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Precautions

As with any herb or drug it is important to understand the dosage guidelines when using saffron. Saffron has been used as a spice and food for centuries and is well tolerated. Many studies use a therapeutic dose of 30mg of saffron extract or around 90-180mg equivalent dry stigma per day and this is considered safe (17). Considering the chemical profile of saffron and its antidepressant qualities, using the herb alongside antidepressant, sedative and hypertensive medications should be carefully supervised. Always proceed with caution when taking therapeutic doses of herbal medicines alongside any medication. High doses of saffron are cautioned in pregnancy and lactation as studies confirming its safety are limited.

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References

Braun L. Cohen M. Herbs Natural Supplements – An evidence-based guide. 4th Edition, Volume 2, Churchill Livingstone, Sydney, 2015, pp.865-870

Bagur MJ, Alonso Salinas GL, Jiménez-Monreal AM, Chaouqi S, Llorens S, Martínez-Tomé M et al. Saffron: An Old Medicinal Plant and a Potential Novel Functional Food. Molecules. (2017) Dec 23;23(1):30.

Leone S, Recinella L, Chiavaroli A, Orlando G, Ferrante C, Leporini L, Brunetti L, Menghini L et al. Phytotherapic use of the Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) and its potential applications: A brief overview. Phytotherapy Research. (2018) 32:2364–2375.

Tóth B, Hegyi P, Lantos T, Szakács Z, Kerémi B, Varga G, Tenk J, Pétervári E, Balaskó M, Rumbus Z, Rakonczay Z, Bálint ER, Kiss T, Csupor D. The Efficacy of Saffron in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Meta-analysis. Planta Med. (2019) Jan 85(1):24-31.

Sarris J et al. Herbal medicine for depression, anxiety and insomnia: a review of psychopharmacology and clinical evidence. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. (2011) Dec;21(12):841-60

Hausenblas HA et al. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and major depressive disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Integr Med. (2013) Nov;11(6):377- 83

Shahmansouri N et al. A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with fluoxetine for improving mild to moderate depression in post percutaneous coronary intervention patients. J Affect Disord 155 (2014):216-222

Akhondzadeh BA et al. Comparison of peta lof Crocus sativus L. and fluoxetine in the treatment of depressed outpatients: a pilor double-blind randomized trial. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiartry 31.2 (2007):439-422

Noorbala AA et al. Hydro-alcoholic extract of Crocus sativus L. verses fluoxetine in the treatment of mild to moderate depression: a double-blind, randomized pilot trial. J Ethnopharmacol 97.2 (2005):281-284

Sarris J. Herbal medicines in the treatment of psychiatric disorders: 10-year updated review. Phytotherapy Research. (2018):1–16

Anha-Hosseini M et al. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo controlled trial. BJPG 115.4 (2008): 515-519

Finley JW, Gao S. A Perspective on Crocus sativus L. (Saffron) Constituent Crocin: A Potent Water-Soluble Antioxidant and Potential Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease. J Agric Food Chem. (2017) Feb 8;65(5):1005-1020

Broadhead GK, Grigg JR, McCluskey P, Hong T, Schlub TE, Chang AA. Saffron therapy for the treatment of mild/moderate age-related macular degeneration: a randomised clinical trial. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2019 Jan;257(1):31-40.

Piccardi M, Fadda A, Martelli F, Marangoni D, Magli A, Minnella AM et al. Antioxidant Saffron and Central Retinal Function in ABCA4-Related Stargardt Macular Dystrophy. Nutrients. 2019 Oct 15;11(10):2461.

Falsini B, Piccardi M, Minnella A, Savastano C, Capoluongo E, Fadda A et al. Influence of saffron supplementation on retinal flicker sensitivity in early age-related macular degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2010 Dec;51(12):6118-24.

Heitmar R, Brown J, Kyrou I. Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in Ocular Diseases: A Narrative Review of the Existing Evidence from Clinical Studies. Nutrients. 2019 Mar; 11(3): 649.

Bostan HB, Mehri S, Hosseinzadeh H. Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review. Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2017 Feb;20(2):110-121.