7 Best Saffron Supplements (2026): affron, Safr’Inside & Satiereal Doses Compared

At a Glance

• Best Overall Sports Research Pure Saffron – 30 mg of affron saffron extract in one small softgel a day, close to the 28 mg used in mood trials, at the lowest cost per day of the trial-dose picks.Review ↓
• Best Exact Trial Dose Natural Factors Stress-Relax Saffron Extract – 28 mg of affron, the same extract and daily dose that improved mood and sleep in placebo-controlled trials.Review ↓
• Best NSF-Certified Thorne Rapid Relief Saffron – 30 mg of Safr’Inside extract, NSF Contents Certified.Review ↓
• Best for Sleep Solaray Saffron Extract – 30 mg of affron, the extract tested for sleep quality; sleep is the second-most-mentioned buyer theme.Review ↓
• Best for Appetite Life Extension Optimized Saffron – Satiereal, the extract that reduced snacking in an 8-week trial.Review ↓

The Short Answer: The best saffron supplements give 28 to 30 mg a day of a standardized extract made from the stigma, the red threads of the saffron flower. That is the dose used in most mood, stress and sleep trials¹²³. Our top pick is Sports Research Pure Saffron: one softgel gives 30 mg of affron, a stigma extract tested in several placebo-controlled trials, and it has the lowest cost per day of the trial-dose products we compared. Natural Factors Stress-Relax Saffron Extract matches the 28 mg trial dose exactly. Many popular “88.5 mg” saffron products list the flower as the source, not the stigma, and do not match a tested extract.

On this page

1. Do You Actually Need a Saffron Supplement?
2. Find Your Match
3. Saffron Supplements Compared
4. The 7 Best Saffron Supplements, Reviewed
5. Products We Didn’t Recommend
6. Evidence Scorecard
7. How to Take Saffron Supplements
8. Safety, Side Effects & Drug Interactions
9. How to Choose a Saffron Supplement
10. Frequently Asked Questions
11. Final Verdict

We compared the Supplement Facts of 18 saffron supplements, checked each extract and dose against the research, and looked at the plant part, standardization, testing and fillers. Each product gets a BFN Score relative to the others in this guide. Our review process explains how we score.

Do You Actually Need a Saffron Supplement?

Saffron is a spice, and the amounts used in cooking are small. The trials used concentrated extracts in capsules, so food is not a practical way to reach those doses.

A saffron supplement may be worth considering if:

• Your mood is low but you are not in treatment: across 23 trials, saffron improved depressive and anxiety symptoms compared with placebo, although the authors found signs of publication bias¹.
• You feel stressed or anxious most days: 28 mg of affron improved mood and stress scores in adults with low mood over 4 weeks².
• You sleep poorly: 14 mg of affron twice a day improved insomnia scores in 28 days³.
• You have premenstrual symptoms: 30 mg a day reduced premenstrual symptoms over two cycles¹³.
• You snack between meals: 176.5 mg a day of Satiereal reduced snacking in mildly overweight women⁶.

Set expectations: most saffron trials were small and short, many were funded by extract makers, and saffron is not a substitute for medical care for depression.

Who Should Skip It (or Ask First)

• Pregnant women: higher doses of saffron have been linked to uterine stimulation and miscarriage risk¹²
• Anyone taking antidepressants: one trial tested saffron as an add-on safely⁴, but ask your doctor before combining
• Anyone taking blood pressure medicine: a high dose lowered blood pressure in healthy volunteers¹⁰
• Children and teens: see our guide to saffron for kids and ask a pediatrician first

Find Your Match

If you…	Consider	Why
Want the best all-round value at a trial dose	Sports Research	affron 30 mg, one softgel
Want the exact dose used in trials	Natural Factors	affron 28 mg
Want independent certification	Thorne	NSF Contents Certified
Mainly want better sleep	Solaray	affron 30 mg, sleep-focused buyers
Want help with snacking	Life Extension	Satiereal, tested for snacking
Prefer whole saffron stigma over an extract	NOW Foods	50 mg stigma, 10% crocins
Want a large bottle at the lowest cost	Nutricost	240 capsules

