Saffron News and Research

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Saffron is an East Indian plant that is a member of the ginger family and is used as a spice and food color. The underground stems are used in some cultures to treat certain stomach problems. The substance in Indian saffron that gives it a yellow color (curcumin) is being studied in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer disease, cystic fibrosis, and psoriasis. The scientific name is Curcuma longa. Also called jiang huang and turmeric.

This edible flower could do more than brighten a plate

A review of 76 publications finds that pot marigold contains more than 500 reported secondary metabolites, along with natural pigments, antioxidants, and substantial dietary fiber. Early food studies report promising results in yogurt, bread, pasta, and edible oils, but limited product trials and no clinical evidence currently prevent human health claims.

28 Jul 2026

Herbal remedies show promise for treating depression

This scoping review analyzes OTC products for depression, uncovering effective treatments and emphasizing the need for further studies on herbal efficacy.

4 Aug 2025

New review identifies promising and under-researched OTC depression aids

Most people have heard of St John's Wort and omega-3s. But did you know there are a lot more over-the-counter herbal products and supplements out there targeting depression? In our review of clinical trials of these products, we found 64 different over-the-counter (OTC) products that have been evaluated for depression – but with differing levels of evidence for each.

16 Jul 2025

Does soup really work when you’re down with cold or flu?

A systematic review found that chicken-based and vegetable-enriched soups may modestly reduce the severity and duration of acute respiratory tract infections. However, stronger evidence is needed before soup can be recommended as a clinical treatment.

10 Jul 2025

Can saffron treat Alzheimer’s and depression?

Saffron shows promise as a natural treatment for depression and cognitive decline, performing as well as standard drugs in clinical trials. However, more rigorous studies are needed before saffron can be recommended in mainstream psychiatric and dementia care.

26 Jun 2025

Mediterranean plants show promise for cardiovascular disease treatment

A study initiated from a final degree project at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, with the involvement of researchers from the INc-UAB, the University of Barcelona and Cuban and Chilean institutions, has resulted in an exhaustive bibliographic review of a group of Mediterranean plants, whose active principles are attributed pharmacological actions in the field of cardiovascular diseases most affecting the population.

12 Dec 2024

Impact of oxidative stress, gut, and diet on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder pathophysiology

Oxidative stress and gut microbiome interactions are key in ADHD pathogenesis, with diet playing a crucial role in managing symptoms and improving outcomes.

18 Sep 2024

Saffron: A golden remedy for modern health challenges

Review highlights saffron's potential in preventing and treating various human diseases through its bioactive compounds. Clinical and preclinical studies confirm saffron's benefits in conditions like maculopathy, depression, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer.

21 Jul 2024

New sleep-enhancing nutraceutical blend falls short in clinical trial

Study investigates the impact of a unique nutraceutical blend, combining L-theanine with valerian, saffron, and lemon balm extracts, on improving sleep quality, finding no significant difference compared to a placebo in individuals experiencing poor sleep.

10 Apr 2024

Spicing up diabetes management: Mediterranean diet's aromatic herbs lower blood sugar

Aromatic herbs and spices in the Mediterranean diet, especially black cumin, cinnamon, ginger, curcumin, and saffron, have been found to significantly improve glycemic profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.

10 Mar 2024

Spicing up the fight: Saffron's powerful impact on prostate cancer revealed

Saffron-treated prostate cancer (PCa) cells.

3 Jan 2024

Leaky gut linked to depressive disorders: New insights into microbiota-induced epigenetic changes

A study in the journal Genes highlights how a leaky gut can lead to depressive disorders through changes in gut microbiota-derived metabolites, emphasizing the role of diet, environmental factors, and probiotics in managing these conditions.

18 Dec 2023

Blooming health: Unfolding the petal-perfect virtues of edible flowers

A comprehensive review of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of edible flowers highlights their role in health, food security, and environmental sustainability. This study provides insight into the nutritional content of flowers, their potential health benefits due to bioactive compounds, and innovative sustainable uses like phytoremediation and natural dyes.

9 Nov 2023

Epidemic: Bodies remember what was done to them

Global fears of overpopulation in the '60s and '70s helped fuel India's campaign to slow population growth.

10 Oct 2023

New nano-thin superbug-slaying material could revolutionize wound healing

Researchers have invented a nano-thin superbug-slaying material that could one day be integrated into wound dressings and implants to prevent or heal bacterial infections.

14 Sep 2023

Embracing nature's medicine: exploring medicinal plants for diabetes treatment

Researchers described 20 medicinal plants, their bioactive phytochemical components, therapeutic potential, modes of action, and prospects and ability to combat diabetes mellitus.

27 Jul 2023

Spicing up rheumatic disease treatment: Study explores role of herbs and spices in improving patients' condition

Research explores the potential benefits of herbs and spices in rheumatic diseases, highlighting their bioactive compounds and medicinal properties. It provides an updated review of their mechanisms of action and summarizes human studies in Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoarthritis, and Fibromyalgia.

4 Jul 2023

New Mediterranean plant-based smoothies show promising health benefits, study finds

A recent study published in the Antioxidants journal analyzed the potential health-promoting activities of innovative smoothies made from some typical Mediterranean plant products, such as apple (Malus domestica (Md) juice, strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo (Au) fruit puree and enriched with Myrtus communis (Mc) purple berry extract, Crocus sativus (Cs) petal juice, Acca sellowiana (As), and Diospyros kaki (Dk) fruits.

28 Mar 2023

Eating flowers to promote health and prevent disease

Do people eat flowers? Yes, many of them. Experts say that the Greeks, Romans, and French during the Middle Ages and the English during the Victorian era included edible flowers in their cuisine, either as appetizers or to enhance the flavor of the dish.

15 Dec 2022