Saffron in perimenopause and after: the 12-week trials

Two trials looked at a standardised saffron extract in women at and after the menopause transition. Both ran for 12 weeks and both were placebo-controlled.

86 women in perimenopause

Women in perimenopause took 14 mg of affron twice a day or placebo for 12 weeks. The psychological score of the Greene Climacteric Scale improved against placebo (p = 0.032), with a 33% reduction in anxiety and a 32% reduction in depression scores from baseline, and negative affect on the PANAS improved (p = 0.043). Hot flushes and other physical symptoms are not the story here; mood is. (Lopresti and Smith, Journal of Menopausal Medicine, 2021, PMID 34463070.)

86 women aged 50 to 70

In a second trial, women aged 50 to 70 took 28 mg a day or placebo for 12 weeks. Depression scores on the DASS-21 improved against placebo (adjusted difference 2.37, d = 0.48, p = 0.030); 48.8% reached a meaningful reduction against 25.6% on placebo (p = 0.026). Self-esteem (d = 0.51) and sleep-related impairment (d = 0.45) also improved; sleep disturbance did not. (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2026, PMID 42389708.)

Reading the numbers

Effect sizes around 0.4 to 0.5 are small to moderate. They sit alongside the largest adult trial, where 72.3% of 202 adults on 28 mg a day reached a meaningful mood improvement against 54.3% on placebo (Journal of Nutrition, 2025, PMID 40414301). The placebo groups improve too, which is exactly why the comparison matters.

This article reports published research for parents and adults who want to read it for themselves. It is not medical advice, it does not describe or recommend any product, and it never replaces a conversation with your GP or your child's clinicians.