Saffron Supplements Compared

Scroll sideways to see every column →

#	Product	Extract & Plant Part	Dose per Day	Matches a Trial?	Servings	Testing	Cost
1	Sports Research	affron (stigma)	30 mg	Yes, mood and sleep23	60	“Third party tested”	$$$
2	Natural Factors	affron (stigma)	28 mg	Yes, mood and sleep23	30	DNA-verified identity	$$$
3	Thorne	Safr’Inside (stigma)	30 mg	Yes, mood5	30	NSF Contents Certified	$$$
4	Solaray	affron (stigma)	30 mg	Yes, mood and sleep23	30	In-house testing	$$$
5	Life Extension	Satiereal (stigma)	156 mg	Close, snacking6	30	Not stated	$$$
6	NOW Foods	Whole stigma, 10% crocins	50 mg	No product trial	60	Intertek GMP	$$$
7	Nutricost	Extract (flower), 0.3% safranal	88.5 mg	No	240	“Third-party tested”	$$$

Cost tiers per day: $ under $0.60 · $$ $0.60–$1.20 · $$$ over $1.20 (checked November 2026).

The 7 Best Saffron Supplements, Reviewed

#1Best Overall

1. Sports Research Pure Saffron

BFN Score9.6/10

$$$Budget60 servings1 softgel per serving

Strongest atValue & practicalityWeakest atQuality & testing

Sports Research uses affron, a standardized saffron stigma extract, at 30 mg in one plant-based softgel. affron has been tested in placebo-controlled trials in adults with low mood, poor sleep and persistent depression.

Check price on Amazon →

Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus, stigma) as affron

Dose per serving

30 mg

Dose vs. research

Slightly above the 28 mg a day that improved mood in adults² and sleep in poor sleepers³

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

“Third party tested” (lab not named); Non-GMO Project Verified

Other ingredients

Plantgel capsule (non-GMO modified tapioca starch, vegetable glycerin, purified water, annatto and lycopene for color), coconut MCT oil, rice bran wax, sunflower lecithin

Additives

Clean; colored with annatto and lycopene

Allergens & diet

Vegan, gluten-free; contains coconut

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

In 128 adults with low mood, 28 mg a day of affron for 4 weeks improved mood, stress and anxiety scores compared with placebo; 22 mg had no effect². In 63 poor sleepers, 14 mg twice a day improved insomnia scores in 28 days³.

Strengths

• Trial-matched extract
• One small softgel
• Lowest cost per day of the trial-dose picks

Limitations

• Testing lab not named
• Contains coconut
• Newer product, smaller buyer base

Practical Details

Take one softgel a day. The mood trials ran 4 to 8 weeks, so give it at least a month²⁴.

Best For / Not For

Best foradults who want a trial-dose saffron extract at a low daily cost.

Not foranyone with a coconut allergy.

Buyer Experience

Buyers report a better mood and less stress, like the small softgels, and some notice fewer cravings for sweets.

Some notice no effect.

vs. Natural Factors Stress-Relax Saffron Extract

Choose Sports Research for a softgel and a lower cost per day. Choose Natural Factors for the exact 28 mg trial dose in a capsule.

Nutritionist’s Note

Saffron is not a quick fix. Track your mood or sleep for four weeks before deciding whether it helps.

Verdict: The best value way to get a trial-tested saffron extract at the studied dose.

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#2Best Exact Trial Dose

2. Natural Factors Stress-Relax Saffron Extract

BFN Score9.5/10

$$$Mid-range30 servings1 capsule per serving

Strongest atEvidence fitWeakest atQuality & testing

Natural Factors gives 28 mg of affron in one capsule, standardized to 3.5% Lepticrosalides, the same daily amount used in the main affron trials.

Check price on Amazon →

Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus, stigma) as affron, 3.5% Lepticrosalides

Dose per serving

28 mg

Dose vs. research

Matches the 28 mg a day used for mood², sleep³ and as an add-on to antidepressants⁴

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

DNA-verified identity (brand claim); independent lab not named

Other ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, vegetarian capsule (hypromellose), purified water, magnesium stearate, stearic acid, silica

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

Vegan; brand states no dairy, gluten, soy, nuts or eggs

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

In 139 adults with persistent depression who were already taking an antidepressant, 14 mg of affron twice a day for 8 weeks reduced clinician-rated depression scores by 41%, compared with 21% for placebo, although self-rated scores did not differ⁴.

