Saffron

Saffron is a well-known spice that is commonly utilised for its fragrance and richness in colour. It is the dried stigma of the flower that grows from the Crocus sativus plant and has been widely used in traditional medicine for its therapeutic properties and health benefits.

It contains active compounds, such as safranal, which can have sleep-promoting properties. In fact, safranal has been found to reduce levels of cortisol by up to 44%, which can assist in reducing feelings of stress around bedtime. Saffron extract and its active compounds can also modulate the effects of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, glutamate and GABA-A neurotransmitter which can have an impact on mood, stress, calmness and sleeping ability.

This stress-relieving ingredient, therefore, has therapeutic benefits that can help those struggling with sleep. It has shown to be helpful in improving insomnia severity, as well as improving the duration of non-restorative sleep (sleep which is usually characterised as not sufficiently refreshing or restorative). It is also effective in improving the ease of getting to sleep, sleep duration and overall sleep quality.

Saffron also has the ability to improve stress levels, which can otherwise prevent or impact sleep. Studies found that the consumption of saffron reduced undesirable changes in heart rate which are usually caused by stress.

Two Islands Nightcap contains a specific saffron extract, Safr'Inside™️, in a researched dose, which has been shown to cause a 60% decrease in overall stress levels, with effects being noticed in as little as 5 days.