Do saffron supplements cause any adverse effects?

Saffron Supplements: Side Effects Profile

Saffron supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated, with only mild and infrequent side effects reported in clinical trials, and no serious adverse reactions documented. 1, 2, 3, 4

Common Mild Side Effects

The most frequently reported side effects from saffron supplementation are minor gastrointestinal and systemic symptoms that rarely lead to discontinuation:

• Nausea - most commonly reported 4
• Dry mouth 4
• Poor appetite 4
• Headache 4

These effects were documented across multiple meta-analyses examining clinical trials, but occurred infrequently and were generally mild in severity. 4

Safety Profile from Clinical Trials

In the largest randomized controlled trial to date (n=202 adults over 12 weeks), no serious adverse reactions were reported with 28 mg daily saffron supplementation. 3 This finding is consistent across multiple systematic reviews and meta-analyses that have examined saffron's safety profile. 2, 4

A comprehensive meta-research review of 19 systematic reviews with meta-analyses confirmed that saffron is safe for administration as a medicine, with side effects being rare overall. 1, 4

Allergic Considerations

Saffron can trigger allergic reactions in susceptible individuals and may be used in oral food challenge testing for spice allergies. 5 Skin prick testing may be helpful in screening for natural additives including saffron in patients with suspected allergic reactions. 5

Perioperative Context

In the perioperative setting, saffron is not specifically mentioned as requiring discontinuation before surgery, unlike many other supplements with antiplatelet effects or CNS depression properties. 5 This suggests it lacks significant bleeding risk or anesthetic interaction concerns that would warrant preoperative cessation.

Clinical Implications

The safety profile of saffron compares favorably to conventional antidepressant and anti-anxiety medications, with clinical trials demonstrating antidepressant properties similar to fluoxetine, imipramine, and citalopram, but with fewer reported side effects. 2 This makes saffron an attractive option for patients concerned about medication tolerability, though the evidence base requires strengthening through larger, higher-quality trials. 4