What is the appropriate dosage of saffron (Crocus sativus) for insomnia?

From the Guidelines

The most appropriate dosage of saffron for sleep improvement is not explicitly stated in the provided evidence, but based on general knowledge, a typical dosage ranges from 28-30 mg per day, taken about 30-60 minutes before bedtime 1.

Important Considerations

• Saffron appears to work by influencing serotonin levels in the brain, which helps regulate sleep-wake cycles and mood.
• It contains compounds like crocin and safranal that have mild sedative and anxiolytic properties.
• Start with the lower end of the dosage range and monitor your response.
• If you're taking any medications, especially antidepressants or sleep medications, consult with a healthcare provider before adding saffron supplements as interactions are possible.
• Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have bleeding disorders should exercise caution with saffron supplementation.

Evidence Review

The provided evidence does not directly address the use of saffron for sleep improvement. However, it discusses various pharmacological treatments for chronic insomnia, including orexin receptor agonists, BZD receptor agonists, zaleplon, zolpidem, benzodiazepines, melatonin agonists, heterocyclics, anticonvulsants, and over-the-counter preparations 1.

Key Points

• The American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic treatment of chronic insomnia in adults suggests using suvorexant, eszopiclone, zaleplon, zolpidem, and ramelteon as treatments for sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia 1.
• The guideline also recommends against using trazodone, tiagabine, diphenhydramine, melatonin, and valerian as treatments for sleep onset or sleep maintenance insomnia 1.
• The American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline for the management of chronic insomnia disorder in adults recommends using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) as the initial treatment and considering pharmacological therapy only when CBT-I is unsuccessful 1.

From the Research

Dosage of Saffron for Sleep

• The appropriate dosage of saffron for sleep can vary, but studies have used the following dosages:
  • 14 mg twice daily 2
  • 14 mg or 28 mg per day, 1 hour before bed 3
  • 15.5 mg per day 4
• These dosages have been associated with improvements in sleep quality, including increased sleep duration, improved sleep latency, and enhanced overall sleep experience 2, 3, 4
• Saffron has been found to be well-tolerated and safe, with no reported significant adverse effects 2, 3, 4
• A systematic review of randomized controlled trials also suggests that saffron has a beneficial influence on the duration and quality of sleep, with saffron, crocin, and safranal inducing hypnotic effects by increasing the duration of sleep 5