---
title: Does saffron help relieve PMS symptoms? | Niyora
description: Yes, saffron at 30 mg daily was effective in reducing PMS symptoms including mood-related symptoms compared to placebo.
url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/crocus-sativus-l-saffron-in-the-treatment-of-premenstrual-syndrome-a-double-2008/
---

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- Does saffron help relieve PMS symptoms?

Randomised trial, 2008

# Does saffron help relieve PMS symptoms?

Yes, saffron at 30 mg daily was effective in reducing PMS symptoms including mood-related symptoms compared to placebo.

 Moderate study design

Women aged 20-45 with regular menstrual cycles and PMS symptoms for at least 6 months

## What they did

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of women aged 20-45 with regular periods and PMS for at least 6 months. Women received either 30 mg daily saffron (15 mg twice daily) or placebo for 2 menstrual cycles. Main symptoms were measured daily and mood was assessed with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale.

## What they found

Saffron was significantly more effective than placebo in improving total premenstrual daily symptoms and depressive symptoms in cycles 3 and 4.

## What it means for you

Saffron may be an option for PMS relief. However, the study abstract does not report the sample size, which limits assessment of how strong the evidence is. More research is needed.

30 mg/day

total daily saffron dose

15 mg

dose per administration

2

menstrual cycles tested

## About the study

Original title Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial Authors Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A et al. Journal BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology Year 2008 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Saffron 30 mg daily (15 mg twice daily) Read the paper [doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x](https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01652.x)

## Topics

[Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Low mood and depression](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-depression-mood/)[Saffron](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-saffron/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)

Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits.

Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor.

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