A big thank you to food scientist Massimo Marcone. He exhaustively reviewed more than 200 studies of “aphrodisiacs,” and found many dangerous, and nearly all useless. One rare exception? Saffron—a real aphrodisiac.

Saffron, the delicate, minute stigma of the spring-heralding crocus flower, has been used for centuries, and to this day, in spice, tea, bath additive, or paste form:

• As an anti-depressant
• To slow the spread of some cancers
• As a sleep aid
• To reduce blood pressure and arterial pressure
• To increase antioxidant levels
• To slow development of Alzheimer’s disease
• To relieve an uneasy digestive system
• To help prevent age-related macular degeneration
• To relieve menstrual cramps and PMS
• To reverse memory loss and neurological disorders

Wow. Could saffron get any cooler?

Well…

Is anyone interested in more and better sex?  Show of hands?

Good…I see many hands are up. That’s a very healthy sign—because sex is a very healthy activity.

It’s an essential component in an intimate relationship, and a glorious way to keep your entire body healthy.

The good news?  Contrary to popular belief, sexual activity and satisfaction do not automatically decline as we age. You can keep your desire and ability intact—with a little help from saffron.

It’s all about the chemistry

It’s no exaggeration to say that a regular sex life is one of the best possible things you can do for good health overall. Cuddle up with these benefits of sexual activity:

• Boosts your immune system
• Builds your libido
• Lowers blood pressure
• Lowers men’s prostate risks
• Relieves pain
• Decreases risks to heart health
• Improves sleep
• Reduces stress

All hail, saffron—for all of those reasons and more.

Ladies, release your inner Cleopatra

Until recently, the never-ending search for a true aphrodisiac seemed like mostly a guy thing.  I attribute this in part to women feeling uneasy about acknowledging their own sexuality.

Fortunately, that seems to be passing. And, the good news is that saffron is ready and waiting for women to join in the healthy fun.

You couldn’t have a better role model than Cleopatra. When love was in the air—or likely panting in the lounge next door—she would bathe, it is said, in saffron-infused waters.

What a lovely way to reduce stress and get some inner calm—one of saffron’s many fabled ways to make moments sweet.

Adding saffron to your regimen, by diet or by supplement, could help you enjoy the same results as The Queen of the Nile.  Studies have shown that saffron can stimulate libido and arousal, increase blood flow to the sexual organs, and boost stamina—for women just as well as for men.

In one fascinating study of college-age women, half of the subjects were given a saffron and alcohol solution, so super-diluted there was no recognizable scent.  Others were given a placebo alcohol and water solution.  All were told to inhale their solutions for 20 minutes.

Results?

Saffron group:

• A decrease in cortisol levels, a signal of reduced stress and receptivity to sex
• Increased estrogen serotonin, and feel-good endorphins in the bloodstream
• Lower anxiety levels

Placebo group—just the opposite:

• Increased cortisol, associated with low sex drive and
• Decreased estrogen levels

This is pretty profound.  Remember, the subjects had no idea what they were inhaling. That’s seeing a very little saffron go a very long way.  Imagine bathing in barrels of the stuff ….

Gentlemen, you’re up next

An Iranian study of saffron and male erectile dysfunction (ED) followed depressed men with ED for 10 days as they took 200 mg of saffron each morning.

A simple, spot-on test, involving very little saffron—an important factor, as the spice is one of the most expensive substances on earth.

Results?

The magic words echoed down in erection central:

• Harder!
• More frequent!
• Longer lasting!

A trifecta of sexual revitalization.

Bear in mind that these were depressed men, suffering from ED.  If saffron can serve as a natural remedy for erection problems, it can give healthy, happy men even more of a bang.

Other studies confirm:

• A statistically significant improvement in blood flow and in rigidity of both penile tip and base
• An increased number and duration of erections
• Increased sperm mobility and quality

How saffron works its wonders

Saffron is so effective in protecting against so many health threats, I could fill this newsletter with citations.

To keep it simple, let’s focus on sex.

Saffron:

• Boosts mood and calms anxiety—essential for pleasurable, healthy sex
• Stimulates blood flow to sexual organs—also essential

Now add bonus points. Saffron is also:

• A powerhouse of immune-system boosting antioxidants that protect against everything from infections to cancers
• A proven anti-depressant
• An excellent source of essential minerals copper, potassium, calcium, manganese (nearly 400% of the daily recommended value), iron, selenium, zinc, and magnesium
• A super source of vital vitamins A and C, and of folic acid, riboflavin, and niacin, all essential for optimum health
• Free of the nasty side effects associated with Big Pharma’s ED, PMS, anxiety, and depression “solutions”

Could you ask for more?

How much saffron?

That depends on your current health and drug use.

A dosage of 30 mg daily in 2 divided doses was shown effective in improving symptoms of mild to moderate depression and in relieving symptoms of PMS.

Improved antioxidant activity was shown in coronary artery disease patients who were given saffron 50 mg extract twice daily.

If that’s you, you should convey this information to your doctor.  Along with, of course, any other medical conditions.

If you’re in good health, we recommend 30 mg of saffron extract daily to keep you that way—and to keep those healthy, magic moments rolling and tumbling along.

Take good care.

References

• “Saffron and ginseng ‘shown to boost sexual desire’” Published NA.
• Kaye, Marcia. “The 3 best foods to boost sex drive” Published NA. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• Helf, Johann. “6 Natural Aphrodisiacs For Women” Life Hack. Published NA.  Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• Hausenblas, Heather. “Saffron Improves Sexual Dysfunction” Natural Medicine Journal. Published July, 2013. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• “Sex, libido, erectile dysfunctions and saffron” Noble-House. Published NA. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• Shamsa, A et al. “Evaluation of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) on male erectile dysfunction: a pilot study.” Published August 16, 2009. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• Kotta, Sabna et al. “Exploring scientifically proven herbal aphrodisiacs” Published NA. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• “How Ginseng & Saffron Can Boost Your Sex Drive” Underground Health Rporter. Published NA. Last accessed May 1, 2017.
• Schor, Jacob. “A Whiff of Saffron Changes Hormone Levels in Women” Natural Medicine Journal. Published April, 2012. Last accessed May 1, 2017.

Disclaimer: Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Last Updated: September 22, 2020
Originally Published: June 2, 2017