The benefits of saffron range from improving mood to its ability to prevent cancer. Safran, It is the most expensive spice in the world. It is expensive because it is costly to produce and harvested by hand, which requires a lot of effort.
This herb is collected from the flower of Crocus sativus. It originated in Greece, where people have used it to enhance libido, regulate mood, and improve memory.
Benefits of saffron
What is saffron?
Saffron is a spice used in cooking. It consists of reddish-brown threads that give the dishes a golden color and a mild flavor. Saffron originates from Greece. Although it is still cultivated in that region today, it is also grown in Iran, Morocco and India. Iran is the world's largest producer of saffron.
Why is saffron expensive?
Saffron is expensive because production is limited. The crop also has to be harvested by hand. The saffron plant blooms for a week each year. Each flower produces only three saffron threads. The flowers should be collected while they are still closed to protect the fragile threads inside. It is estimated that 1 flowers are required for 150 gram of saffron. When buying spices, make sure that the threads are not yellow, but reddish-orange. Yellow threads are the male part of the flower.
Nutritional value of saffron
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the nutritional value of 0,7 teaspoon of saffron, which equals 1 grams, is as follows:
Vitamin A: 4 international units (IU) (0,08 percent DV)
What are the Benefits of Saffron?
A powerful antioxidant
This spice contains antioxidants, which are molecules that protect cells against free radicals and oxidative stress, and various plant compounds. These antioxidants include crocin, crocetin, safranal, and kaempferol.
Crocin and crocetin are carotenoid pigments. They give the spice its red color. Both compounds have antidepressant properties. By protecting brain cells from damage, it cures inflammation, reduces appetite and promotes weight loss.
Safranal gives this herb its distinctive taste and aroma. Studies show that it helps protect brain cells against oxidative stress, as well as improve mood, memory and learning ability.
Kaempferol is found in the leaves of the saffron flower. This compound provides the benefits of saffron, such as reducing inflammation, anticancer properties, and antidepressant activity.
Reduces depressive symptoms by regulating mood
This spice has been called the "sunshine spice" in some countries. This is due to the fact that it improves mood, not only because of its different color.
Has cancer fighting properties
Saffron is high in antioxidants that help neutralize harmful free radicals. Free radical damage causes chronic diseases such as cancer.
In test-tube studies, it has been determined that the compounds of this plant selectively kill colon cancer cells or suppress their growth, while not harming normal cells.
This effect is also valid for skin, bone marrow, prostate, lung, breast, cervix and many other cancer cells.
Reduces PMS symptoms
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)is the term that describes the physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms that occur before the onset of the menstrual period.
Studies show that saffron benefits include treating PMS symptoms.
Has an aphrodisiac effect
Aphrodisiacs are foods that help boost libido. Studies have shown that saffron has aphrodisiac properties – especially in people taking antidepressants.
Helps to lose weight
The most important of the benefits of saffron is that it reduces the appetite and prevents the desire to eat constantly.
In an eight-week study, women who took the herbal supplement felt significantly more satiety than women in the placebo group, felt less appetite, and lost more weight.
Has a positive effect on arthritis
An Italian study found that crocetin in saffron promotes cerebral oxygenation in rats andarthritis treatmentIt states what a positive effect it has.
It is beneficial for eye health
In rat studies, safranal, a component of saffron, was found to delay retinal degeneration. The compound also reduces rod and cone photoreceptor loss.
These properties make saffron potentially useful in delaying retinal degeneration in retinal pathologies.
relieves insomnia
Crocetin, a carotenoid in bile, can increase total non-REM sleep time by up to 50%.
In other words, people with insomnia can benefit from the benefits of saffron.
It is beneficial for brain health
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of saffron extracts treat various problems of the nervous system.
The spice interacts with the cholinergic and dopaminergic systems, can have beneficial effects in the case of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.
Saffron is effective in treating gastrointestinal ailments and improves digestion.
heals burn wounds
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of saffron contributes to its wound healing properties.
It accelerates the healing of burn wounds.
Strengthens immunity
One of the benefits of saffron is that it is rich in immune-boosting carotenoids.
Improves heart health
Saffron helps to reduce the risk of heart disease by strengthening the circulatory system.
