SAFFRON HAS MANY IMPORTANT HEALTH PROMOTING PROPERTIES
Active components within saffron lift the symptoms of depression as effectively as any anti-depressant drugs (such as Prozac) but without the negative side effects associated with these drugs¹.
Saffron is used to promote restful sleep; it has long been used in the Ayurvedic health system. One to two strands soaked in milk or water have shown to enhance sleep quality.
The powerful components of saffron are crocin, crocetin and safranal. Exciting new research in animal models and with cultured human malignant cancer cells have demonstrated anti-tumor and cancer preventive behaviour of these powerful active components.
Saffron contains the compound “crocin”, which scientists believe to be the primary compound responsible for destroying the protein that causes Alzheimer’s disease². Based on early study results, scientists believe that saffron might be useful in the treatment and management of age related mental impairment.
In Morocco, saffron is used as an analgesic to relieve teething pain in babies by massaging gums with a mixture of honey and saffron.
Cancer ~
Crocin and safranal present in saffron has been shown to inhibit the growth of tumors and cancer cells. And the high carotenoid levels in saffron can help prevent several cancers³.
Depression ~
Saffron contains 5-hydroxytryptophan that is important in the production of serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter responsible for maintaining mood balance, low levels of which can lead to depression. Consumption of saffron daily can therefore work as an effective anti-depressant by maintaining optimum levels of serotonin.
Eye Health ~
The high carotenoid levels present in saffron can keep the eyes healthy when consumed regularly. It has been shown to be effective in the treatment and/or prevention of age-related macular degeneration⁴ and cataracts. Saffron has been shown to maintain the fatty acid levels of the cell membranes thus supporting eye health. Saffron can also protect the eyes from the Sun’s harmful radiation.
Arthritis ~
Saffron helps in preventing arthritis. It prevents bone erosion and heals joint pains. The anti-inflammatory properties of saffron can also reduce swelling of joints.⁵
references
1. Shahmansouri N. Farokhnia M. Seyed-Hesammeddin A. Kassaian S. Tafti N. Gougol A. Yekehtaz H. Forghani S. Mahmoodian M. Saroukhani S. Arjmandi-Beglar A. Akhondzadeh S. (2014) A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with fluoxetine for improving mild to moderate depression in post percutaneous coronary intervention patients Journal of Affective Disorders, 2014-02-01, Volume 155, Pages 216-222
2. Farokhnia M, Shafiee Sabet M, Iranpour N, Gougol A, Yekehtaz H, Alimardani R, Farsad F, Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S. (2014) Comparing the efficacy and safety of Crocus sativus L. with memantine in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental Volume: 29 Issue 4: 1099-1077
3. Samarghandian S. Borji A. (2014) Anticarcinogenic effect of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) and its ingredients Pharmacognosy Res. 2014 Apr-Jun; 6(2): 99–107
4. Lashay A, Sadough G, Ashrafi E, Lashay M, Movassat M, Akhondzadeh S. (2016) Short-term Outcomes of Saffron Supplementation in Patients with Age-related Macular Degeneration: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Trial. Medical hypothesis, discovery & innovation ophthalmology journal Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol 5 (1); 32-38
Piccardi M. Marangoni D. Savastano M. Valentini P. Ambrosio L. Capoluongo E. Maccarone R. Bisti S. Falsini B. (2012) A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study of Saffron Supplementation in Early Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Sustained Benefits to Central Retinal Function. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2012
5. Chunhua G. Hua Limei Xue Sujuan Yu Dan. (2017) Crocin Attenuates Joint Pain and Muscle Dysfunction in Osteoarthritis Rat; Inflammation 40.6: 2086-2093.