Strengths

• Exact trial dose
• Standardized active compounds
• Identity-tested ingredient

Limitations

• Only 30 capsules
• Testing lab not named
• Stomach upset for some

Practical Details

Take one capsule a day. In the trials, the 28 mg dose was split into two 14 mg doses³⁴; one daily capsule gives the same total.

Best For / Not For

Best forpeople who want to match the trial dose exactly.

Not foranyone who wants a larger bottle.

Buyer Experience

Buyers report a lifted mood without jitters and better sleep.

Some report stomach upset, and some find it pricey for 30 capsules.

vs. Sports Research Pure Saffron

Choose Natural Factors for the exact 28 mg dose in a capsule. Choose Sports Research for twice as many servings at a lower cost per day.

Nutritionist’s Note

If you take an antidepressant, saffron was tested as an add-on in one trial⁴, but do not start it without telling your prescriber.

Verdict: The closest match to the affron trials, in a simple one-a-day capsule.

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#3Best NSF-Certified

3. Thorne Rapid Relief Saffron

BFN Score9.4/10

$$$Premium30 servings1 capsule per serving

Strongest atQuality & testingWeakest atValue & practicality

Thorne uses 30 mg of Safr’Inside, a stigma extract tested in a placebo-controlled trial for mood and stress, and is the only product on our list with NSF Contents Certification.

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Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus, stigma) as Safr’Inside

Dose per serving

30 mg

Dose vs. research

Matches the 30 mg a day used in the Safr’Inside trial⁵

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

NSF Contents Certified (brand listing)

Other ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose capsule, calcium laurate

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

No major allergens listed

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

In 56 healthy adults with low mood, anxiety or stress, 30 mg a day of Safr’Inside for 8 weeks lowered depression scores and improved social relationships compared with placebo. A single dose also reduced the drop in heart rate variability during a lab stress test⁵. The extract maker funded the trial.

Strengths

• NSF Contents Certified
• Trial-matched extract and dose
• Small capsule

Limitations

• Highest cost per day
• Small buyer base
• Industry-funded trial

Practical Details

Take one capsule a day. The trial ran 8 weeks⁵.

Best For / Not For

Best forpeople who want independent certification.

Not foranyone on a tight budget.

Buyer Experience

Buyers report a steadier mood and like the tiny capsules.

Some say the bottle is small for the price.

vs. Natural Factors Stress-Relax Saffron Extract

Choose Thorne for NSF certification. Choose Natural Factors for a lower cost and an extract with more trials.

Nutritionist’s Note

The trial also tested a single dose during a lab stress test⁵, but the mood benefits were measured after 8 weeks of daily use.

Verdict: The best-verified saffron supplement, at a premium price.

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#4Best for Sleep

4. Solaray Saffron Extract

BFN Score9.2/10

$$$Mid-range30 servings1 capsule per serving

Strongest atEvidence fitWeakest atQuality & testing

Solaray gives 30 mg of affron, standardized to 1 mg (3.5%) Lepticrosalides, in one capsule, with a short list of other ingredients.

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Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus, stigma) as affron, 3.5% Lepticrosalides

Dose per serving

30 mg

Dose vs. research

Slightly above the 28 mg a day used in the affron sleep and mood trials²³

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

Brand states three rounds of in-house testing; no independent lab named

Other ingredients

Glycine, cellulose, vegetable cellulose capsule, silica

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

Vegan, gluten-free

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

In adults with self-reported poor sleep, affron at 14 mg twice a day improved insomnia severity, restorative sleep and sleep quality ratings compared with placebo over 28 days, with no reported side effects³.

Strengths

• Trial-matched extract
• Short ingredient list
• High buyer rating

Limitations

• No independent testing
• Only 30 capsules
• Large capsule

Practical Details

Take one capsule a day with a glass of water, as the label directs.

Best For / Not For

Best forpeople who mainly want help with sleep quality.

Not foranyone who wants third-party verification.

Buyer Experience

Buyers report a better mood, waking up less anxious, deeper sleep and better focus.

vs. Sports Research Pure Saffron

Choose Solaray for a capsule with fewer other ingredients. Choose Sports Research for third-party testing and a lower cost per day.

Nutritionist’s Note

Saffron was tested for sleep quality, not as a sedative. If you have long-term insomnia, see a doctor; see also our guide to sleep supplements without melatonin.

Verdict: A clean, trial-dose affron capsule with strong buyer feedback on sleep.

