The study below indicates that cortisol is lowered, estradiol is increased and women feel better when exposed to the scent of saffron.

I know this an N=1 study, but a friend of mine whom I gifted with a tincture confirms this works when she is PMSing.

I've been looking for an alternative to Androstadienone for a while and feel saffron would be a good alternative. It does not have a negative impact on me (except when I managed to stain a nice shirt). This is the tincture I recommend: https://hermitageoils.com/product/saffron-tincture-1/

A

Phytomedicine. 2011 Jun 15;18(8-9):726-30. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2010.11.013. Epub 2011 Jan 15.
Psychological and neuroendocrinological effects of odor of saffron (Crocus sativus).
Fukui H1, Toyoshima K, Komaki R.
Author information
Abstract
AIM:

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of saffron odor on symptoms unique to women, such as premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) and irregular menstruation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Thirty-five women with a normal sense of smell were exposed to saffron odor for 20 min. Saliva samples were then collected to measure levels of cortisol ©, testosterone (T) and 17-β estradiol (E) by enzyme immunoassay, and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was administered as a psychological test.
RESULTS:

Saffron odor significantly decreased C levels after short-term stimulation (20 min) in both follicular and luteal phases. E level after exposure to saffron odor was increased in both the follicular- and luteal-phase groups. STAI score decreased in the follicular and luteal phases in the saffron group.
CONCLUSIONS:

The present findings support the existence of physiological and psychological effects of saffron odor in women. Our results indicate that saffron odor exert some effects in the treatment of PMS, dysmenorrhea and irregular menstruation. This is the first report to suggest that saffron odor may be effective in treating menstrual distress.

Likely one or more of these compounds are responsible:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19595355

And numerous other phyto-substances that are similar in structure or characteristics. It's a great, interesting field.

Alphonse and George, One of the key ingredients in safron is Safranal. Safranal has a mol weight of approximately 150 g/mol, which is about 100 g/mol lighter than adrostenone (250 g/mol). It is a pretty light molecule so it should fly. Perhaps it has phenomonal properties? Safron has long been touted as an aphrodisiac. I might have to give it a whirl. I have some good saffron in my cupboard..

(08-11-2016 1:55 PM)VishRemma Wrote:  Alphonse and George, One of the key ingredients in safron is Safranal. Safranal has a mol weight of approximately 150 g/mol, which is about 100 g/mol lighter than adrostenone (250 g/mol). It is a pretty light molecule so it should fly. Perhaps it has phenomonal properties? Safron has long been touted as an aphrodisiac. I might have to give it a whirl. I have some good saffron in my cupboard..

For the sake of science, I would no longer toute those substances a "pheromone" but an active semiochemical, which safranal, like many terpenes, probably is.

What's the plan VishRemma, faciliate an alocholic extract of your saffron?

The Wiki-entry already states some properties of safranal already, among them GABAa-Receptor activity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safranal

(08-12-2016 2:33 AM)GoergeFocky Wrote:  For the sake of science, I would no longer toute those substances a "pheromone" but an active semiochemical, which safranal, like many terpenes, probably is.

What's the plan VishRemma, faciliate an alocholic extract of your saffron?

The Wiki-entry already states some properties of safranal already, among them GABAa-Receptor activity:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safranal

Hi GeorgeFocky, That is what I usually use when I am testing new chemicals. I have access to super high grade saffron so that is not the problem. I use it mostly for cooking right now. I think the main issue is going to be staining. When I use it for cooking, I heat up some olive oil or butter in the microwave, then crumble a few strands in the hot mixture and stir with a wire whip. You get a rich yellow liquid. I got some on my hands and it stained my skin for a day or two. So I'm not sure how I would go about dissolving the saffron and dealing with the color issue. Maybe I could try filtering it numerous times. Any ideas?