extract supplement

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brainMD combines an award-winning saffron extract with curcumin and zinc to help support your mood and combat oxidative stress. With a serving size of three capsules, this product provides 30 mg of affron® Saffron Extract, 400 mg of Longvida® curcumin, and 20 mg of zinc.

The manufacturing facilities used by brainMD are compliant with current cGMP and each batch of products undergoes independent third-party testing.

We are excited about this product as many consumers have commented on its mood boosting properties and ability to improve their focus.

However, this product is available at a higher price point than other supplements on our list. For a 30-day supply, this product costs $51.45 with additional savings available using the subscribe and save feature.

3. Youtheory — best saffron supplement to combat stress

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Youtheory manufactures this product using 28 mg of the award-winning, clinically-studied affron® Saffron Extract and combines it with two other adaptogens, 150 mg of ashwagandha extract and rhodiola root extract. This combination is geared towards providing stress-relief and mood-boosting properties while focusing on improving sleep quality.

We like this product for its combination of adaptogens geared towards boosting one's mood and mental performance. This product is manufactured in a current cGMP-certified facility and undergoes testing beyond industry standards.

People seem to enjoy the effects this product has on their mood and energy levels and are also impressed by its quality.

Customers do not like the excessively large packaging, which results in new products appearing only 1/4 of the way full.

This product is available on Amazon allowing Prime members to receive a 30-day supply for $23.56 which includes free-shipping.

4. ZuvaLabs — best saffron supplement to boost energy levels

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ZuvaLabs produces a saffron supplementin the U.S., with each capsule containing 88.5 mg of a Saffron extract (standardized to contain 0.3% safranal).

While this product is not third-party tested, it is manufactured in facilities certified to follow the current cGMP to provide a high-quality product.

ZuvaLabs does not a direct website to purchase their products, but they are available on Amazon. We selected this product to round out our list due to the positive reviews received on Amazon. The biggest negative aspect of this product is the difficulty obtaining a refund.

Customers like the quality and price point (90 servings for $17.95) of this product and have noted several health benefits.

5. Swanson — best organic saffron supplement

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Swanson Saffron Extract supplement uses veggie capsules to provide 30 mg with a minimum of 2% safranal in each serving. Therefore, it promises to provide an adequate dose with the simplicity of one capsule per day.

This product stands out from other supplements for its price-to-value ratio combined with the independent laboratory testing used to ensure the ingredient identity and quantity in the capsules. To further ensure the high-quality nature of the supplement, Swanson uses 100% certified organic saffron.

Customers using this product describe the pills as easy to swallow and are impressed with the price of this organic supplement. Some users have noted that the supplement's the effects can vary.

Swanson offers a 100-day, money-back guarantee and provides a 60-day supply for $16.14.

Comparing the best saffron supplements

Brand	Price	Price per serving	Serving size	Saffron dose per serving	Additional ingredients
Double Wood Supplements	$49.95	$0.08	1 capsule	88.5 mg	None
brainMD	$51.45	$1.72	3 capsules	30 mg	Curcumin and Zinc
Youtheory	$23.56	$0.79	2 capsules	28 mg	Ashwagandha and Rhodiola root
ZuvaLabs	$17.95	$0.20	1 capsule	88.5 mg	None
Swanson	$16.14	$0.27	1 capsule	30 mg	None

What is saffron?

Saffron is a spice obtained from the dried stigma of the Crocus sativus flower. Only a small part of the plant is necessary to produce saffron. It requires approximately 75,000 blossoms to produce one pound of Saffron, making it one of the most expensive spices. Harvesting is also a labor-intensive process, requiring the red, thread-like stigma to be carefully removed from the blossom by hand.

For centuries, Saffron has been used for its potential medicinal properties. Many believe that ingesting saffron may enhance libido, boost mood, and improve memory.

Saffron contains multiple active components, such as crocin, crocetin, and safranal, which are responsible for the health benefits of the spice. These components have demonstrated anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and mood-stabilizing properties in several animal and human studies.

Health benefits of saffron supplements

While the health benefits of saffron still require higher-quality studies to confirm, some encouraging findings have been presented in the recent literature.

May improve mood

Saffron does not get its nickname as the sunshine spice from its color. Rather, saffron is one of many herbs that has the ability to elevate one's mood.

