Spice king saffron & its anti-inflammatory properties

Saffron is the most versatile and expensive spice in the world. But it is not for this reason that it earned the title of “King of spices” but because of its medicinal, nutritional and cosmetic properties.

Kings and queens, rich and famous had their clothes coloured with this purplish exotic herb for the naturally intimate fragrance. These clothes have been preserved for hundreds of years now. Not only this, the clothes coloured by saffron were never struck by insects and pests.

Going by another interesting story, the last pharaoh of Ptolemaic Egypt, Cleopatra used saffron infused water to bathe for a sensuous fragrance while the Greek courtesans used it as an aphrodisiac to lure the royals.

History claims that Henry VII awarded death sentence to adulterers of saffron.

Test genuine saffron

Genuine saffron when soaked in warm water or milk for at least 10 to 15 minutes leaves deep red-gold colour and has a beautiful fragrance. If the colour leaves immediately, then the saffron is fake. The threads should be red with orange tips.

Anti-inflammatory values

Dr Kushal Yadav from People’s Ayurveda Hospital, Bhanpur, Bhopal says, “In acute, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain and hyperalgesia induced by chronic constriction injury of sciatic nerve (CCI) are reversed by ethanolic and aqueous extracts as well as safranal. CCI significantly increases the lumbar spinal cord levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation product, an effect normalised by saffron extracts.”

Saffron is an extremely effective blood purifier with natural anti–inflammatory properties. It controls phlegm, improves respiratory function and works as a lung tonic. Its bronchodilator effects help pulmonary oxygenation especially among those suffering from whooping cough, asthma, cold, cough, throat ailments etc. Also massaging gums with saffron lessens soreness and inflammation in mouth and tongue

Detailed look at saffron’s medicinal properties

Boosts optimum health: The golden spice is rich in calcium, vitamins, proteins etc. It is a powerful liver tonic and carminative that aids digestion and increases appetite. It irons out problems such as vomiting, diarrhea, acidity, spleen ailments and is known to even improve circulation to retina. Saffron is an antioxidant with anti-cancerous and anti- tumor properties. Apart from this, it is cardio protective and its anti-atherosclerotic effects lowers blood cholesterol and triglycerides among heart patients, thus boosting optimum health.

Mental health: Saffron has shown positive results on people suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. It promotes learning, memory retention, and recalling capacity and helps management of age-related mental problems. It is also an effective and safe treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease.

Essential oils: The plant has certain volatile oils such as cineole, pinene, borneol, geraniol etc., which when added to dishes gives flavour and the same benefits as that of saffron. This perennial herb is also laden with carotenoid compounds like zea-xanthin, lycopene, alpha and beta carotene – which are essential and non-volatile oils that prevent free radical reactions.

Blood cell production & repair: Potassium is found in abundance in this herb. Hence, it boosts cell formation and repair. It also helps regulate blood pressure and formation of haemoglobin and red blood cells.

Other Uses

• Ensures sound sleep among insomniacs
• According to ayurveda texts helps cure impotence and enhances vitality among men
• Manages premenstrual syndrome and irregular menstruation
• Facilitate difficult labour
• Can be applied on insect bites and stings and wounds to help healing
• Beneficial in bleeding disorders
• Helps cure urinary infections
• Is very effective in arthritis and age related muscular degeneration. It helps in healing the damaged cells
• Improves body immunity and energy levels

Get beautiful

• Treats acne, dry skin, blemishes, dark circles and spots and similar skin ailments
• Consuming milk-soaked 1-2 stigmas gives fair and glowing complexion to fetus
• Application of saffron and milk on bald patches (alopecia) helps revive hair growth and prevents hair loss.

Few more remedies

Dr Kaushal Yadav doles out a few ayurvedic prescription for aches saying, “When saffron is mixed with sugar and cow ghee and used as nasal drops (2-3) it provides immense relief to those suffering from migraines. Even mishri and saffron paste can be applied as balm on the forehead. Similarly, saffron leaf paste can be applied on the joints for relief.” He further adds, “Saffron with betel leaf is a potent medicine of cold and cough. Hence when it is mixed with warm milk and applied over chest of children it provides instant relief.”

Precaution: Though it balances tridoshas (kapha,vata and pitta) as per ayurveda, it also increases body fire. Expecting mothers must not have saffron as it may lead to abortion.

–windowtonews