Sleep quality is defined as an individual’s subjective experience of sleep. It encompasses four main characteristics: sleep efficiency, sleep latency, sleep duration, and wakefulness after sleep onset (2). Insomnia is a common sleep disorder, and herbal medicines are often used as alternative treatments. However, the efficacy and safety of most herbal remedies for sleep problems remain unclear (1).
Saffron, derived from the flower of Crocus Sativus, is a commonly used spice and has been the subject of several studies investigating its effects on sleep quality and safety (1). One systematic review showed that saffron has a significant positive effect on improving both the duration and quality of sleep (3). Cronin and Safranal can induce hypnotic effects by increasing non-REM sleep duration and reducing sleep latency. The exact mechanism by which saffron improves sleep quality is not yet fully understood. However, some studies suggest that saffron may exert analgesic effects on sleep quality due to its potential impact on pain-related factors. It should be noted that saffron should not be used as a standalone intervention for sleep disorders but rather as an adjunct treatment beside other therapeutic approaches (4).
Further research is needed to better understand the mechanisms behind its effects and to establish optimal dosages and treatment regimens.
References:
1-Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J., Metse, A.P. and Drummond, P.D., 2020. 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, 16(6), pp.937-947.
2-Nelson, K.L., Davis, J.E. and Corbett, C.F., 2022, January. Sleep quality: An evolutionary concept analysis. In Nursing forum (Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 144-151).
3-Pachikian, B.D., Copine, S., Suchareau, M. and Deldicque, L., 2021. Effects of saffron extract on sleep quality: A randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial. Nutrients, 13(5), p.1473.
4-Sadat Rafiei, S.K., Abolghasemi, S., Frashidi, M., Ebrahimi, S., Gharei, F., Razmkhah, Z., Tavousi, N., Mahmoudvand, B., Faani, M., Karimi, N. and Abdi, A., 2023. Saffron and Sleep Quality: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrition and Metabolic Insights, 16, p.11786388231160317.