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#5Best for Appetite

5. Life Extension Optimized Saffron

BFN Score9.0/10

$$$Mid-range30 servings2 capsules per serving

Strongest atPurity & additivesWeakest atEvidence fit

Life Extension uses Satiereal, a stigma extract standardized to 0.34% safranal, at 78 mg per capsule, taken twice a day for 156 mg.

Check price on Amazon →

Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus, stigma) as Satiereal, 0.34% safranal

Dose per serving

156 mg a day (78 mg twice daily)

Dose vs. research

Close to the 176.5 mg a day that reduced snacking in an 8-week trial⁶

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

Not stated

Other ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, acacia gum, vegetable cellulose capsule, silica

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

Vegetarian

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

In 60 mildly overweight women, 176.5 mg a day of Satiereal for 8 weeks reduced snacking frequency and body weight more than placebo, without any diet change⁶. Satiereal has not been tested for mood in the same way as affron.

Strengths

• Extract tested for snacking
• Clean ingredient list
• Large buyer base

Limitations

• Slightly below trial dose
• Two capsules a day
• Mixed results on appetite

Practical Details

Take one capsule twice a day, as the label directs.

Best For / Not For

Best forpeople who want help with between-meal snacking.

Not forpeople looking mainly for mood support.

Buyer Experience

Buyers report more energy, a better mood and fewer cravings.

Opinions on appetite control and value for money are mixed.

vs. Sports Research Pure Saffron

Choose Life Extension for the extract tested for snacking. Choose Sports Research for the extract tested for mood and sleep.

Nutritionist’s Note

The trial measured snacking with a food diary. Keep a simple log so you can see whether it changes your own habits.

Verdict: The only pick built around the appetite research.

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#6Best Whole-Stigma Powder

6. NOW Foods Saffron 50 mg

BFN Score8.9/10

$$$Budget60 servings1 capsule per serving

Strongest atValue & practicalityWeakest atEvidence fit

NOW uses ground whole saffron stigma rather than an extract, standardized to at least 10% total crocins, at 50 mg per capsule.

Check price on Amazon →

Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron (Crocus sativus, stigma), whole stigma standardized to 10% total crocins

Dose per serving

50 mg

Dose vs. research

An early trial used 30 mg a day of stigma capsules¹³; this exact product has not been tested

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

Brand states in-house quality testing in an Intertek GMP-certified facility

Other ingredients

Microcrystalline cellulose, hypromellose capsule, stearic acid, silicon dioxide

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

Vegetarian

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

Stigma capsules at 30 mg a day reduced premenstrual symptoms in a placebo-controlled trial¹³. NOW gives more stigma per capsule, but whole stigma and branded extracts are not directly comparable.

Strengths

• Whole stigma, not flower
• Crocin standardization
• Low cost per day

Limitations

• No product-specific trial
• Not an extract
• Capsule taste for some

Practical Details

Take one capsule a day.

Best For / Not For

Best forpeople who prefer the spice itself in a capsule.

Not foranyone who wants a branded, tested extract.

Buyer Experience

Buyers praise the quality and report better sleep and a calmer mood.

Opinions on effectiveness are mixed, and some dislike the capsule taste.

vs. Nutricost Saffron

Choose NOW for stigma with a crocin standard. Choose Nutricost for the most capsules per bottle.

Nutritionist’s Note

Crocins give saffron its red color and are among its main active compounds; a stated crocin percentage is a useful quality marker on any saffron label.

Verdict: A low-cost, standardized whole-stigma option without a product trial.

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#7Best Large Bottle

7. Nutricost Saffron Extract 88.5 mg

BFN Score8.2/10

$$$Budget240 servings1 capsule per serving

Strongest atValue & practicalityWeakest atEvidence fit

Nutricost gives 88.5 mg of saffron extract standardized to 0.3% safranal, with 240 capsules per bottle, the most on our list.

Check price on Amazon →

Label Reality Check

Active ingredient + form

Saffron extract (Crocus sativus), plant part listed as flower, 0.3% safranal

Dose per serving

88.5 mg

Dose vs. research

No trial used this extract; most mood trials used 28–30 mg of stigma extract¹²

% DV / Upper Limit

No DV or upper limit for saffron

Purity testing

“Third-party tested” (lab not named)

Other ingredients

Rice flour, hypromellose capsule, magnesium stearate

Additives

Clean

Allergens & diet

Vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free

Safety flags

None at this dose

Clinical Relevance

A small trial found saffron petal capsules (15 mg twice a day) worked as well as fluoxetine for mild to moderate depression over 8 weeks⁷, but the extract in this product has not been tested, and its label does not say whether “flower” means petals or stigma.