The spice is rich in thiamine and riboflavin. These vitamins support heart health and help prevent various heart problems.
Due to its antioxidant properties, saffron helps protect blood vessels.
The anti-inflammatory properties of the spice benefit the heart. The crocetin in the spice indirectly regulates blood cholesterol levels and reduces the severity of atherosclerosis.
Protects the liver
Some research shows that saffron may be beneficial for patients dealing with liver metastases.
The carotenoids in saffron help inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species.
Safranal in its content protects the liver from environmental toxins.
Benefits of saffron during pregnancy
Saffron is known to have benefits during pregnancy and can be safely consumed. It is stated that mixing with milk is more beneficial for babies in the womb. However, excessive consumption can cause unwanted complications. Therefore, it should not be consumed without consulting a doctor. The benefits of saffron during pregnancy are as follows:
Controls hypertension
High blood pressure is one of the common problems encountered during pregnancy. High blood pressure is harmful to both the mother and the unborn baby.
The potassium and crocetin in saffron help control blood pressure.
Relieves morning sickness
Saffron is effective in relieving morning sickness as it helps relieve dizziness and nausea.
Fights allergy
During pregnancy, the immunity of the expectant mother drops. He may have to struggle with frequent congestion, coughs and colds.
The number of saffron milk Drinking helps alleviate such allergies.
Saffron is a good source of iron that helps increase hemoglobin levels.
Improves digestion
Digestive complaints increase during pregnancy.
The benefits of saffron are effective for digestive problems such as bloating, heartburn, constipation.
increases appetite
Nutrition is essential during pregnancy.
Saffron increases appetite as it improves digestive functions. Thus, malnutrition is prevented.
Reduces pregnancy-related hair loss
Hormonal imbalances that occur during pregnancy affect hair growth. Hair lossis an important problem in pregnancy.
Saffron helps reduce the intensity of pregnancy-related hair loss.
It regulates the mood
During pregnancy, mood swings occur due to hormonal fluctuations.
Saffron acts as an anti-depressant and its daily consumption helps improve mood.
Relieves muscle cramps
As the third trimester begins, pregnant women may experience severe muscle cramps and joint pains in the abdomen and legs.
This spice has anti-spasmodic properties that help relax the joints by reducing contractions in the leg and abdominal muscles, which relieves muscle cramps.
Improves sleep quality
Pregnant women may have sleepless nights due to conditions such as cramps or pain.
Drinking a glass of saffron milk before going to bed helps ensure an uninterrupted night's sleep.
When and how much should saffron be consumed during pregnancy?
It is recommended to start consuming this spice from the second trimester during pregnancy. You can add the spice to the milk or consume it in desserts.
More saffron than recommended can cause different complications during pregnancy. The recommended daily dose is less than 250mg. The side effects of consuming too much saffron during pregnancy are as follows:
Consuming too much saffron can negatively affect blood pressure.
Intake of 2 grams of saffron per day can initiate uterine contraction. Thus, it can cause miscarriage and premature birth.
Some pregnant women experience nausea, dry mouth, headache and may experience anxiety. This indicates an allergic reaction to saffron. Bleeding in the nose, numbness of the eyelids and lips are signs of serious allergic complications.
Vomiting is one of the worst side effects of saffron. During vomiting, the body loses water, which causes dehydration, loss of some vital nutrients, and dizziness.
Saffron Benefits For The Skin
This spice is a natural UV absorber. Protects the skin from sun damage. For this reason, it is used as an active ingredient in various sunscreens and skin lotions.
Moisturizes the skin.
It helps the skin look young.
Saffron also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin irritation, redness and swelling.
How is saffron used on the skin?
For the benefits of saffron for the skin, I will now give you the face mask recipes made with saffron.
saffron mask for acne
Mix 3-4 saffron threads into 1/4 glass of milk. Let it stay in the milk for about 2 hours.
Then apply this milk on your face and neck.
Wash it off after about 10-15 minutes.
You can do this mask 3-4 times a week.
This mask clears acne and also heals the skin. The spots left by acne will also begin to decrease.
Soak 2-3 saffron threads in two teaspoons of water overnight.
