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Does saffron work for adhd in kids?

A couple of small clinical trials suggest saffron may work about as well as methylphenidate (a standard ADHD medication) for reducing symptoms, especially hyperactivity, but the evidence is too limited to recommend it as a proven treatment yet.

No major pediatric or psychiatric guideline currently endorses saffron as a standard or alternative ADHD treatment for children.

Strength of evidence

Limited

Findings come from one small randomized double-blind pilot trial (54 children) and one small non-randomized comparison trial (63 children), not large-scale randomized trials or systematic reviews, and no clinical guideline currently recommends saffron for ADHD.

What the evidence says

Two small studies from research teams in Iran and Spain have compared saffron extract to methylphenidate (a common ADHD medicine) in children and teens. In a randomized double-blind pilot trial, saffron capsules produced similar improvements in ADHD symptoms as methylphenidate over 6 weeks, with similar rates of side effects. A separate non-randomized study also found saffron's overall effectiveness was comparable to methylphenidate, and it seemed to help hyperactivity symptoms more, while methylphenidate did better for inattention.

A broader review of diet and supplement approaches to ADHD also mentioned saffron (sometimes combined with methylphenidate) as showing potential, but this was part of a wider list of interventions with mixed evidence overall, not a strong endorsement. The catch: both saffron studies were small, short-term, and one wasn't even randomized, which makes it hard to rule out bias or placebo effects. Neither the CPS, AAP, nor other major pediatric bodies currently list saffron as a recommended ADHD treatment.

If you're considering it, it's worth discussing with your child's doctor first, since herbal supplements can interact with other medications and aren't regulated the same way as prescription drugs.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked August 1, 2026

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