Saffron used to treat mild depression

The color of Buddhist monks’ robes and the artist Christo’s “The Gates,” saffron is also the name for the spice derived from the dried stigmas of the crocus flower (Crocus sativus). Native to India and the near and Middle East, pure saffron is highly precious: A thousand flowers yield just a few grams. The higher the altitude in which it is grown, the more precious the carotenoid-rich spice is considered. For millenniums, the spice has been used to color and flavor foods and treat a variety of ailments.

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Uses: Homeopaths sometimes prescribe saffron to stop bleeding. In other medical traditions -- such as Chinese and ayurvedic -- it’s used to soothe the joints, aid digestion, increase appetite, treat depression, improve reproductive health in women and detoxify the blood.

Dose: Usually, up to a few dozen milligrams a day. Saffron is sold as a spice, as a supplement in capsule form and as an ingredient in herbal formulas for digestion and detoxification.

Precautions: Large doses could increase the risk of miscarriage. Overdoses can cause jaundice, dizziness, vomiting, cramps, bleeding and even death.

Research: In test tube and animal studies, saffron has demonstrated cancer-preventing properties; in animal studies, the spice has shown the ability to improve learning and memory. In a recent preliminary clinical trial, a small daily dose of saffron (30 milligrams) showed promise in treating depression that is not severe. Few large-scale human studies have examined saffron’s effectiveness in treating other conditions.

Dietary supplement makers are not required by the U.S. government to demonstrate that their products are safe or effective. Ask your healthcare provider for advice on selecting a brand.

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-- Elena Conis