It exists in history of Ayurveda from hundreds of years. Life becomes so easy when we lead our way of living in a very simple manner. Simplicity is the best funda for living. Accept graciously what nature gives us and try to extract out the best from every material. Nature has been always kind enough with us but human being find some kind of solace in disturbing the nature. Already they give us so much but we really don’t care for it.
Just one more nature’s gift is Saffron. Saffron can be considered as one of the priciest spice in the world. When used in cooking it adds to an exotic aroma and flavor to food, saffron turns any dish in a rich and luxurious delicacy.
Termed as golden spice it is derived from flower of saffron crocus which belong to the family of Iridaceae. Zaffran, an Arabic name for saffron are dried stigmas of this flowers which acts as a rich spice to food. They are also well known as ‘saffron threads’.
The chemical constituents that are found in saffron are carotenoids such as crocines, crocetins, picrocrocin, and dimethyl-crocetin. When this is Hydrolysis, it results in the production of safranal and glucose.
Whereas according to Ayurveda, Keahar Kul has property of Snigdh- slimy, taste of Katu and tickta i.e pungent and bitter and potency of Ushan- hot. Ayurveda have described its many benefits.
Saffron is habitat of European and Asian countries. They are mainly found in countries Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Iran, China and India. Even in India there are particular region where it is found is Kashmir and which is famous as kashimir saffron.
There are amazing health effects of saffron. These have been discovered long back but people tend to forget nature. What you need to do is to utilize all the good properties and make the best of it. Saffron is specially considered to the best herb for skin ailments, but there are many other benefits also ;
- Saffron is considered as the best for the improvement of digestion and appetite.
Powdered saffron is also beneficial in curing cough and cold as according to Ayurveda it has potency of hotness.- When consumed for gas and acidity linked troubles saffron is proved as the best herb.
- A pinch of saffron taken with warm milk in night before going to bed helps in sweeping off insomnia. Its helps you in getting sound sleep.
- It is very beneficial is curing the bleeding.
- There will be no longer dry skin and itchy skin. Saffron acts as a very effective agent in skin toning and enhancing the texture of skin. Saffron is generally mixed with other herbs and applied to skin ailments and gives amazing results.
- As saffron helps in blood circulation it is widely used in curing kidney, bladder and liver disorders. And since it improves the blood circulation in all organs it also helps in digestive system.
- It is considered as pain reliever during the menstrual pain. Plus it also deals with other ailments like asthma, atherosclerosis, and also depression.
- Saffron is recommended to purify the blood stream and also acts as anti-inflammatory.
- The inflammations of arthritis are eradicated with help of saffron which also grant relief from the joint ache.
- Many times our mouth and tongue suffer from soreness and inflammation which is highly reduced by massaging gums with saffron.
- During menstruation cycle the lower back suffers from maximum pain but if saffron is consumed with any other herb it gives lot of relaxation.
- According to the recent researches saffron consists of antioxidant and has anti-cancerous properties.
- Saffron also possesses anti-tumor properties.
- Being a blood purifier saffron assist in rising the oxygen content of the blood thereby aiding in the overall health and well being of a person.
This are the overall benefits that we get from saffron but like it is said that anything is exceeded in its limits, they turn with adverse effects. It is similar with saffron, even they are consumed in excess it will show adverse effects on body.
- Too much of saffron when consumed during menstrual cycle increases the level of anxiety.
- They also result is elated mood and lot of mood swings which disrupts your concentration level.
- It is unbelievable but it is true that intake of too much of saffron leads to rapid speaking problems.
- And men be cautious of how much your wife consumes saffron, as it also makes one spend money at drop of hat.
- It also leads to hyper sexuality.
- Excess of saffron also change the skin texture to yellowish like it happens in jaundice.
- When taken in wrong time or with any wrong combination of food it leads to severe vomiting.
- It also results in diarrhea as it has potency of hotness which leads to dehydration in body. at the same time it secretes blood from urine.
- As it used in depression but too much of use leads to dizziness, confusion and unclearness.
- It is considered to be the best on skin ailments but people who are allergic to saffron, it may worsen their skin. Even when consumed in nimiety it causes skin rashes and itching.
To avoid its side effect it is always better to have precautions:
- Pregnant women should avoid use of saffron as it increases the risk of spontaneous abortion. Avoid using this compound in breast-teeding patients; effects are unknown.
- The people suffering from saffron allergic should avoid consumption of saffron.
- The heat in saffron produces heat in body hence refrain from it in summer.
Saffron is widely used in Moorish, Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. It is commonly used to color rice yellow which is considered as a lavish delicacy in Indian festive. Even they are used in numerous Indian desserts. In Milanese cuisine, it is used very delicately to flavor Italian rice dishes. In England, saffron is almost certainly best recognized for its use in Cornish saffron buns where it is paired with dried fruit in a yeast cake.
Besides being used for flavoring food saffron is also used as a dye for cloth mostly in underdeveloped countries and among back-to-basics craftsman. And traditionally in places saffron is used as a tranquilizer, expectorator, aphrodisiac and sudorific.
And in many of Asian countries it is mixed with sandalwood and milk to form a paste for dry skin.
This most expensive spice keeps you on your toes. If saffron is used in proper proportion it is one of the greatest and most beneficial herbs.
