Feeling a little low, now that the holidays have passed? For a spicy pick-me-up, add a dash of this seasoning to your favorite dishes: saffron.

Early research shows that saffron may help turn the tables on a mild case of the doldrums. And if it works for you, it’s sure one heck of a tasty way to get happy.

The Zing of Saffron
Saffron is a fairly strong spice, so you don’t have to add much to get great flavor. And you can use it instead of salt to kick up the taste of chicken, pork, and veggies. Try these super saffron-infused recipes: Cuban-Style Pork and Rice and Spicy Yogurt Chicken.

No-Risk Trial
Large-scale trial studies need to be conducted before the mood-boosting benefits of saffron can be completely confirmed. But there’s little harm in giving saffron a try, because researchers say there’s no major difference in the side effects you might experience from eating the herb or taking an antidepressant. (Learn more about depression treatments.)

More Than the Blues?
But the benefits of saffron were only realized in mild to moderate depression, not severe depression. If you’ve been struggling with full-blown depression, get to your doctor -- stat. Use this questionnaire to help determine how serious your blue mood really is.

Check out the RealAge Recipe Box to find more delicious saffron-influenced dishes.

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