Strengths

• 240 capsules per bottle
• Lowest cost per day
• Safranal standardization

Limitations

• “Flower” on the label
• No matching trial
• Mixed results for many buyers

Practical Details

Take one capsule a day with water.

Best For / Not For

Best forbudget buyers who want a large supply.

Not foranyone who wants a trial-dose stigma extract.

Buyer Experience

Buyers like the value and easy-to-swallow capsules, and many report more energy and a lighter mood.

Effectiveness is mixed, and some report headaches.

vs. NOW Foods Saffron 50 mg

Choose Nutricost for the largest bottle at the lowest cost. Choose NOW for stigma standardized to crocins.

Nutritionist’s Note

If you try a lower-cost saffron and feel no change after four weeks, switching to a trial-dose stigma extract is a fairer test than doubling the dose.

Verdict: A budget bottle for long-term use, without the trial match of our top picks.

SEE PRICE ON AMAZON →

Products We Didn’t Recommend

• Clean Nutraceuticals Saffron Supplements (MelloMood): combines 100 mg of saffron flower extract with ashwagandha, rhodiola, L-theanine, 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort. Stacking several mood-active ingredients, including 5-HTP and St. John’s Wort, raises interaction concerns, especially with antidepressants.

Products We Considered

• Nature’s Way Saffron (affron 28 mg) and Swanson Saffron Extract (Safr’Inside 30 mg): trial-matched extracts, but each had fewer than 50 buyer reviews when we checked.
• Vinatura Organic Saffron (affron 28 mg): organic affron with a published certificate of analysis, but a small buyer base.
• Nootropics Depot High Potency Saffron 30 mg: strong standardization (7.5% crocins, 1% safranal), but no branded, tested extract.
• Triquetra SaffronRX Organic: 30 mg of organic stigma extract, but the extract is not named or matched to a trial.
• NutraHarmony, Pure Micronutrients and Luma Nutrition (88.5 mg): popular and well reviewed, but each label lists the flower as the plant part with no standardization.
• Double Wood Saffron Extract 88.5 mg: standardized to 0.3% safranal, but the plant part is not stated.

If stress is your main concern, see our guides to ashwagandha and L-theanine.

Evidence Scorecard

Use	What the research shows	Evidence level
Low mood and depressive symptoms	Large effect vs. placebo across 23 trials, with signs of publication bias1; affron 28 mg improved mood in 4 weeks2	Moderate
Anxiety and stress	Improved anxiety scores in pooled trials1; Safr’Inside 30 mg improved depression scores and stress response5	Moderate
Sleep quality	affron 28 mg improved insomnia scores in 28 days3; a 15.5 mg extract improved sleep quality over 6 weeks15	Limited (small trials)
Premenstrual symptoms	30 mg a day reduced symptoms over two cycles13	Limited (one trial)
Snacking and appetite	Satiereal 176.5 mg reduced snacking and weight in 8 weeks6	Limited (one trial)
Eye health (early AMD)	20 mg a day improved retinal response in 25 patients14	Limited
Add-on to antidepressants	affron improved clinician-rated, not self-rated, depression scores4	Limited

Saffron’s mood research includes more than 20 randomized trials, but most were small, short and run in a few countries¹.

How to Take Saffron Supplements

Goal	Amount studied	Form in the trial
Mood and stress	28–30 mg a day25	affron or Safr’Inside stigma extract
Sleep	28 mg a day, as 14 mg twice daily3	affron
Premenstrual symptoms	30 mg a day, as 15 mg twice daily13	Stigma capsules
Snacking	176.5 mg a day, as two doses6	Satiereal

Take saffron at the same time each day, with or without food. Most trials ran 4 to 8 weeks, so give it at least a month before judging the effect²⁴.

Safety, Side Effects & Drug Interactions

At the doses used in supplements, a review of toxicology studies found no significant toxicity¹¹. In healthy volunteers, 400 mg a day for one week (more than 10 times the usual mood dose) lowered blood pressure and slightly changed some blood counts, within normal ranges¹⁰.

