The days before your period can come with noticeable changes in how you feel — from irritability and mood shifts to lower energy and feeling more emotionally sensitive than usual.
While every cycle is different, growing research has looked at saffron and PMS, particularly its potential role in supporting mood and emotional wellbeing during the premenstrual phase.
What Is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, refers to a combination of physical and emotional changes that occur in the days leading up to menstruation.
Common experiences can include:
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Mood changes
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Irritability
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Feeling more emotionally sensitive
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Changes in energy
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Changes in sleep
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Bloating or physical discomfort
These changes typically improve once menstruation begins.
What Does Research Say About Saffron and PMS?
Saffron (Crocus sativus) has been studied specifically in women experiencing premenstrual symptoms.
In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, women with PMS took saffron daily over two menstrual cycles. Researchers observed greater improvements in overall premenstrual symptom scores in the saffron group compared with placebo.
More recently, a systematic review and meta-analysis combining clinical research on saffron and PMS also found a significant overall improvement in PMS symptom scores among women receiving saffron.
While research continues to develop, these findings have made saffron an increasingly interesting botanical in the area of premenstrual wellbeing.
Why Is Saffron Interesting for Mood?
Saffron contains naturally occurring plant compounds including crocin, crocetin and safranal.
These compounds are part of the reason saffron has become widely researched in relation to mood and emotional wellbeing.
Beyond PMS specifically, saffron has been investigated across a growing body of human research examining mood-related outcomes, making it particularly relevant during times of the month when emotional wellbeing may feel less steady.
Saffron as Part of a Monthly Wellness Routine
One useful detail from the research is that saffron has generally been studied with consistent daily use, rather than only on the days when premenstrual changes appear.
This makes saffron well suited to a daily wellness routine rather than an occasional approach.
Femgenics Saffron Extract provides 88.5 mg of Crocus sativus flower extract per capsule, designed to support mood, emotional wellbeing and a calm response to everyday stress.
Is Saffron Hormonal?
No. Saffron is not a hormone.
It is a botanical derived from the Crocus sativus flower and does not supply reproductive hormones.
This makes it an interesting option for women looking for botanical support for mood and emotional wellbeing as part of their everyday routine.
How Long Does Saffron Take to Work?
Research into saffron and premenstrual wellbeing has generally looked at regular supplementation over several weeks and menstrual cycles.
That means saffron is better viewed as part of a consistent daily routine, rather than something expected to work immediately when PMS begins.
Individual experiences can vary, and different saffron preparations and doses have been used across clinical studies.
The Bottom Line
Research into saffron and PMS is growing, with clinical studies suggesting a promising role for saffron in supporting premenstrual wellbeing, particularly around mood-related changes.
Combined with the broader research into saffron and emotional wellbeing, it has become an increasingly interesting botanical for women looking for gentle, plant-based support throughout the month.
References
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Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A, et al. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008;115(4):515–519.
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Mohammadi MM, Karimi Z. Effect of saffron on premenstrual syndrome and dysmenorrhea: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Korean Journal of Family Medicine.
