The Benefits Of Drinking Saffron Tea
Saffron tea is a warm infusion made by steeping the dried, thread-like stigmas of the saffron crocus in hot water. People have long enjoyed it as an aromatic drink, and both traditional practice and early research connect the benefits of saffron tea to mood, menstrual comfort, digestion, and the plant’s natural antioxidants. It is worth being clear up front: this evidence is still limited, and saffron tea is a beverage rather than a medicine. It is not a treatment or cure for any disease.
Saffron itself is a flowering plant native to Europe and parts of Asia, and its dried stigmas are used as both a spice and a tea. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world, largely because each crocus flower yields only three tiny stigmas — it takes roughly 150,000 flowers, all picked by hand, to produce just one kilogram of saffron.
In recent years saffron’s popularity has dipped a little, partly because of its high price and partly because cheaper herbs have become better known. Even so, saffron tea has a long history of traditional use — you can even brew it with other warming spices, as in this saffron and ginger tea recipe — and below are some of the reasons people continue to reach for it.
Menstrual comfort
Saffron has a long tradition of use for menstrual complaints, and some people drink saffron tea in the hope of easing cramps and discomfort during their period. This use is largely traditional, and the clinical evidence behind it is preliminary rather than conclusive. You can read more in our overview of saffron’s benefits for women.
Pregnant and breastfeeding individuals should be cautious. Larger, medicinal amounts of saffron have traditionally been discouraged during pregnancy, so it is best to avoid concentrated saffron tea and to consult your doctor before drinking it regularly.
Mood support
Saffron is one of the more widely studied herbs when it comes to mood. Some clinical studies suggest that saffron may be associated with improvements in mild-to-moderate low mood, though this research is still preliminary and saffron tea is not a substitute for professional care. If you are dealing with depression, please speak with a qualified healthcare provider.
Antioxidant compounds
Saffron contains plant pigments called carotenoids — including crocin and crocetin — that act as antioxidants. These compounds are an active area of laboratory research, but the studies so far are early-stage. They do not show that saffron tea prevents or treats cancer or any other disease.
Heart health and cholesterol
Saffron’s antioxidant compounds have also been studied for their possible effects on cholesterol and cardiovascular health. Some early research points to a modest effect, but saffron tea should not be relied on to prevent heart disease, and it is not a replacement for medical care.
Blood pressure
Some clinical research suggests that saffron may have a modest effect on blood pressure in adults. Even so, it is not a treatment or preventive therapy for high blood pressure (hypertension). If you are managing your blood pressure, follow the plan recommended by your doctor.
Digestive comfort
In traditional practice, a cup of warm saffron tea is sometimes taken to soothe mild stomach discomfort and settle the digestion. As with the other uses above, the support here is largely traditional.
Other traditional uses
Saffron appears in traditional remedies for a range of everyday complaints, from soothing coughs to easing occasional sleeplessness. These uses are not confirmed by strong clinical evidence, and saffron tea should not be used to treat any medical condition.
A note on safety
Saffron tea is best enjoyed in the small, culinary amounts you would use when cooking with pure saffron threads. Very large quantities of saffron can be harmful, so there is nothing to gain from overdoing it. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a health condition, talk to your doctor before drinking saffron tea regularly. For more on sensible ways to use it, see our guide on how to take saffron orally.
