Saffron Helps You Sleep

If you are suffering from insomnia, this study suggests that saffron can do much more than help you sleep.

This double-blind study looked at the effect of saffron on adults between the ages of 18 and 65 who were suffering from moderate insomnia. The usual dose of saffron extract is 28-30mg. This study compared 20mg and 30mg doses to a placebo for 4 weeks. The saffron or placebo was taken one hour before bedtime.
There was significant improvement on an insomnia scale in both saffron groups compared to the placebo, especially for how people fell asleep and the duration of sleep. A sleep quality scale also showed significant improvement in quality of sleep in both saffron groups versus placebo.

But the benefit didn’t stop there. While there was no change in the people’s perception of stress in the placebo group, there was significant improvement in both saffron groups. And there was also significant improvement in depression and anxiety in the 30mg saffron group versus placebo.

The saffron was well tolerated. This study of people with moderate insomnia adds to the evidence that saffron is a powerful herb for insomnia, stress, anxiety and depression.

Sleep Med X. July 9, 2025;10:100147.