Saffron Easing PMS Symptoms

Saffron Easing PMS Symptoms
Date: 4/26/2008

TUMSPR News: In a research paper published by the British Journal of Gynecology (BJOG, 2008) Iranian researchers, including TUMS researchers, find the easing effects of Saffron on premenstrual syndrome symptoms.

In a research paper published by the British Journal of Gynecology (BJOG, 2008) Iranian researchers find the easing effects of Saffron on premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Departments of Gyn. & Obs. and Psychiatry in Tehran and Zanjan University of Medical Sciences studied a population of 50 women, aged 20–45 years, with regular menstrual cycles and experience of PMS symptoms for at least 6 months. Women were randomly assigned to receive saffron capsules 30 mg/day in two divided or placebo capsules instead for two menstrual cycles. In this double-blind and placebo-controlled trial, saffron (Crocus sativus L.) relieved symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

Symptoms were measured daily and secondary outcome was measured by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. The primary outcome measure was the Daily Symptom Report, a checklist of 17 premenstrual symptoms rated from 0 to 4 according to their severity throughout the menstrual cycle and consists four subscale including mood (anxiety, irritability, depression, nervous tension, mood swings and out of control), behavior (poor coordination, insomnia, confusion, headache, crying and fatigue), pain (aches, cramps and tender breasts) and physical (food craving and swelling) subscale.18 Secondary outcome measure was Hamilton

Depression Rating Scale (17-item).

The findings supported the idea that saffron may affect serotonin activity and help alleviate not only depression symptoms, but also PMS as well. In this trial, saffron was found to be effective in relieving symptoms of PMS but the researchers concluded that larger, longer-term studies were needed to confirm the findings.

In women of reproductive age, Premenstrual syndrome1 (PMS) is a constellation of emotional, behavioral, and physical symptoms that occur in the luteal (premenstrual) phase of the menstrual cycle and subside with the onset of menstruation; characterized by swelling and weight gain due to fluid retention, breast tenderness, irritability, mood swings, anxiety, depression, drowsiness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in appetite and libido.

Saffron is a spice2 derived from the flower of the saffron crocus (Crocus sativus). Saffron is characterized by a bitter taste and an iodoform- or hay-like fragrance; these are caused by the chemicals picrocrocin and safranal. It also contains a carotenoid dye, crocin, that gives food a rich golden-yellow hue. These traits make saffron a much-sought ingredient in many foods worldwide. Saffron also has medicinal applications.

Iran ranks first2 in the world production of saffron, with more than 81 percent of the world yield. Iran's annual saffron production is expected to hit 300 tons by the end of the nation's Fourth Five-Year Socioeconomic Development Plan in 2009.

Reuters reported the news on April 18, 2008.

References:

1. http://www.stedmans.com/section.cfm/45
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saffron

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