Saffron is known as Zafaran or Kesar. The thread like part of Zafraan flower is used for many health and medicinal purposes.Saffron health benefits includes promoting mental health, helping prevent macular degeneration, enhancing the skin, preventing hair loss, supporting respiratory health, increasing sexual vitality, relieving pain and supporting hormone system. Saffron is extremely rich in manganese, which helps regulate blood sugar and aids the formation of bones, tissues, and sex hormones (1). It also contains vitamin C that fights infections and aids iron absorption.
Benefits of Saffron for Health:—
1. Protects against cancer
Saffron contains a dark orange, water soluble carotene called crocin, which is responsible for much of saffron’s golden color. Saffron is rich in carotenoids, which can contribute to its anticancer properties. Crocin in saffron can prevent breast cancer and leukemia
2. Protection Against Cold
Saffron is an effective tonic to treat cold and fever. Saffron is a stimulant tonic and very effective to treat cold and fever; saffron mixed in milk and applied over the forehead quickly relieves cold.It consists of various healing properties and is warm in nature that helps reduce the risk of catching a cold.
3. Helps Improve Memory
A glass of saffron milk could also help boost your memory retention. It is also believed that saffron can help prevent oxidative stress in the hippocampus, further enhancing learning and memory skills. saffron is encapsulated and used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, memory loss and inflammation. In order to get its maximum benefits, instead of adding saffron to your regular food as a spice, it is always better to drink a glass of saffron milk on a regular basis.
4. Is Good During Pregnancy
saffron is believed to be healing in nature. It’s commonly used as a muscle relaxant. It may help relieve stomach aches too. Some pregnant mums use it to improve digestion and increase their appetite.
It is also used as a skin enhancer in beauty creams. Traditionally, there is a belief that saffron can act as an appetite booster and aid digestion in pregnant women. You can start taking saffron milk at any time during your pregnancy. Milk is a great source of proteins and calcium. It is best to add just one or two strands of saffron to a glass of milk during pregnancy. It is also safe to use a few strands of saffron in your cooking. Many use this herb to flavour biryani, kheer, lassi and other foods.
From ancient times, pregnancy and saffron consumption goes hand in hand in India due to various reasons. Ayurveda believes that right amount of saffron consumption can ease the pregnancy discomforts for the soon-to-be mothers. During pregnancy, skin becomes dry and dull. Saffron can be used in face packs to give a supple glowing skin.
5. Good For Heart
A pinch of saffron could also do wonders for your heart. Several studies have shown that crocetin helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood and helps in preventing any heart-related diseases.
Potassium in saffron is good in controlling heart beat by allowing to slow down thus protect the heart.
What Are The Benefits For Skin?
Saffron for face can be used by making a saffron face pack, face scrub and toner. Known to lighten skin, saffron is also used as an ingredient in many beauty products. Saffron can help in removing unnecessary tanning from the skin. Saffron has antioxidants such as carotenoids and crocetin. These antioxidants make the skin appear fresh and young.
1. Saffron for glowing skin:
2. Saffron good for pimples:
3. Saffron for radiant skin:
4. Saffron for hair loss:
5. For skin brightening
6. To tone the skin