In a meta-analysis of five studies, saffron supplementation was able to show a reduction in depressive symptoms compared to placebo and produce similar effects as antidepressants. A separate study has identified the use of 30 mg of saffron to be comparable to the recommended therapeutic doses of antidepressants such as Prozac.

While these results are promising, larger, randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the overall effects of saffron.

May enhance libido

Saffron, in traditional practices, is considered an aphrodisiac that has the ability to boost one's sexual desire and function.

The effects of saffron on erectile dysfunction have been investigated by several studies and recently evaluated in a meta-analysis. While this study did not show the effects of improving semen characteristics, saffron supplementation was shown to have a beneficial effect on erectile dysfunction.

These aphrodisiac properties have also been reported to be beneficial in women taking antidepressants, increasing sexual desire and lubrication.

Antioxidant and free radical scavenger

The aging process is associated with oxidative damage to cells throughout the body, and this mechanism is thought to play an important role in the development of diseases.

Saffron contains a host of powerful antioxidants, including crocin, crocetin, and safranal. These free radical scavengers can help protect the body from oxidative damage and may help reduce inflammation. However, more studies are needed to confirm the overall benefits of saffron in the development of age-related diseases.

May reduce premenstrual syndrome symptoms

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is characterized by symptoms manifesting days before the period, affecting the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of women. The high prevalence of PMS has sparked research into finding alternative options to alleviate the symptoms associated with this syndrome.

In a study involving women between the ages of 20–45 years old, 30 mg of saffron daily was shown to be more effective than placebo at reducing the symptoms of PMS. During this short-term study, saffron supplementation was well tolerated indicating it as a possible option for those with PMS.

Types of saffron supplements

Saffron as a spice can be used to improve the flavor profile of your food while potentially exposing you to its health benefits. However, it is difficult to consume a higher amount of saffron this way, and thus, many turn to supplements. Here, we provide the available options and some benefits or disadvantages.

• Capsules provide accurate dosing and convenience. While it can be difficult to swallow, certain manufacturers offer capsules that can be opened to mix the powder with food.
• Liquid extract is available to provide concentrated dosing and can be used in skin care regimens. However, the potent flavor of these extracts may not be palatable for some.
• Gummies provide another option for those with difficulty swallowing capsules. However, similar to liquid extract, the flavor of these saffron gummies may not be for everyone.

How to use saffron supplements safely

The available dosages of saffron supplements can range from 20–100 mg. While many studies have shown the effectiveness of saffron at a daily dose of 30 mg, supplements containing more than that are not necessarily dangerous. Some consumers do note these higher dosages can cause an increase in anxiety symptoms.

When starting a saffron supplement, it is important to talk with your healthcare provider to determine if it is safe for you. Secondly, it is advised to start at a lower dose initially and increase to the recommended dosage to help reduce the risk of possible side effects associated with higher-dose saffron supplements.

Who should consider taking saffron supplements?

Are you considering something that may boost your overall mood, enhance your libido, or improve your PMS symptoms? If so, saffron may be a good option for you to try. When taken at the appropriate doses, the side effects are typically mild, and this dietary addition is generally well tolerated.

Overall, the small studies concerning saffron make it difficult to generalize the findings to the overall population and further studies are needed. However, if after a discussion with your doctor, saffron appears to be a viable option then this list can help point you in the right direction for a high-quality supplement.

Side effects and considerations of saffron supplements

Dosages of saffron under 100 mg per day are often well tolerated but can be associated with mild side effects. These side effects include:

• Stomach upset/pain
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting

Fortunately, these are mild and typically resolve in a couple of days. However, if the side effects are significant or do not improve, stop the supplementation immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

For women who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or trying to become pregnant, saffron supplements should be avoided.

Patients with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and bipolar disorder, as well as patients on blood pressure medications or blood thinners, should avoid saffron supplements unless directed by a healthcare provider.

Best saffron supplement – conclusion

While saffron may be worth its weight in gold as a spice, the jury is still out on the overall health benefits of saffron. There are many small, clinical studies showing promising results, but larger, randomized scientific studies are needed to confirm the results.

The addition of saffron supplementation to the diet may have beneficial effects on one's mood and libido and may be worth a try for those looking for additional help. Confirming the safety of starting a supplement with your doctor is recommended to prevent any unwanted side effects.

To reduce side effects of saffron, do not exceed the recommended dosages on the packaging label of your supplement. If able to slowly increase the dose, this may be preferred to help minimize side effects.

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