Saffron Supplementation Safety Considerations
Critical Safety Considerations
- The World Health Organization warns that a large number of patients experienced adverse hematological reactions during treatment with Crocus sativus (saffron) in a study, representing a serious safety concern that must be disclosed to patients considering saffron supplementation 1, 2
- Patients with a history of hematological disorders should be cautious when considering saffron supplementation due to the risk of adverse hematological reactions 1, 2
- The Society for Perioperative Assessment and Quality Improvement recommends holding herbal supplements with similar properties to saffron 2 weeks before surgery, which may be applicable to saffron supplementation 3, 4, 5, 6
- Concurrent use of multiple serotonergic agents with saffron may pose a theoretical risk of serotonin syndrome, although this has not been documented with saffron specifically 5, 6