The effect of Crocus sativus L. (saffron) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that menopause can be associated with a variety of negative psychological changes such as depression and anxiety, and improving the mental health status of women during menopause is one of the important priorities and challenges of the health system. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L., Iridaceae) herbal tea on happiness in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial which was conducted in 2021, 72 postmenopausal women were enrolled and divided into intervention and control groups. The randomization blocks method was used for random allocation, and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the scores. The intervention included the use of 30 mg of dried stigmas of the saffron plant, which was boiled once (in the morning, in 300 ml of boiling water for 10-15 min) and consumed with white rock candy as one cup of saffron tea daily. To compare the trend of changes and after removing the effect of other variables, generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups in any of the quantitative and qualitative characteristics (p > 0.05). The results of paired samples t-test showed that the happiness mean score in the intervention group increased significantly (p < 0.001) from 42.93 ± 8.54 to 61.58 ± 8.24, while in the control group, there was no significant difference between the happiness mean score at the beginning and end of the study (p = 0.861). Also, after applying the treatment program in the intervention group, there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the happiness mean scores (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Saffron herbal tea had a positive effect on reducing depression and increasing the happiness score; thus, it is recommended that it should be used as a complementary treatment in consultation with the treating physician. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The present study was registered with the code of IRCT20210403050818N1 (Registration date: 09/04/2021) in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials. It was also approved by the Ethics Committee of Larestan University of Medical Sciences (Approval ID: IR.LARUMS.REC.1399.017).

The effect of lavender herbal tea on the anxiety and depression of the elderly: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of depression and anxiety is increasing among the elderly around the world. It is believed that lavender can stabilize the people's mood, so this study was designed to evaluate the effect of lavender on anxiety and depression of the elderly. METHODS: This study was a single blind clinical trial with a control group. The participants in the study consisted of 60 elderly subjects (30 in each group) who referred to the Health Center of Larestan city in the south of Iran in 2019. The intervention consisted of using 2 g of lavender teabag, which was prescribed to be used 2 times as decoction in the morning and night. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups using balanced block randomization with a block size of ten. The control group did not receive any placebo. Data collection tools in this study included demographic information questionnaire, Beck Depression and Spiel Berger Anxiety Inventory. Chi-square test and independent t-test were used to analyze the data. The significance level was considered 5 %. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in terms of age, gender, educational level and marital status and there was no significant difference. The mean score of depression in the intervention group before and after drinking lavender herbal tea was 17.80 ±â€¯1.49 and 16.33 ±â€¯1.49, respectively. The mean score of depression between intervention and control groups after drinking herbal tea were 16.33 ±â€¯1.49 and 18.33 ±â€¯1.84, respectively. This indicated the effect of herbal tea on reducing depression (P < 0.001). Also, mean difference of intervention and control groups after drinking herbal tea in terms of depression and anxiety (state and trait) were (-2.00, 95 % CI (-2.86, -1.13)), (-6.40, 95 % CI (-9.43, -3.36)) and (-4.13, 95 % CI (-7.66, -0.60)), respectively. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study showed that consumption of lavender herbal tea can reduce depression and anxiety scores and since it is inexpensive and accessible, it is suggested to be used as a complementary treatment in reducing anxiety and depression.

The Effectiveness of Group Spiritual Intervention on Self-esteem and Happiness Among Men Undergoing Methadone Maintenance Treatment.

BACKGROUND: Drug dependence or substance use disorder not only affects a person's life but also brings a lot of challenges for families and communities and imposes heavy burdens on them. There are various therapies in the domain of addiction whose main purposes are to reduce or to cut down substance abuse. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group spiritual intervention on selfesteem and happiness among male clients undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. METHODS: This study was an intervention study in which 60 clients affected with substance abuse and undergoing methadone maintenance treatment were recruited. The study samples were selected through convenience sampling method and then divided randomly into two groups of 30 individuals: intervention and control. The intervention group attended group spiritual interventions for 10 sessions. Self-esteem and happiness among the study participants were also measured through Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory and Oxford Happiness Questionnaire before and after the intervention. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference between both intervention and control groups in terms of self-esteem and happiness (P < 0.05); so that the participants in the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in their self-esteem and happiness. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that group spiritual intervention as a useful method could be effective in enhancing self-esteem and happiness among addicted individuals undergoing methadone maintenance treatment. The given treatment could be also used as a complementary therapy beside methadone maintenance treatment to reduce the likelihood of people returning to substance abuse.