Chamomile and Saffron Tea Shown to Improve Depression Symptoms

Written by Jessica Patella, ND. The study concluded that saffron and chamomile tea as an adjuvant therapy to traditional medical treatment showed significant improvements in PHQ-9 depression scale scores, along with improvements in brain-derived neurotropic factors and inflammatory markers.

An estimated 21 million U.S. adults and 5 million adolescences experienced a depressive episode in the past year (2021)1. Major depressive disorder is listed as the third largest cause of disease burden and is estimated to be ranked first by 2030.2,3  Herbal alternatives have gained attention for effectiveness against depression. Recent research found consuming a tea of chamomile and saffron with routine medicines improved depression symptoms and decreased inflammatory markers in the body.2

The primary pathogenesis of depression is attributed to serotonin deficiency. The primary form of medical treatment includes selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which are pharmaceutical drugs that increase the amount of serotonin in the synapse of neurons in the brain.  Additional research is indicating tryptophan (TRP) depletion may also increase depressive symptoms, since it is a rate-limiting enzyme in the serotonin pathway.2,4  The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis also tends to be dysregulated in major depressive patients.2,5  All these pathways and chemicals are areas that can be studied in the improvement of depression.

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-depression properties. Previous research indicates saffron may modulate the HPA axis in the improvement of depression symptoms.2,6  Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla L) is currently being studied for depression, but previous research indicates it may have an anti-depressant effect through controlling serotonin and modulating the HPA axis.2,7,8

The recent research included 120 participants with mild to moderate depression that were randomized into either the tea group (n=60) or control group (n=60). The participants all continued with their pharmaceutical drugs for depression but those in the tea group consumed chamomile and saffron tea twice a day, after meals, for 1-month (each tea bag: 20 mg chamomile, 1 mg saffron). Participants completed a health questionnaire (PHQ-9) to obtain depression scores, and blood was drawn at baseline and after 1-month of intervention. The results were as follows:

  • The tea group saw a significant improvement in the PHQ-9 depression scale compared to before treatment and compared to the control group (both p<0.05)
  • The tea group showed improvement in brain-derived neurotropic factors (BDNF) compared to the pre-treatment and the control group (both p<0.05)
  • The tea group had a decrease in inflammatory markers (CRP) and TRP compared to before treatment and to the control group (both p<0.05). Reduced CRP levels indicate less inflammation. Reduced TRP levels suggesting improved TRP absorption into brain which is linked to a reduction in depression.2,4

In conclusion, saffron and chamomile tea as an adjuvant therapy to traditional medical treatment showed significant improvements in PHQ-9 depression scale scores, along with improvements in brain-derived neurotropic factors and inflammatory markers. Future research should consider a larger sample size and a placebo tea on comparison.2

Source: Ahmad, Saara, Arfa Azhar, Prashant Tikmani, Hamna Rafique, Asra Khan, Hanif Mesiya, and Humera Saeed. “A randomized clinical trial to test efficacy of chamomile and saffron for neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in depressive patients.” Heliyon 8, no. 10 (2022).

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted June 17, 2026.

Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health.  She earned her ND from Sonoran University (formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ).  Dr. Patella has been involved in research since high school, when she presented her research at University of Florida on Group B Strep in pregnant women. While earning a bachelors in exercise physiology at Florida State University, her honors research was examining lifestyle effects on glucose levels in women. Dr. Patella was also a research assistant while in naturopathic medical school and has been writing for the Natural Health Research Institute since she graduated from Sonoran University in 2009. Dr. Patella currently teaches a variety of classes all related to human health.

References:

  1. NIH. Major Depression. Accessed 6/16/26, 2026. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression
  2. Ahmad S, Azhar A, Tikmani P, et al. A randomized clinical trial to test efficacy of chamomile and saffron for neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory responses in depressive patients. Heliyon. Oct 2022;8(10):e10774. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10774
  3. Zhu S, Zhao L, Fan Y, et al. Interaction between TNF-α and oxidative stress status in first-episode drug-naïve schizophrenia. Psychoneuroendocrinology. Apr 2020;114:104595. doi:10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104595
  4. Zhang L, Guadarrama L, Corona-Morales AA, Vega-Gonzalez A, Rocha L, Escobar A. Rats subjected to extended L-tryptophan restriction during early postnatal stage exhibit anxious-depressive features and structural changes. Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology. Jun 2006;65(6):562–70. doi:10.1097/00005072-200606000-00004
  5. Mikulska J, Juszczyk G, Gawrońska-Grzywacz M, Herbet M. HPA Axis in the Pathomechanism of Depression and Schizophrenia: New Therapeutic Strategies Based on Its Participation. Brain sciences. Sep 30 2021;11(10)doi:10.3390/brainsci11101298
  6. Ghadrdoost B, Vafaei AA, Rashidy-Pour A, et al. Protective effects of saffron extract and its active constituent crocin against oxidative stress and spatial learning and memory deficits induced by chronic stress in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. Sep 30 2011;667(1-3):222–9. doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.05.012
  7. Yi LT, Li JM, Li YC, Pan Y, Xu Q, Kong LD. Antidepressant-like behavioral and neurochemical effects of the citrus-associated chemical apigenin. Life Sci. Mar 26 2008;82(13-14):741–51. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2008.01.007
  8. Reis LSLdS, Pardo PE, Oba E, Kronka SdN, Frazatti-Gallina NM. Matricaria chamomilla CH12 decreases handling stress in Nelore calves. Journal of veterinary science. 2006;7(2):189–192.

 

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