Affron® has rapidly become a highly recognisable saffron extract in the wellbeing world. It appears in a growing number of herbal remedies and supplements, and many people are curious about why this specific herbal ingredient is gaining so much attention.
What Is Affron®?
Affron® is a patented and clinically proven saffron extract of Crocus sativus, which is the same flower that produces traditional saffron threads[1]. Unlike traditional saffron, which can be bought as threads or powder, Affron® is specifically developed for consistency and purity.
What Makes Affron® Different from Regular Saffron?
Each batch contains a carefully controlled level of the naturally occurring compounds found in saffron, removing much of the variation that can occur with raw herbal ingredients. This consistency makes Affron® particularly suitable for supplements that support emotional wellbeing, especially during moments of anxiety, stress or low energy.
Standardisation is key: it ensures that every dose delivers the same reliable strength and quality, something that traditional saffron cannot always offer. This level of precision, from cultivation to extraction, reflects the craftsmanship and traceability that Affron® is known for.
While traditional saffron is prized for its flavour, colour and aroma, Affron® is designed with wellbeing routines in mind. Here’s how it differs:
- Consistency: Each dose is controlled and predictable.
- Reliable strength: Standardisation ensures steady potency.
- Clinically proven: Increasingly included in studies exploring sleep, emotional balance, menopausal symptoms, and overall wellbeing.
- Convenient dosing: No need to steep threads or measure powder.
In short, Affron® offers the heritage of saffron with the modern reliability needed in today’s wellbeing products.
What Are the Benefits of Taking Affron®?
- Helps to support and maintain a positive mood.
- Promotes relaxation and helps improve how you feel during periods of occasional stress and tension.
- Improve sleep quality and reduce awakenings after falling asleep.
- Support for menopausal women.
What Does the Research Say?
Improvement in Menopausal Symptoms
A study found that women experiencing perimenopause who took 28 mg of Affron® daily for 12 weeks reported notable improvements in psychological symptoms[2]. The research also observed improvements in overall mood-related measures, with indications that symptoms such as hot flushes and night sweating may also trend towards improvement.
Improvements in Sleep Quality
A study involving 63 healthy adults aged 18-70 found that taking Affron® at a dose of 14 mg twice daily for 28 days was associated with meaningful improvements in sleep quality[3]. Compared with the placebo group, those taking Affron® experienced a greater reduction in insomnia severity and non-restorative sleep.
Sleep diary recordings also showed that participants taking Affron® reported significantly higher ratings of overall sleep quality, with strong trends suggesting better alertness upon waking.
A follow-up study supported these existing findings and also observed that taking Affron® around one hour before bedtime was associated with improvements in sleep quality, along with better mood and alertness[4].
Improvements to Mood
Research suggests that Affron® may support emotional wellbeing by helping to ease stress and uplift low mood. Two studies, one involving adults and another involving teenagers aged twelve and sixteen[5,6], reported similar findings. Participants noted that taking Affron® helped them maintain a positive mood and manage occasional feelings of stress, frustration and tension.
How Do People Take Affron®?
Affron® can be used in several forms, depending on preference. Common approaches include:
- Capsules or tablets: the most popular method, offering precise dosing.
- Gummies: an easy, flavour-friendly option.
- Liquid botanicals: often blended with calming herbs.
- Powdered blends: mixed into smoothies or drinks at home as part of a wellbeing ritual.
People often take Affron® either in the morning for a balanced start, or in the evening as part of relaxation routines.
Who Might Be Interested in Affron®?
Affron® may appeal to those exploring natural ways to support:
- Emotional wellbeing during phases of stress or mild mood fluctuations.
- Relaxation routines and mindfulness habits.
- Sleep and nighttime wind-down practices.
- Daily balance, grounding rituals, and sensory nourishment.
- Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms.
- Stress, depression or anxiety.
Affron® brings together the heritage of traditional saffron with modern standardisation, making it a popular choice for wellbeing products aimed at supporting mood, stress balance and daily emotional resilience. Whether used in capsules, gummies or powder blends at home, it offers a convenient way to explore the benefits of this botanical in a contemporary format.
To learn more about traditional saffron, including its origins, uses and typical dosage, you can read our full guide.
To discover more research on saffron, including its potential role in supporting mood, easing stress and helping to manage anxiety, you can read our blog here.
FAQs
Is Affron® the same as saffron?
Affron® is made from saffron, but it’s a standardised extract designed for consistency.
How long does it take to notice the effects?
This varies widely. People often use Affron® consistently for several weeks as part of their routine to support general wellbeing.
Is Affron® worth it over regular saffron?
If you prefer a consistent, easy-to-dose option designed for wellbeing products, many people find Affron® more convenient.
Is saffron a rare herb?
Yes – saffron is considered rare because each flower only blooms for a short period of time and must be hand-harvested, making production limited and labour-intensive.
Why is saffron good for you?
Saffron is valued for its natural compounds and long history of traditional use in supporting mood, relaxation and overall wellbeing.
References
- Pharmactive Biotech Products (n.d.) Affron®. Available at: Affron®.
- Lopresti, A.L. and Smith, S.J. (2021) 'The Effects of a Saffron Extract (affron®) on Menopausal Symptoms in Women during Perimenopause: A Randomised, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study', Journal of Menopausal Medicine, 27(2), pp. 66-78. Available at: JMM.
- Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J., Metse, A.P. and Drummond, P.D. (2020) ‘Effects of saffron on sleep quality in healthy adults with self-reported poor sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial’, Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 16(6), pp. 937–947. Available at: JSCM.
- Lopresti, A.L., Smith, S.J. and Drummond, P.D. (2021) ‘An investigation into an evening intake of a saffron extract (affron®) on sleep quality, cortisol, and melatonin concentrations in adults with poor sleep: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose study’, Sleep Medicine, 86, pp. 7–18. Available at: ScienceDirect.
- Kell, G., Rao, A., Beccaria, G., Clayton, P., Inarejos-García, A.M. and Prodanov, M. (2017) ‘Affron® a novel saffron extract (Crocus sativus L.) improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks in a double-blind, parallel, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial’, Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 33, pp. 58–64. Available at: ScienceDirect.
- Lopresti, A.L., Drummond, P.D., Inarejos-García, A.M. and Prodanov, M. (2018) ‘Affron®, a standardised extract from saffron (Crocus sativus L.) for the treatment of youth anxiety and depressive symptoms: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study’, Journal of Affective Disorders, 232, pp. 349–357. Available: ScienceDirect.
