Saffron is one of the most expensive and popular spices. It is produced from saffron crocus flowers (Crocus sativus). It is native to the Southeast Asia regions and some regions of Europe. Though it is often used as a spice in cooking, it is also known as an herb with many health and beauty benefits. Now, we will present you the best knowledge about saffron benefits.
Health Benefits Of Saffron
Saffron has significant chemical compounds and nutrients that are beneficial in providing health benefits. These are great and wonderful benefits of saffron for health which you are looking.
Disease Prevention
Many plant-derived chemical components in saffron help to prevent diseases. It also has the health-promoting properties of this amazing herb. Regular use of this spice enables your body to create resistance against many common diseases as common colds, Asthma, etc. Compounds in saffron also help increase antiviral and antibacterial activities in your body.
Active Components
Besides the volatile oils, saffron also has non-volatile active components – antioxidants that are beneficial for the body. It helps to prevent free radical reactions that cause diseases and harmful by-compounds. Moreover, some of the carotenoids such as lycopene, zeaxanthin, and alpha & beta-carotene are also appreciated. This is one of the main values of saffron.
Volatile Oils
The plant part obtained from saffron contains essential but volatile oils. When adding this part to food, it imparts the benefits and its unique flavor as a spice. Many studies have proved that safranal, a volatile oil contained in saffron, has a cytotoxic effect on cancer cells, antioxidant, antidepressant and anticonvulsant properties.
Anti-depressant
Recent studies have shown antidepressant properties of saffron. These properties of saffron are related to the serotonin metabolism. Effects of saffron like elevating mood and reducing snacking, it may be the result of serotonin action in the body. Active components in saffron also help your body reduce depressing symptoms. Therefore, use of saffron daily can help to maintain the serotonin levels and serve as an amazing anti-depressant.
Promote Eye Health
The high carotenoid levels in saffron help to keep the eyes healthy. It is believed that saffron can help to fight age-related cataract and muscular degeneration. The fatty acid levels in the cell membranes can be maintained, and the eyes are strong thanks to the consumption of saffron. It can protect your eyes even under harmful radiation from the sun’s rays.
Therapeutic Applications
Saffron is used not only as a condiment but also in many types of therapies such as detoxification, body healing, and in the spas. Moreover, the active components in saffron have many effective therapeutic applications in traditional medicines as carminative, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, etc.
Cell Repair And Formation
This plant contains potassium- one of the essential electrolytes for the smooth running of the human body. Potassium is very necessary for cell respiration; its deficiency can cause a decrease in oxygen levels, and lead to the reduced efficiency of cell function. Therefore, it is a necessary element that favors cell repair and formation.
Stomach Pain Treatment
Saffron is considered as a therapeutic plant for Stomach pain, and it also acts as an antispasmodic. It helps to digest well and increases appetite. It also reduces stomachache and relieves tension and renal colic.
Heart Diseases And Blood Pressure
The presence of crocetin in Saffron helps reduce the cholesterol levels in the blood. It has been demonstrated that crocetin is effective in maintaining cardiovascular health and increase oxygen levels in the body. Therefore, it helps to prevent heart diseases and keep blood pressure in control. It also prevents accumulation in arteries and reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, thus reducing the risk of heart attack and promoting the smooth flow of blood.
Cancer Treatment
Many recent studies have proved that saffron has a clinical application in the treatment of cancer. Saffron includes crocin and safranal, all of which can prevent the growth of cancer cells & the creation of tumors in the body. High levels of the carotenoid present in saffron help to inhibit several cancers such as liver, colon, ovaries, or blood cancer.
Optimum Health Maintenance
Saffron contains the overall mineral content which includes vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, proteins, riboflavin, folic acid, niacin, etc. This mineral content helps to maintain the optimum health.
Blood Cell Production
Iron is one of the most important nutrients in saffron. This is an essential element in blood production process. About 70 percent of the body’s iron is included in the red blood cells called hemoglobin. Therefore, iron in this plant is a useful component to form hemoglobin and also is a co-factor in the production of the red blood cells.
