Popular Spice May Beat Depression, Boost Sexual Health

A popular spice is reported to work as a natural antidepressant and boost sexual health.

Dr. Daniel Amen, psychiatrist and founder of Amen Clinics in California, discussed the benefits of saffron, which is commonly found in foods and drinks such as paella and herbal teas, as a way to boost a person's mood during an in-studio interview with FOX News Digital.

“I love saffron so much,” he said. “I’m Lebanese, and Middle Eastern folks cook with a lot of saffron. And there’s actually folklore in Iran: If you’re too happy, you must have had saffron.”

Amen said randomized trials of research had shown consuming about 30 milligrams of saffron was "equally as effective" as taking antidepressants, with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) posing risks for decreased sexual function, while saffron allegedly has the opposite effect.

“As a psychiatrist, I don’t want to ruin my patients’ love lives,” he said. “Saffron increased sexual function [in research].”

Saffron has also been reported to aid with memory and focus, as well as decreased symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, according to various studies. Participants who used saffron from eight to 12 weeks said that it "significantly reduced" the symptoms and severity of PMS, according to a study published in Reviews in Clinical Medicine 2025.

Research published in the Cambridge University Press in May 2025 showed that saffron was identified as the most effective supplement to combat depression among 192 trials involving more than 17,000 patients and 44 different nutraceuticals.

“So, if you’re on an antidepressant and you want it to work even better, think about zinc and curcumins,” Amen said via FOX News Digital. “Saffron, zinc and curcumins is a great combination.”