Medication or condition	Possible interaction	What to do
Antidepressants	Tested as an add-on in one trial4; combined effects on serotonin are not well studied	Ask your prescriber first
Blood pressure medicine	High doses lowered blood pressure10	Monitor blood pressure; ask your doctor
Blood thinners	High doses slightly lowered platelets10	Ask your doctor first
Pregnancy	Higher doses linked to uterine stimulation and miscarriage risk12	Avoid supplements unless your doctor approves
Children and teens	One trial in teens aged 12–16 used 28 mg a day16	Ask a pediatrician; see our saffron for kids guide

How to Choose a Saffron Supplement

Form and Absorption

Look for a stigma extract. Saffron spice is the stigma, and most mood and sleep trials used stigma extracts such as affron and Safr’Inside²³⁵. A label that says only “flower” may include petals.

Dose and % DV

Saffron has no daily value. Compare the label with the trial dose: 28–30 mg of a stigma extract for mood, stress and sleep, or about 176 mg of Satiereal for snacking.

Purity Testing

Saffron is often adulterated⁸⁹. Look for an independent certification, such as NSF, or a brand that publishes batch certificates of analysis.

Additives and Allergens

Most saffron capsules are simple. Check softgels for coconut oil and blends for added herbs.

Other Nutrients

Some products add ashwagandha, 5-HTP or St. John’s Wort. These can interact with medicines, so a single-ingredient saffron is easier to judge and safer to combine.

Cost per Effective Dose

Compare the cost per day at the trial dose, not the milligrams per capsule. A higher number on the front label does not mean a stronger dose of a tested extract.

Important: These supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Results vary by individual. If you have a health condition or take medications, check with your doctor before adding any new supplement to your routine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict

The best saffron supplement is Sports Research Pure Saffron: 30 mg of affron, a stigma extract with placebo-controlled trials for mood and sleep, in one softgel a day at a low cost.

Natural Factors matches the 28 mg trial dose exactly, Thorne is the only NSF-certified pick, Solaray is our choice for sleep, Life Extension is built around the snacking research, NOW Foods is the best whole-stigma option, and Nutricost is the best large bottle.

Sources & History16 sources · updated November 12, 2026

References

1. Marx W et al. Effect of saffron supplementation on symptoms of depression and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis — Nutrition Reviews, 2019
2. Kell G et al. 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, 2017
3. Lopresti AL et al. Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial — Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2020
4. Lopresti AL et al. Efficacy of a standardised saffron extract (affron®) as an add-on to antidepressant medication for the treatment of persistent depressive symptoms in adults — Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2019
5. Jackson PA et al. Effects of Saffron Extract Supplementation on Mood, Well-Being, and Response to a Psychosocial Stressor in Healthy Adults — Frontiers in Nutrition, 2021
6. Gout B et al. Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women — Nutrition Research, 2010
7. Akhondzadeh Basti A et al. Comparison of petal of Crocus sativus L. and fluoxetine in the treatment of depressed outpatients: a pilot double-blind randomized trial — Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 2007
8. Mena-García A et al. A Combined Gas and Liquid Chromatographic Approach for Quality Evaluation of Saffron-Based Food Supplements — Foods, 2023
9. ConsumerLab. Saffron Supplements Tested — News Release, February 2023
10. Modaghegh MH et al. Safety evaluation of saffron (Crocus sativus) tablets in healthy volunteers — Phytomedicine, 2008
11. Bostan HB et al. Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review — Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences, 2017
12. Alshdefat A et al. Saffron and Pregnancy: Cultural Practices, Beliefs, and Safety Evidence: An Integrative Review — Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, 2026
13. Agha-Hosseini M et al. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial — BJOG, 2008
14. Falsini B et al. Influence of saffron supplementation on retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration — Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 2010
15. Pachikian BD et al. Effects of Saffron Extract on Sleep Quality: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Clinical Trial — Nutrients, 2021
16. Lopresti AL et al. affron®, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study — Journal of Affective Disorders, 2018

Update history

• November 12, 2026Rebuilt the guide after comparing 18 saffron labels; new #1 (Sports Research, affron 30 mg); matched each product’s extract and dose to the trials; separated stigma extracts from products that list the flower; moved a multi-herb blend with St. John’s Wort and 5-HTP to Products We Didn’t Recommend.