17 Healing Wonders Of Saffron- The Spice Of Kings

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 it to be derived from 12th-century Old French term safran, which comes from the Latin word safranum.

The Super Expensive Spice:

Saffron is the dried yellow stigmas, 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 make saffron the most expensive spice in the world.

Saffron has a haunting hay-like smell with an earthy yet aristocratic and subtle flovour. 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 10^th 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 of SAFFRON:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 anti convulsant.
4. 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.
5. Fights Anemia: Abundant iron in saffron is critical for haemoglobin formation and it is a co-factor in the red blood cell production.
6. 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.
7. Combats Hair Loss: Saffron, mixed with licorice and milk, and applied to bald spots combats combat hair loss (alopecia) and promotes hair growth.
8. Aphrodisiac: Saffron benefits men’s vitality by healing impotency, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, assisting in maintaining a healthy sexual life.
9. Respiratory Soother: Saffron is used to treat 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.
10. Soothes Menstrual Cramps and PMS: Saffron 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).
11. During Pregnancy: Saffron 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.
12. Fights Athritis: Saffron 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.
13. For Insomnia: Saffron is a mild sedative used to treat insomnia and depression.
14. Improves Vision: Saffron 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.
15. For Strong Gums: Massaging the gums with saffron helps strengthen the gums, reduces soreness and inflammation and swelling in the mouth and the tongue.
16. Anti Cancer: Crocin and safranal in saffron inhibits the growth of tumour 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.
17. Saffron Tea Benefits: American saffron tea acts as a natural cleanser of toxins, 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:  Saffron 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: Saffron 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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