In the morning, add a teaspoon of milk, a small pinch of sugar and 2-3 drops of olive oil to the saffron water.
Dip a slice of bread in this mixture and spread the mixture on your face with this piece of bread.
Let the mask stay on your face for about 15 minutes. Then wash it.
You can do the mask 3-4 times a week.
This mask removes dullness from the skin. Helps reduce dark circles and fine lines.
Saffron mask that softens the skin
Soak 3-4 sunflowers and 2-3 threads of saffron that you removed from their shells in ¼ glass of milk overnight.
In the morning, run this mixture through the blender and apply the paste you have obtained to your skin.
Let it stay on your skin until it dries. Then wash your face.
You can use this mask twice a week.
Sunflowercontains oils that act as emollients when applied topically. It is rich in vitamin E.
Saffron mask that brightens the skin
Mix 3-4 saffron threads in 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Using this oil, massage the skin in upward motions.
Wipe off the oil with a wet cloth after an hour.
You can repeat this every other night.
Massage with saffron oil will improve circulation in the skin and give the skin a beautiful glow.
Saffron mask to remove dark spots
Mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 2-3 saffron threads.
Massage your skin in upward circular motions.
After waiting for a while, wash your face.
Do this every 2-3 days.
HoneyAntioxidants found in it get rid of blemishes, dark spots and scars on your skin. It also helps lock moisture into the skin.
Saffron mask for dry skin
Make a paste by mixing 1/4 cup of water, 4-5 saffron threads and 2 tablespoons of powdered milk.
Apply the mask on your face and wait for 15 minutes. Then wash with water.
Apply this mask twice a week.
The mask is effective for those with dry and dull skin.
Moisturizing saffron mask
Soak 10 saffron threads and 4-5 almonds in water overnight.
Blend it in the blender in the morning to get a smooth paste.
Apply it on your face and wait 15 minutes. Then wash it.
You can apply this mask twice a week.
Mask almondIt provides the moisture balance of the skin due to the natural oil contained in it.
acne removal saffron mask
Crush 5 basil leaves and 10-15 saffron threads with enough water to make a smooth paste.
Apply this mixture to the acne-prone areas.
Let the mask dry for a few minutes and then wash it off.
Repeat this mask twice a week.
BasilIts antimicrobial properties are helpful in getting rid of acne-causing bacteria. At the same time, it does not allow acne to leave marks.
Saffron mask for blackheads
Soak 2-3 saffron threads in 2 tablespoons of water overnight.
In the morning, thoroughly mix the threads until they are completely dissolved.
Apply this under the eyes and wait for 15-20 minutes. You can also apply this water to the black spots on your face.
Wash with water.
Do this every morning for a refreshed skin.
With regular use of this mask, black spots and dark circles disappear. Saffron brightens the skin.
Benefits of saffron for hair
Prevents hair loss
The antioxidants in saffron help prevent hair loss. The spice repairs hair follicles and promotes hair growth. For this, try the following mask:
Add a few pinches of saffron to the milk and add licorice root to the mixture.
Mix well until you get a paste. Apply this on your scalp and hair.
Wash off with cold water after 15 minutes.
Repeat twice a week.
Hair tonic
Saffron is effective in improving hair loss, hair damage and hair growth.
Take a few pinches of saffron and mix it with olive oil or almond oil.
Heat on medium heat for a few minutes and let cool.
Pour the mixture into a clean and dry bottle and use it regularly for hair health.
Where is saffron used?
Saffron herb and spice have a strong aroma. It adds flavor to rice dishes.
Although it is the most expensive spice in the world, even a small amount will add a strong flavor to dishes.
There are varieties in the market in the form of saffron powder or in the form of threads. Also available as a supplement.
As a nutritional supplement, 1,5 grams per day is safe. Doses higher than 5 grams or more can cause toxic effects.
High doses should be avoided as it may cause miscarriage in pregnant women. It is always necessary to consult a doctor before taking supplements.
Saffron is a spice that is rarely harmed and can be used safely. The amount used in meals does not cause side effects in humans.
Another thing about this spice – especially saffron powder – is that it can be mixed with other ingredients like beets, red dyed silk fibers, turmeric, and paprika.
