Evidence supporting the use of: Saffron
For the health condition: Insomnia

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Saffron (Crocus sativus) has a long history of use in traditional medicine, but its application for insomnia has also been increasingly supported by scientific studies. Recent clinical research suggests that saffron may help improve sleep quality and manage insomnia symptoms. The primary active compounds in saffron, such as crocin and safranal, are believed to exert sedative and anxiolytic effects, possibly by modulating neurotransmitter pathways, including serotonin and GABA.

A number of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials in adults have demonstrated that daily supplementation with standardized saffron extracts (typically 14-28 mg/day) for 4-8 weeks can significantly improve subjective sleep quality, reduce time to fall asleep, and increase total sleep duration compared to placebo. For example, a 2020 study published in Sleep Medicine found improvements in sleep quality, latency, and duration in adults with mild-to-moderate sleep disturbances. Other studies have echoed these findings, although some have noted modest effect sizes and the need for larger, long-term trials.

While saffron appears well-tolerated at recommended dosages, more research is needed to clarify its mechanisms and optimal dosing for insomnia. Nevertheless, current evidence suggests saffron is a promising natural adjunct for sleep support, bridging both traditional use and emerging scientific validation.

More about saffron
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Other ingredients used for Insomnia

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)
amino acids
ashwagandha
Waterhyssop
benegut perilla (proprietary)
black cumin
Indian frankincense
rice
calcium
California poppy
cassia bark
chamomile
cherry
Chinese salvia root
cinnamon
Coptis chinensis
fennel
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid)
gooseberry
gotu kola
Greek mountain tea
heartwood
hops
jujube
kava
kudzu
L-tryptophan
lactium casein decapeptide
lavender
maca
magnesium
magnolia
Marine lipid
Melatonin
Moringa
Motherwort
ophiopogon root
orange
passionflower
perilla
phytocannabinoids
pollen
polygala root
quail egg
reishi mushroom
rose oil
saffron
sage
scrophularia root
skullcap
Valerian root
vitamin B6
Zinc
catnip
anise
blackboard tree
lingzhi
Szechuan lovage
Morus
silk tree
chrysanthemum
amber
ganoderma
lotus seed
anemarrhena asphodeloides
purslane
aster root
peach
Wood betony
goji berry
soursop
Aralia
Agastache
alpha-terpineol
Angelica
apigenin
anamu
Albizia
Agarwood
Anemone
Alpha lactalbumin
Agrimonia pilosa
Arani
atractylone
betony
black seed
Baikal Skullcap
blackthorn
balsam
bayleaf
big quaking grass
banyan
brahmi
borassus palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bupleurum
Centella triterpenes
Chinese silkvine
Clary sage
Clerodendrum trichotomum
cactus
Cyathula
citron
carry me seed
cannabinol
Cymbopogon martini
Calea zacatechichi
Centella asiatica
Capitate Valerian
corktree
cowslip
cannabidiol
calamus
cherimoya
Corydalis
Carthamus
Clerodendrum indicum
dragonhead
David\'s milkberry
Doxylamine succinate
European Elder
Erodium cicutarium
elk antler
elephant\'s head
Embelia
Flueggea suffruticosa
Ficus religiosa
Ficus simplicissima
fringed pink
frankincense
Gelsemium
geraniol
giant blazingstar
Glycine
Gardenia jasminoides
Homalomena
honeybush
jasmine
Jatoba
jujubosides
Jatamansi
kavalactones
Kukicha
kiwi
Lycium
loquat
lemon balm
Lactucarium
Lady of the Night
Lesser speargrass
Lilium polyphyllum
linden
longan
Lindera
lotus
labrador tea
Large-leaved linden
lily
little ironweed
lupulinum
Loranthus
linalool
Mesua
Myrcene
Marjoram
mallow
mace
Milk Protein
Matapalo Tree
Mimosa
Microtea debilis
Morning glory
magnolol
Mulungu
Macaranga indica
Nardostachys
Night jessamine
Nymphaea caerulea
Nymphaea nouchali
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Onosma bracteatum
orchid
Osmanthus
Osthole
Premna
polysaccharides
Pulsatilla
Patchouli oil
phlorotannins
Portulaca
Passionfruit
Polygonatum
Pimpinella
Persimmon
paeoniflorin
poppy
Polygonum
Polygala
rue
Rauvolfia
Rubiaceae
rose
Rooibos
Speedwell
Scoparia dulcis
Sumbul
Self-Heal
Sweet Annie
Spikenard
Salvia
Sensitive Plant
Southernwood
Sarivan
Shankhpushpi
Sweet Woodruff
Schisandrins
Sandalwood
Semecarpus anacardium
Stachytarpheta cayennensis
Sumac
Sweet Bay
Sword Bean
Safranal
Sedanenolide
Sweet Orange alcohol
Terminalia
Tagara
Tetrahydropalmatine
Vetiver
Valerenic acid
Vervain
Verbena
Withanolides
Wax Gourd
Walnut
Winter Begonia
Winter Savory
Yuzu
Yellow-Fruit Nightshade
Ylang ylang

Products containing saffron