Saffron is a valuable plant spice derived from the stigma of the saffron flower. Saffron flower is a perennial bulbous plant with the scientific name “Crocus Sativus”. “Crocus” in Greek means thread and string, which refers to the appearance of saffron flower stigmas. The name of saffron comes from the word bile in Arabic meaning yellow. Saffron has many properties for skin, hair, menstruation and body health and is one of the most expensive agricultural products worldwide. This spice has been around for about a thousand years and has attracted many consumers. Saffron is a native plant of the barren lands of Greece and grew in that region before being propagated in Europe, Asia and North America.

Saffron flower is a laborious agricultural product, which is why its price is increased. This plant has a three-pronged stigma in the center that is separated by hand, placed in a sieve and its aroma and taste are enhanced by heat treatment. This plant is resistant to hot weather and currently Iran is the largest producer of saffron in the world. Regardless of the natural and special essential oil of saffron, this plant has many health benefits and this also makes it known as an expensive spice.

Stimulation of mind and brain is one of the health effects of saffron. Various studies have shown that the stigmas of the plant, which is the original saffron, and its petals have similar effects on people’s mood and actually act as antidepressants, so the properties of saffron petals are unique. Safranal and crocin, two compounds found in saffron, like the dopamine, serotonin and neuropinorphin, regulate the neurons and are able to reduce mild to moderate depressive symptoms even without the use of conventional psychiatric medications. A two-month trial was performed on 40 depressed individuals in Iran. Some patients were randomly assigned to take 20 mg of Prozac antidepressant daily and the remaining 20 patients received 15 mg of saffron petals twice daily.

Consumed times. The researchers concluded that saffron has similar effects to antidepressants. This substance affects the endocrine system and helps reduce stress and anxiety. From time immemorial, people have used saffron to calm the mind and improve restful sleep because of its calming properties. Saffron also enhances learning and memory.

Meanwhile, in Japan, saffron is packaged in capsules and is used to treat forgetfulness and Parkinson’s. Crocin prevents mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s that occur with aging.

Macular degeneration, or macular degeneration, is a disease that leads to blindness in old age due to aging and the destruction of cells in a part of the eye called the macula. Crocin and crocheting found in saffron prevent cell damage and delay the destruction of cells in the relevant part of the eye due to aging.

Properties of saffron for the skin

The antioxidants in saffron have anti-aging properties. The properties of saffron for facial skin include softness, flexibility and radiance. Common uses of saffron can whiten the skin, prevent pimples, remove wounds and dark spots on the skin and other skin blemishes. Saffron contains vitamin B12 and also helps treat cracks and dry lips.

Saffron strengthens hair strands from root to tip to prevent hair loss. If you mix saffron with licorice milk, you can use this hair tonic to treat alopecia or baldness and hair loss, as well as stimulate faster hair growth. Saffron improves blood flow to the hair follicles, followed by more blood flow and more oxygen to the hair follicles.

Benefits of saffron for respiratory health

Saffron cures coughs and common colds. It acts as an expectorant or diluent and dilutes sputum in the lungs and throat. Saffron is able to act as an anti-inflammatory and stimulant compound. These benefits of saffron can be beneficial for asthma. Asthma attacks occur when the respiratory tract is narrowed due to inflammation and saffron can prevent this from happening.

Premenstrual syndrome is caused by a variety of hormones that cause destruction at the same time. Saffron can affect the endocrine system to some extent and release some hormones (or neurochemicals) that are helpful in controlling PMS, such as serotonin. Seratonin is the hormone of happiness and helps reduce the severity of mood swings in women. This food is also useful for late puberty in girls.

Saffron is a rich source of potassium, an important element in maintaining heart health. Potassium dilates and enlarges blood vessels and therefore lowers blood pressure. The potassium in saffron also prevents atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. As mentioned, saffron contains a substance called crocin, which can regulate blood cholesterol levels, so this spice is very useful for heart health.