Saffron, or Crocus sativus, is a small perennial plant native to Turkey and southern Europe. Apart from adding color and flavor to foods, saffron also possesses immense medicinal value and has been used to treat a variety of ailments since ancient Roman and Egyptian civilizations. However, many benefits of saffron have not been proven clinically and thus, it should be used only under the supervision of your physician.
Botany
The branched, red styles and orange stigmas attached to them are collected from blue-violet Crocus sativus flowers to produce the saffron spice. However, saffron plants are difficult to grow and the yield is very low. This makes saffron one of the most expensive spices in the world.
Composition
According to an article published in the March 2010 edition of the "Journal of Medicinal Plants Research," an organic pigment known as crocin is the main active ingredient of saffron, along with a complex essential oil called safranal, B vitamins and iron. In fact, saffron is one of the richest sources of vitamin B-2, also called riboflavin.
Uses
Saffron has been used traditionally to treat a variety of ailments including stomach aches, kidney stones, arthritis, menstrual discomfort and depression. The results of a study published in the February 2005 edition of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" reveal that 30 mg of saffron per day is as effective as the antidepressant drug fluoxetine, also sold as Prozac, in treating mild to moderate depression. The antioxidant components of saffron may prevent free radical damage of sperm cells and improve sperm motility and morphology in infertile men. The antioxidants also protect other body cells and tissues from free radical damage, and thereby may prevent certain cancers and chronic disorders such as memory loss. Also, saffron can increase the blood supply to the retina and help prevent retinal damage.
Dosage
Drugs.com states that 1.5 g of dried strands per day of saffron are safe. Consuming more than 5 g of saffron in a day, however, can lead to toxic reactions. Saffron supplements are also available in capsule and tablet forms, but there are no clinical trials to determine the proper dosage for different ailments. Talk to your doctor to determine how much saffron is safe for you.
Adverse Reactions
Saffron is generally safe to use. Nausea, vomiting and headache are the most common side effects. The drug interactions of saffron have not been well studied. However, they may enhance the activity of drugs that prevent platelet aggregation and plaque formation in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Saffron may also cause abortion, so should not be used if you are pregnant or wanting to get pregnant.
Precautions
It is important to talk to a doctor before using saffron for medicinal purposes, to avoid possible drug interactions and adverse reactions. It is also important to make sure that saffron is pure and of high quality as contamination of this highly priced spice is common.
References
- "Journal of Medicinal Plants Research"; Saffron Chemicals and Medicine Usage; Mohammad Sharrif Moghaddasi; March 2010
- Drugs.com: Saffron
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Hydro-alcoholic Extract of Crocus sativus L. versus Fluoxetine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Depression: A Double-Blind, Randomized Pilot Trial; A.A. Noorbala, et al.; February 2005
- "Urology Journal"; Effect of Saffron on Semen Parameters of Infertile Men; Mohammad Heidary, et al.; Autumn 2008
- "Behavioral Brain Research"; Memory Enhancing Effects of Saffron in Aged Mice are Correlated With Antioxidant Protection; Magdalini A. Papandreou, et al.; January 2011
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