Benefits And Uses Of Saffron
Saffron is a spice produced from the stamens of the saffron plant, a perennial plant that usually blooms in the fall. Saffron has many uses for human health. However, to promote its full use, you must know how to properly mix saffron and use it according to the time frame, it will have different uses. Sounds interesting about this type of pistil, right? To understand more about the use and how to mix this saffron pistil, let's find out in the article below!
Saffron is harvested by hand picking and drying. Each lily has three stigmas, so it takes 160 flowers to make one gram of saffron. It's no wonder it's been nicknamed "red gold" and considered one of the most luxurious spices in the world.
Saffron is known to have been used in traditional healing for centuries as a digestive aid, healthy tissue support, and toxin removal. Ayurvedic healers consider saffron to be one of their most precious medicinal herbs as they consider saffron to have the ability to balance all the energies of the human body system.
What is Saffron?
Saffron (scientific name is Crocus sativus), is a perennial plant grown mostly in Iran and some other countries such as Spain, India, and Greece. Saffron flowers are pale purple, but the red stigma is thread-like.
Dried saffron is widely used as a spice to flavor and color foods.
The majority of saffron is grown and harvested by hand. It takes about 36,000 saffron flowers to get 500g of the pistil. More than 200,000 dried pistils (from 70,000 flowers) produce 500g of the pure pistil. Due to the labor-intensive harvesting, saffron is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world. Besides, saffron is also used as a medicine.
Nutritional composition of saffron
The main bioactive substances in saffron include crocetin, micro C, crocin, and safranal. The pistil also includes several micro-substances including vitamins B2, B1, A, etc. Some minerals, including Mn, Fe, K, and Mg, have a saffron-like flavor.
With more than 150 volatile aromatics, saffron essential oil. whereby the three primary components are crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal (fragrance) (color). Antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant effects may be found in other carotenoids and terpenes.
Health Benefits of Saffron
Provides antioxidants
Saffron is rich in antioxidants, especially crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal. In addition, other substances that are also high in saffron include kaempferol and crocetin. These antioxidants help fight oxidative stress and do-it-yourself stuff in the body. Since oxidative stress and free radicals play a role in the work and development of many health problems including cancer and heart disease, the antioxidants present in pistil are art. Multiple functions in the protection power of the user.
Fades bruises on the skin
Crocin contained in saffron and essential vitamins has a rich antioxidant capacity, slows down aging, and enhances skin elasticity and softness. In addition, increased skin pigmentation causes parts of the skin to become darker, causing dark spots. And a 2013 study found that the active ingredients of saffron can block the activity of the enzyme tyrosinase, reduce the production of melanin pigment, and fade dark spots.
Help sleep well
The best-known use of this herb is to help with sleep, and aid in improving sleep and insomnia. Unlike sleeping pills or sedatives, they help fall asleep easily and quickly without causing harmful side effects to the body.
Uses of saffron for the brain
A systematic review concluded that saffron supplementation helps in the treatment of depressive symptoms. Compounds such as tannins, alkaloids, and flavonoids contained in the pistil help balance the transmitters in the brain. This benefit is mainly due to the reduction in serotonin levels. The two active ingredients crocin and crocetin in saffron can improve diseases related to brain function such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, etc. According to a report published in Phytotherapy research, these two compounds help us to improve our health. memory and improve the quality of learning - working.
Helps soothe premenstrual symptoms
According to Medical News Today, saffron may also help relieve some premenstrual symptoms as well as menstrual pain. In a study from Mashhad University of Health Services (USA), women who took 30 mg of saffron daily experienced reduced irritability, headaches, appetite, and pain. Research also shows that women who only smell saffron for 20 minutes have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which may also contribute to a reduction in premenstrual syndrome.
Digestive system support
The use of saffron every day will reduce the acidity and gas in the stomach, helping you get rid of bloating and abdominal pain effectively. Saffron effectively relieves gas and problems associated with acidity. What's more, it has the carminative properties of saffron which helps to reduce flatulence and prevent colic. Every morning you can have a little saffron tea with honey, to help the digestive system stay healthy.
Supports wound healing
According to Healthline, this helpful spice also aids in wound healing and reduces the risk of infection and scarring. One study evaluated the effectiveness of saffron extract in wound healing and found that the spice increased the growth of skin cells needed for wound healing. This is due to the powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties found in saffron.
Antidepressants
Experts have proven that saffron's red (sometimes yellowish) color represents active ingredients that improve mood. One study found that the effects of this herb could be comparable to that of low-dose prescription antidepressants such as fluoxetine or imipramine. On the other hand, a review in the Journal of Integrative Medicine examined studies involving the use of saffron in the treatment of depression in patients over the age of 18. Research results indicate that saffron has improved symptoms for people with depressive disorders.
Helps improve eyesight
For vision, saffron directly affects the gene that regulates the activity of visual cells, and at the same time slows and reverses the progression of vision-related diseases such as macular degeneration, retinitis, etc. …This was confirmed in 2009 in a study, conducted at the University of Sydney (Australia) by academics from the L'Aquila school in Italy.
Promote weight loss
Some recent evidence also suggests that saffron may promote weight loss and appetite control. Studies have also shown that saffron helps people with coronary artery disease reduce their body mass index (BMI), total fat mass, and waist circumference.
Notes when using Saffron
Saffron is considered relatively safe and has no side effects. If used normally in cooking, saffron does not cause any negative side effects in humans. As a functional food, up to 1.5g of saffron can be used per day. However, taking 30mg/day is sufficient for health benefits. On the contrary, use in high doses (more than 5g) can be toxic. Pregnant women should avoid high doses of saffron because it can cause miscarriage. In addition, you should also consult with your doctor before using saffron as a dietary supplement.
