17 Healing Wonders Of the Herbal Remedy Saffron

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus, a genus in the family Iridaceae. Mystery shrouds the origin of the English word, “saffron” but ancient texts suggest to be derived from 12th-century Old French term safran, which comes from the Latin word Safran um.

The Super Expensive Spice:

It is dried yellow stigma, with just three stigmas in each flower. These need to be carefully hand-picked and then dried. Since almost 225,000 stigmas are needed to make just 1 pound of saffron, the intensive labor and care needed to make it the most expensive spice in the world. Saffron has a haunting hay-like smell with an earthy yet aristocratic and subtle flavor. It just takes a few strands of saffron to melt into and magically alter everything from risottos and milk puddings to rich curries and fish stews.

Saffron dates back to Ancient Egypt and was highly treasured during the Classic Greece era for its coloring and aromatic properties. Studies show that it was the Arabs who introduced the cultivation of saffron in Spain somewhere in the 10th century. During the Renaissance, Venice was considered the most important commercial center for saffron trade. High prices meant adulterated saffron soon entered the trade and it is said that Henry VIII, who cherished the aroma of saffron, even condemned to death adulterers of saffron. Saffron is native to the Mediterranean, and most imported saffron comes from Spain.

Top 17 Healing Wonders:

Disease Prevention

Saffron contains the compounds crocin and crocetin that promote learning, memory retention, recall capacity, and are beneficial against fever, flu and cold. It protects the central nervous system from oxidative stress keeping Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s at bay. It also helps in protecting against kidney, liver, and urinary bladder related diseases.

Anti-Depressant

Saffron contains 5-hydroxytryptophan, which boosts blood flow to the brain, and produces serotonin, which helps in elevating the mood, reducing depression and anxiety.

Digestive properties

Saffron improves blood circulation in the digestive system, coats the membranes of stomach and colon, soothing gastrointestinal colic and acidity. Saffron is considered as a blood purifier and anticonvulsant.

Maintains Heart Health

Potassium helps maintain blood pressure and keeps heart diseases at bay. Antioxidants in saffron help in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride. Crocetin helps reduce lipoproteins in the blood stream, aids in oxygen distribution and blood circulation, and removes plaque from the arteries preventing atherosclerosis.

Fights Anemia

Abundant iron in saffron is critical for hemoglobin formation and it is a co-factor in the red blood cell production.

Treats Acne and Blemishes

The antifungal and anti-bacterial content of saffron makes it effective for the treatment of acne, blemishes, and blackheads, and freshens up dull skin, erases dark circles under the eyes, exfoliates your skin, stimulate blood circulation and prevents wrinkles.

Combats Hair Loss

Mixed with licorice and milk, and applied to bald spots combats combat hair loss (alopecia) and promotes hair growth.

Aphrodisiac

It benefits men’s vitality by healing impotency, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, assisting in maintaining a healthy sexual life.

Respiratory Soother

Saffron is used to treating asthma, cough, whooping cough (pertussis), and to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant). Saffron helps in clearing the narrow airways and reduces lung inflammation, preventing and reducing the severity of an asthmatic attack.

Soothes Menstrual Cramps and PMS

It reduces pain severity and duration during the menstrual cycle, lowers the level of cortisol and stress, and increases estrogen level, in women suffering from pre menstrual syndrome (PMS).

During Pregnancy

It enhances pelvic blood flow, suppresses cramps, gas and bloating, and controls mood swings, anxiety, and depression through the release of serotonin hormone, during various stages of pregnancy. Saffron tea suppresses nausea and morning sickness.

Fights Arthritis

It has anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief from joint pains, eases fatigue and muscle inflammation, and reduces bone erosion by helping the tissues to get rid of lactic acid which gets built up after strenuous exercise.

For Insomnia

It is a mild sedative used to treat insomnia and depression.

Improves Vision

It contains carotenoids that protect against aging diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts, shields against harmful sun radiations, and regulates the fatty acid of the cell membrane in the eyes.

For Strong Gums

Massaging the gums with saffron helps strengthen the gums, reduces soreness and inflammation and swelling of the mouth and the tongue.

Anti-Cancer

Crocin and safranal in saffron inhibit the growth of tumor in the body through their anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties. The carotenoids in saffron possess chemo preventive properties against colon, liver and ovarian cancer.

Saffron Tea Benefits

American saffron tea acts as a natural cleanser of toxins. It treats stomach ulcers and lacerations, psoriasis, intestinal disorders, negates gas accumulation in the stomach and intestines, thus preventing gastritis.

Side Effects and Precautions:

Allergic reactions

Though uncommon some people might experience reactions like dry mouth, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, change in appetite, and headache.

Poisoning

In huge doses is UNSAFE and can cause poisoning, yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; vomiting; dizziness; bloody diarrhea; bleeding from the nose, lips, and eyelids; numbness; and other serious side effects. Doses of 12–20 grams can cause death.

Pregnancy

Avoid doses greater than what normally is found in food. Larger amounts of saffron can make the uterus contract and might cause a miscarriage. Ideally avoid it completely.

Bipolar disorder

It might trigger mood swings like excitability and impulsive behavior (mania) in people with bipolar disorder. Strictly prohibited for patients suffering from this condition.

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AUTHOR

Dr. Janardhana Hebbar Senior Ayurvedic Consultant of CureJoy has authored 4 books on Ayurveda. Special interest Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine) and Shalya chikitsa (Surgery).