Medicinal Uses of Saffron

Saffron originates from the Crocus Sativus plants which grow selectively only in extensive climatic and geographical conditions. Most saffron is grown in Kashmir and Iran. It nearly takes 75,000 flower blossoms to produce a single £ of saffron spice.

Saffron is used as a medicine, an edible for food coloring, and a perfume. Saffron is also rightfully known as the ‘King of Spices’. We know that consuming Saffron daily has authentic medicinal value. Saffron acts as an ayurvedic preventive and curative medicine for many diseases. Saffron has a wide assortment of plant compounds that function as cell antioxidants. Saffron antioxidants include crocin, crocetin, safranal, and kemperanol.

The Science Behind The Medicinal Value of Saffron:

Saffron has a distinct earthy odor and flavor as well as excellent shading when used as a coloring agent. Ayurveda praises saffron as a characteristic narcotic due to its rich source of cancer prevention agents with various curative medical benefits.

In addition, saffron assumes a major role in asthmatic treatment. It is an emmenagogue and apoptogenic specialist. Henceforth, including regular natural boosters, like saffron, in your day-by-day diet might help. Each strand of saffron is a storage facility of carminative, diaphoretic, and aphrodisiac properties. Saffron contains crocin (C44H64O24), crocetin (C20H24O4), picrocrocin (C16H26O7), and safranal (C10H14O) constituting a unique blend of elements that cure multiple diseases while also preventing many other co- morbidieties.

Crocin is a water-soluble carotenoid, which is the reason for the deep red color of saffron strands. Crocetin is the dicarboxylic carotenoid, and when it gets glycosylated, it is converted into crocin. Saffron tastes bitter because of picrocrocin, which is a monoterpene glycoside precursor of safranal. Safranal is an aromatic aldehyde that is the main component of the plants volatile oil.

Saffron medicinal uses extend to:

•  Saffron reduces toxicity, acts as an antioxidant, antitumor, anticancer, anti-inflammation, hepatoprotective, antigenotoxic, and chemopreventive.
• Saffron has the potential to reprieve the heart, strengthen the stomach, and relieve spleen and kidney pains. Saffron also relieves backache caused by cold weather, provides brighter eyesight, and opens the urinary tract.
• Saffron, with anti-depressive properties, was also added to the pharmaceutical preparations for the treatment of melancholic patients in hospitals.
• Saffron gives body vitality and refreshment, stimulates the nervous system that regulates sleep, resolves heart palpitations, and cheers up the person.
• Saffron also helps regulate digestion, cures asthma and cough, and remedies earaches. When chewed, it is useful for gums and also eyes.
• Saffron is also an appetite suppressant.
• Saffron tea is prepared and used for its stimulant effect and healing cough, bronchitis, and asthma.
• Saffron is used for the treatment of disorders like coronary artery disease, hypertension, stomach disorder, dysmenorrhea, and impairment.
• Saffron is used to treat urogenital disorders. Saffron usage has dose-dependent effects on premenstrual syndromes, dysmenorrhea, and irregular menstruation.
• Saffron is an anti- depressant.
• Saffron is widely used to treat ophthalmic disorders such as cataracts and conjunctivitis and improve vision.
• Saffron treats tumors and cancer because of the presence of crocin, crocetin, dimethylcrocetin, and diglucosylcrocetin.
• Saffron protects neural cells from degeneration.
• Crocus sativus cures Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, anxiety, epilepsy, Encephalomyelitis, Schizophrenia, ischemia, brain injury and spinal injury.
• Saffron is also used for seizures, vascular dementia, opioid withdrawal and insomnia.
• Kesar increases immunity, builds a stronger immune system, circulatory system, respiratory system, muscular and digestive system.
• Saffron milk is beneficial during motherhood, you should consume it in prescribed and recommended quantities to avoid health issues.
• Saffron is a storage facility of antioxidants that flush out toxins and prevents free radicals from harming the system. When soaked with water overnight and consumed in the morning, this drink might assist with hydrating our skin and feeding it from the inside, keeping acne, pimples and other skin issues at bay.
• Saffron increases the brain’s serotonin levels, hence promoting happiness.
• Saffron oil, when used with a carrier oil on the skin can help to reduce acne, eliminate scars, and moisturize.
• Inhaling small amounts of this aroma can help to clear up inflammation in the respiratory tracts and loosen mucus and phlegm.

Clinical Evidence Supporting the Information

Saffron has exhibited its potential as a cancer prevention agent, impacting human platelets by means of hindrance of lipid peroxidation. Improved antioxidant status was shown in earlier investigations of patients with coronary artery disease regulated by saffron extract ( 50 mg two times daily).  In patients with metabolic disturbances, regular consumption of supplemental saffron (100 mg everyday) improved related risk factors for cardiovascular disease (ie, heart shock due to lack of proteins).

In a study among volunteers for alternative medicine, a small dosage of saffron (400 mg every day for 7 days) brought about decreases in standing systolic; however not diastolic, pulse and in the mean blood vessel pressure.

Conclusion

Saffron’s medicinal uses led to the development of many new naturopathic cures for  various health issues. Though saffron is used for medicinal purposes, excessive intake of saffron has a toxic effect. The use of 10e20 g can lead to death in adults. The daily dose should not exceed 1.5 g.

Also, careless consumption of saffron by pregnant women can lead to a miscarriage. Hence, it is advisable to seek guidance from a medical practitioner or an Ayurveda expert.

Do you have a requirement for Saffron?  

Puri Brothers Global ensures provision of A-grade Saffron in the purest form to our customers only after it is certified by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories ) under the ISO 3632 protocol.

For more information, reach out to us at +91 8146967058 or wecare@puribrosglobal.com.

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