The scientific name of saffron is Crocus sativus L. and it belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is the dried stigma of flowers. This is also known as red gold or golden spice (1) because of its price. It is very difficult to cultivate and 15,000 – 16000 flowers are needed to get 1 Kg.
Saffron is used for food coloring, flavoring, cosmetics, perfumery, textile dying and traditional herbal medicines (2). Medicinal uses are also found in ancient literature from the 7th century in countries like India, Spain, China.
Main compounds of saffron and their health benefits
1. Crocins
Responsible for the unique color. Crocins health benefits are Lowers cholesterol, and blood pressure, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and strengthens the immune system.
2. Picrocrocins
This compound is mainly responsible for the bitter taste.
3. Safranal
It is the volatile oil responsible for the typical aroma (3). Treats respiratory-related disorders and boosts immunity against asthma.
Saffron uses due to its health benefits
1. Aphrodisiac
It improves sexual behaviors thus cure impotence. Saffron tablet (200 mg) for ten days shows a beneficial effect on sexual function with increased number and duration of erectile events seen in patients suffering erectile dysfunction (4,5).
2. Treats infertility in men
About 50 mg saffron in milk for 3 months and 3 times a week show a positive effect on sperm morphology and motility in infertile men (6).
3. Treat premenstrual syndrome and irregular menstruation
Premenstrual syndromes (PMSs) are common health problems in 20–40 % of women of reproductive age. Intake of the saffron capsule (30 mg/day or 15 mg twice a day) relieving symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (7).
4. Antidepressant
Depression is nowadays a major problem. Although there are certain drugs which helps in combating the depression saffron is one of the easiest and safest way to get rid of depression.
Saffron capsule 30 mg/day for 6 weeks is beneficial for the treatment of mild-to-moderate depression due to its serotonergic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuro-endocrine and neuroprotective effects (8, 4).
5. Keep liver healthy
Bioactive compounds in it prevent lipid peroxidation and increase liver enzymes. Therefore, prevents liver and spleen enlargement, reduces oxidative stress (9).
6. Anti-obesity properties
Saffron decrease calorie intake by blocking dietary fat digestion. It increases satiety, or the feeling of fullness and enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism (10).
7. Treats respiratory problems
Saffron (100 mg daily) may use as a lung tonic which has a preventive effect on lung inflammation in asthma (11).
8. Treats neurodegenerative disease
The high antioxidant property of saffron has sedative and neuroprotective actions. Thus treat neurodegenerative disease-associated memory impairment (12, 13).
Saffron capsule (30 mg/day) for 22-week improves cognitive function with Alzheimer’s disease (14). Whereas 15 mg is safely tolerable in patients with schizophrenia (15).
9. Boost Immunity
It improves immunity by controlling most inflammatory processes in the immune system. Thus, it may be useful for the treatment of immune disorders (16).
How much saffron should we take?
Daily intake of saffron up to 1.5 grams/day recommended without any adverse effect. However, doses higher than 5 grams is toxic, and at 20 grams it’s lethal. A high dosage above 10 grams may cause abortion, therefore, higher consumption above recommended daily dosage should be avoided in pregnancy owing to its uterine stimulation activity (17).
Saffron Health benefits in details – Click here
References
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3996758/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3466873/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4665515/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15707766
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24289892/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19101900
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18271889
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK292058/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12820227
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20579522
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075723/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10815004/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8205119/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5187538/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26468460/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6535192/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2293474
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