This trick reduces the cost of the producers, since harvesting the real one is expensive. So it is necessary to be careful when purchasing.
You can also consume saffron as a tea or by adding it to milk.
Like many other herbs and spices, saffron can be prepared as a tea. Although there are different recipes for this, in general, saffron tea is made as follows:
First, boil water in a pot. Throw a pinch of saffron in the form of thread and infuse for 5-8 minutes.
Optionally, you can add other spices or tea leaves together with boiling water. for examplecardamom… You can consume your tea hot or cold.
How to make saffron milk?
For saffron milk, heat a glass of milk until warm. Add a few threads of saffron in it.
To increase the benefit of this milk, ginger, turmeric, black pepper Or you can add spices like cardamom.
The benefits of saffron milk are:
Saffron milk is healthy for your heart.
It is memory booster and treats insomnia.
It protects against colds and flu, especially in winter.
Relieves menstrual pain and premenstrual syndrome symptoms.
It helps in the treatment of asthma and allergic diseases.
It is also beneficial for your skin and hair.
Saffron milk is also beneficial during pregnancy.
Milk is rich in calcium. Therefore, it is beneficial for bone health.
What are the harms of saffron?
We talked about the benefits of saffron. What about the damages? In fact, saffron is harmless when consumed in moderation. But if consumed excessively, it can cause side effects such as:
Pregnant mothers and lactating women should be cautious
According to experts, consumption of saffron can be risky for expectant mothers. This also applies to breastfeeding mothers.
The spice causes contraction of the uterine muscles, which can possibly lead to miscarriage if consumed excessively.
Can lead to bipolar disorder
Excitement and impulsivity are two of the mood disorders that bile is known to worsen and thus lead to bipolar disorders.
In addition, people who already have this condition should avoid the consumption of saffron completely.
Saffron allergy
Some people may be allergic to saffron.
Itching, irritation, rash, redness and hives may occur.
Excessive consumption can exacerbate these allergic symptoms. Therefore, you should do an allergy test before using it directly on the skin.
Imbalance in appetite
Some people complain of loss of appetite when they consume saffron. Some have also experienced an increased appetite, which can lead to weight gain.
Nausea and vomiting
Excessive consumption of saffron can cause symptoms such as nausea and vomiting.
Sleeping state
Saffron has sedative properties, and excessive consumption of this spice leads to feeling sleepy all day.
excessive cravings
The spice is known to be an aphrodisiac, and its excessive consumption will lead to hypersexuality in men and women, making them always sexually active.
You are also likely to experience a cheerful mood, vitality and uncontrollable emotions. This is another side effect from excessive consumption of the spice.
Lowers blood pressure
Taking large amounts of saffron might lower blood pressure in people with low blood pressure.
This is extremely dangerous to health, which can lead the patient to coma and other serious conditions. It is recommended not to use more than a pinch of saffron.
saffron varieties
thread saffron
saffron threads, They are the dried stigmas of the saffron flower. It is added directly to the food when cooking. Saffron threads need heat to reveal their flavor. After adding it to the food, it should be cooked sufficiently. Be careful not to burn the threads.
Do not use a wire whisk when cooking saffron threads because they will break into pieces. If you use yarn instead of powder, you need to use twice the amount of powder.
Powdered Saffron
Powdered saffron is the ground form of threads. It can be added directly to the dish. The powder form of the spice is easily soluble in food. When using powder instead of yarn, use only half the amount specified in your recipe.
How to choose saffron?
There are fake products obtained by dyeing to reproduce saffron, a very expensive spice. It is very dangerous to use this type of saffron on the skin, as it can trigger allergic reactions or cause unwanted changes in your skin that may not always be treatable. To avoid these products, which can also be harmful to health, there are some points you should know when buying saffron:
To see if the saffron is fake, put a small portion of the spice in warm water or milk. If the liquid turns yellow immediately, it is fake. Pure saffron imparts a deep reddish-golden or dark yellowish color.
The benefits of saffron, which is a powerful spice with high antioxidant content; health benefits associated with improving mood, improving libido and sexual function, reducing PMS symptoms and weight loss. Be careful not to buy fake spices.
