Soothing Saffron

When anxiety strikes

Most of us experience anxiety when we take exams, have job interviews, make difficult decisions, or face other stressful situations. However, anxiety can become a mental health condition when it impairs a person’s ability to function, causes them to overreact, or prevents them from controlling their responses to situations.

Anxiety disorders are characterized by anxious thoughts and feelings that make it difficult to get through the day, including nervousness, fear, dread, sweating, and a rapid heartbeat.

Genetic or environmental factors can contribute to anxiety disorders. Some of these factors include:

• stressful or traumatic events
• a family history of mental health conditions
• feeling uncomfortable with and having a tendency of avoiding unfamiliar people, situations, or environments

Additionally, women are more vulnerable than men to anxiety disorders, although there is still uncertainty as to whether that is due to monthly hormonal fluctuations or due to higher levels of testosterone in men easing anxiety.

Promising research for anxiety sufferers

A growing body of research indicates saffron may be valuable in the prevention or treatment of anxiety. Lauren Hauswirth, product development manager at Genuine Health, says “Saffron is a very gentle yet effective botanical with few contraindications or interactions with pharmaceuticals, so it is an accessible option for people who have been struggling with their mental health.”

A 2016 study involving 60 participants with depression and anxiety found that saffron was as effective as citalopram, a drug used in the treatment of anxiety.

In a double-blind study published in 2017 , researchers found that Affron^®, a standardized extract of crocus stigmas (saffron), effectively reduced anxiety and managed stress levels in 128 healthy adults over the four-week study duration.

Another double-blind study published in 2016 also found saffron had a significant impact when used over the 12-week study duration on 60 patients with anxiety and depression.

Supplementing with saffron

Hauswirth recommends “choosing a saffron supplement that is research supported,” adding that because “there are many different standardizations and extract ratios available, you’ll want to find one that has been specifically studied for the outcome you want to achieve.”

She recommends 28 mg of saffron standardized extract known as Affron®. A great option, in addition to 28 mg of Affron, according to Hauswirth, is adding KSM-66® Ashwagandha, which has been found to reduce stress and support brain health, as well as passionflower, a well-known botanical used to calm the nervous system. The blend works  to support people dealing with stress and anxiety and help them return to a state of genuine health.

A typical dose of Affron in clinical trials was 30 to 200 mg of saffron daily. Five grams or higher is believed to create toxicity and should be avoided.

Consult your healthcare practitioner prior to taking saffron and avoid saffron supplements during pregnancy. Always choose a reputable brand to ensure you’re getting pure saffron.

Cooking with saffron

Saffron is available as a spice in powder or thread forms. The latter is less likely to have been diluted with other substances.

It’s easy to add saffron to your daily diet. Simply add a pinch of threads to a couple of tablespoons of hot water for about 15 minutes to deepen its flavor. Once steeped, add it to savory dishes such as rice, quinoa, farro, soups, and stews. Saffron rice makes an excellent accompaniment to curries as well. However, avoid using excessive amounts, as it can produce a medicinal flavor.