Arthritis Treatment
Saffron is said to be effective in curing joint pains and arthritis because of anti-inflammatory properties. It is useful for sportsman because it eases fatigue and muscle inflammation rapidly by aiding the tissues to remove lactic acid which gets buildup after tiring workout.
Memory Retention Promotion
Saffron contains the compound called “crocin” that helps promote learning, recall capacity, and memory retention of people. Based on the study results of scientists, it is believed that saffron can assist in the management and treatment of age-related cerebral and mental impairment.
Parkinson’s And Alzheimer’s Diseases Treatment
The studies of scientist suggest that saffron have efficiency in treating Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. It was compared to donepezil, which is considered a leading drug in treating Alzheimer’s diseases. It can protect the central nervous system and reduce cellular stresses. It also helps to recollect data as well as aids in memory.
Saffron During Pregnancy
During this process, women are advised to drink saffron milk. Compositions of saffron in milk help enhance pelvic blood flow. Besides, it has carminative properties that help to suppress cramps and reduce bloating and gas during pregnancy. Depression, mood swings, and anxiety state in which the women often experience during pregnancy also are improved by saffron as it stimulates the production of serotonin. However, larger doses of saffron will have negative impacts on pregnant women; it is necessary for them to discuss this problem with the doctor.
Beauty Benefits Of Saffron
Apart from the health benefits, saffron also has many beauty benefits. It has been a beauty secret of the gentlewoman for many centuries. It is beneficial for skin in the ways as follow:
Hair Growth Boosting
Saffron oil can treat hair fall and encourage hair growth. It has an antioxidant ability that helps to promote hair growth and replace damaged and dull hair with healthy and lustrous hair.
Natural Remedy For Alopecia
Saffron is one of the best effective treatments for alopecia. Antioxidants in saffron can combat with your alopecia condition. Moreover, it helps to repair hair follicles and promote hair growth.
Skin Tone Improvement
Saffron is one of the great natural toners. It helps eliminate the blackheads and unclog the pores. It also cleans the free radicals and improves the circulation of blood vessels in the face skin, which helps to tone and firm the skin.
Inflammation Treatment
This plant brings the natural treatment for inflammatory skin conditions. Antioxidants in saffron are the innate anti-inflammatory agent. So it is used to treat many skin conditions as acne, pimples, and rosacea.
Skin Complexion Improvement
Saffron is a great skin lightening ingredient used in various cosmetic products. Saffron helps to lighten your skin tone. It improves the skin by removing the impurities and dirt. Using saffron regularly will give you softer and lighter skin.
Acne Treatment
Saffron has anti-oxidant, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties that make it ideal for treating acne. Saffron facial mask not only helps reduce inflammation and clear acne scars but also decreases oil secretion of sebaceous glands. Besides, the antifungal content makes it effective in the treatment of blackheads, blemishes, and acne. With regular application of saffron, the acne in your skin will disappear soon.
Scar Healing
This plant has healing properties which help promote the healing process and remove scars as well. Moreover, it has exfoliating properties, which can remove the scars and spots from old cuts, wounds, or acne eruptions.
Giving Glowing Skin
Saffron has skin lightening properties, which helps to give you a glowing skin. It includes various important vitamins such as A, B & C, which helps your skin look younger and brighter.
Suntan Removing
Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays (UVA & UVB) of the sun will accelerate melanin production of the skin. Therefore, it leads to darkening of the exposed skin. You can remove suntan from your skin with saffron. It also lightens your skin effectively and keeps your skin bright.
Above are 25 benefits of using saffron for beauty and health that you should pay attention to. All contents provided are for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you.
Guest Blogger
This guest post is by Emily Pham, a blogger with many years of experience in searching the best natural home remedies for beauty and health issues. She can be reached at beautytalkmagazines@gmail.com or her website.
