This study explored the effects of saffron on rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a systemic autoimmune and inflammatory disease that causes painful swelling in affected parts of the body. 61 women >18 years old were randomized into either an intervention group (100 mg/day of saffron) or placebo. There were no adverse effects reported by the participants. It was found that those in the saffron group had significantly lower tender (p<0.001) and swollen (p<0.001) joints than placebo and baseline levels. Additionally, pain measured via the visual analogue scale (p<0.001), disease activity scores (p<0.001) and Physician Global assessment (p=0.002) were significantly improved in the saffron group compared to placebo. Further, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p=0.023), and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (p-0.004), which are both inflammatory markers, were reduced after saffron supplementation compared to baseline. No significant differences were found in tumour necrosis alpha, interferon gamma, malondialdehyde or total antioxidant capacity. The authors propose that these findings suggest that saffron could positively improve both subjective and objective outcomes in patients with RA.