Info: 60 Vegi-Caps; Limited Quantity Available
Although many Westerners may know it solely as a prohibitively expensive spice or dye, the saffron crocus flower and especially the long threads (or "stigma") extending from their centre have also had a wide array of traditional medicinal uses in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, going back to antiquity.
Info: 60 Vegi-Caps; Limited Quantity Available
Although many Westerners may know it solely as a prohibitively expensive spice or dye, the saffron crocus flower and especially the long threads (or "stigma") extending from their centre have also had a wide array of traditional medicinal uses in Asian and Middle Eastern cultures, going back to antiquity.
Product Notes:
Many of these uses and the complex properties of the saffron plant are now being rediscovered and studied extensively by medical science, with two applications in particular really standing out as promising alternatives to conventional treatments: improving mood and maintaining eye health. Two new ones have also appeared on the horizon: as a sleeping aid, and for reducing hyperactivity symptoms.
Saffron 'Stigma' Threads
Researchers have identified more than 150 compounds in saffron, conferring many important properties (especially anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory), and many have concentrated on the ones related to its traditional uses to improve people's mood. Quite a number of studies have found that saffron does indeed have a variety of beneficial effects on the neurotransmitter system that helps regulate mood, stress, and appetite.
In fact, many have found it works as well as some standard antidepressants in the treatment of mild to moderate major depressive disorder, with several possible explanations why (with evidence of it being a monoamine reuptake inhibitor (especially of serotonin); inhibiting the NMDA receptor; and reducing homocysteine levels).
A side benefit of that is that it can reduce people's urges to eat more, by making them feel more full. It's also been found to be able to relieve feelings of anxiety, similar to the way GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) can.
Eye Health
Concerning eye health, saffron was found to be able to significantly increase reduced blood flow in the retina and choroid (which is a factor in ischemic retinopathy and/or age-related macular degeneration), which facilitated some recovery of retinal function (Xuan et al.. 1999).
Subsequently, there have been quite a number of studies on saffron having a significant neuroprotective effect on age-related macular degeneration (AMD): protecting the retina against damage and inhibiting photoreceptor and retinal degeneration or dysfunction.
This includes 6 published clinical studies which found visual acuity significantly improved using from 20 to 50 mg a day even for just three months, with one of them also finding that central macular thickness (CMT) decreased in those with the wet form of AMD, and another that contrast sensitivity (CS) improved. And as Heitmar (2019) explains with references to the scientific literature identifying several possible mechanisms of action, saffron may also be able to help with other ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and primary open angle glaucoma, owing to its anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-atherogenic, and anti-hypertensive effects.
Sleep & Hyperactivity
Regarding improving sleep quality, a new clinical study of people with self-reported sleep problems conducted by Lopresti et al. (2020) found overall insomnia was reduced by 25%, with subjects reporting finding it less difficult to fall asleep and having fewer interruptions in their sleep, and feeling more alert and refreshed when awakening.
In addition, among those with depression, there have been at least three other clinical trials prior to that showing an improvement in the PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) scores.
Finally, ther have also been some recent studies on its effects on young people with ADHD, which found it helped with the hyperactivity symptoms.
Why is Saffron so Valuable?
Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world, sometimes reaching $45,000 per kilo. This is because the flowers of the Crocus sativus, must be harvested by hand. It takes almost 200,000 flowers to get 80 grams of saffron.
Over the past millennia, saffron has been traditionally used as a painkiller and as a remedy for rheumatism, in addition to being used as a fragrant cooking spice and a dye.
Related Product: See Saffron 2020 XP from Persavita.
Ingredients:
Pure saffron. Each capsule contains:
15 mg Crocus sativus extract (2% safranal), from the dried stigma (threads) of the Crocus sativus flower.
Non-medicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose and maltodextrin (from organic rice).
AOR guarantees that all ingredients have been declared on the label. AOR Saffron contains no wheat, gluten, corn, nuts, peanuts, sesame seeds, sulphites, mustard, soy, dairy, eggs, fish, shellfish, or animal byproducts.
Part of AOR's Advanced series, this is a vegan, non-GMO, and gluten-free pure saffron product.
Suggested Usage:
Adults: Take 1 capsule twice a day, or as directed by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Warnings:
Do not use saffron supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are taking blood thinners/anticoagulants or have a bleeding disorder. Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking serotonergic drugs, or if you suffer from any psychological disorder and/or condition such as frequent anxiety or depression. Consult a health care practitioner if your symptoms persist or worsen.
Health Canada Natural Product Number: 80074384.
Supporting Science:
“Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) 2016 Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Adults with Major Depressive Disorder: Section 5. Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments.” Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 2016.
“Crocus Sativus L. (saffron) versus sertraline on symptoms of depression among older people with major depressive disorders-a double-blind, randomized intervention study.” Psychiatry Research, 2019.
“Crocus sativus L. vrsus methylphenidate in treatment of children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A randomized, double-blind pilot study.” Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology, 2019.
“Effectivity of saffron extract (Saffr'Activ) on treatment for children and adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A clinical effectivity study.” Nutrients, 2022.
“Effects of crocin analogs on ocular blood flow and retinal function.” Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 1999.
“Effects of Saffron on Sleep Quality in Healthy Adults With Self-Reported Poor Sleep: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 2020.
“Saffron improved depression and reduced homocysteine level in patients with major depression: A Randomized, double-blind study.” Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 2018.
“The Efficacy of Saffron in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Meta-analysis.” Planta Medica, 2019.