Medicinal Use of Saffron

Posted by: admin | on May 9, 2013

Medicinal uses of saffron

Nutrition Informationper 100 gr All Red Saffron
ENERGY	310 kcal
CARBOHYDRATES	65.37 g
– DIETARY FIBRE	3.9 g
FAT	5.85 g
– SATURATED	1.586 g
– MONOUNSATURATED	0.429 g
– POLYUNSATURATED	2.067 g
PROTEIN	11.43 g
WATER	11.90 g
VITAMIN A	530 IU
THIAMINE (VIT. B1)	0.115 mg (10%)
RIBOFLAVIN (VIT. B2)	0.267 mg (22%)
NIACIN (VIT. B3)	1.460 mg (10%)
VITAMIN C	80.8 mg (97%)
CALCIUM	111 mg (11%)
IRON	11.10 mg (85%)
MAGNESIUM	264 mg (74%)
PHOSPHORUS	252 mg (36%)
POTASSIUM	1724 mg (37%)
SODIUM	148 mg (10%)
ZINC	1.09 mg (11%)
SELENIUM	5.6 μg
FOLATE[N 1]	93 μg
VITAMIN B6	1.010 mg
ASH	5.45 g

Saffron has long been used for medicinal purposes. As with a lot of other herbs, saffron is also useful in the treatment of stomach and gastrointestinal disorders amongst other ailments. Below is a list of the therapeutic properties of saffron and some of the disorders that saffron has been known to treat.

– Saffron stimulates digestion and soothes the stomach.
– Saffron promotes menstruation and helps relieve menstrual aches.

– Research shows that several components of saffron may boost the memory and improve learning skills.
– Saffron is an important antioxidant and helps to protect the body’s cells against damage from free radicals.
– Studies have shown that saffron may be taken in order to combat cancer and slow down tumor growth.
– It has been used as an antidepressant and a general tonic.
– Saffron is a mild sedative.

– Saffron is known to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
– It has been used to relieve muscle cramps and spasms.
– Saffron promotes sweating and perspiration, which is helpful in relieving fevers and high temperatures.
– Saffron is effective in relieving stomach pains.
– Saffron is used in kidney ailments and can also help to reduce the size of an enlarged liver.
– Saffron can relive colic in children.
– Chinese herbal medicine used saffron to treat chest infections and disorders.
– Can be used to reduce headaches.
– Saffron is said to be an aphrodisiac and was used by Cleopatra before lovemaking.

Useful links to current research performed concerning saffron medicinal properties:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23280545

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19101900

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24299602

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15582266

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20831681

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18271889

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19110531

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22552758

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23734088

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24269582

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22934747