Saffron Its Properties And Beneficial Uses-3

Saffron Properties And Benefits

It has been described that Saffron favors lipid assimilation. Crocetin, saffron carotenoid component, increases the diffusion of oxygen in the blood plasma, so that it has had an effect against atherosclerosis and the reducing of cholesterol levels in blood.

It has been shown that Saffron may have a beneficial effect against cardiovascular diseases.


Also currently used for its sedative and spasmodic effect, in limited doses, calm stomach pains and cramping and is present in pharmacies as alcoholic tincture, where opium and saffron are the base ingredients of laudanum.


The tincture is used externally as a mouthwash to rub the gums, as an analgesic during the birth of the teeth in children and for internal use in cases of asthenia, dyspepsia, flatulence, amenorrhea, gingivitis, hyperlipidemia .

Its healing powers were applicable to cases of anemia, headache and insomnia and scope of saffron in the treatment of eye diseases  and cutaneous as a poultice.


How to use it
* Infusion . 2 g of Saffron boiled in a liter of water. Two cups of this tea daily to improve digestion.

* Powder. Carefully and without passing the dose indicated by the doctor. It is used as a carminative, to stimulate the appetizer, and to accelerate the
menstruation.

* Tincture. Directly rubbed on the gums to relieve pains.


Risk of overdose
It may be toxic in large doses, so it is important to consult a specialist before use it. In large doses it can cause uterine contractions and can cause pontaneous abortions and endanger the mother herself.


Saffron poisoning is evidenced by a classic picture of intoxication: diarrhea, vomiting, headaches, severe abdominal cramps, bleeding in urine. In case you suffer from these symptoms is mandatory to go to the doctor.


In high doses can even cause death, depending on the study, it says that 10 to 20 grams could cause it.

Part    |    1    |    2    |    3    | 

Saffron Its Properties And Beneficial Uses-2

Saffron Properties And Benefits

Vitamins
Bhatt and Broker found in four Saffron samples a content of Riboflavin ( Vit B2 ) of 138 , 93.3 , 78.7 and 56.4 grams, as thiamine ( Vit B1) with corresponding values to 4, 3.8, 0.72 and 0.88 grams.

Another researcher, Rajagopalan, said that in albino mice, an saffron amount so insignificant as 150 grams granted the same kind of benefits that 40 mg of pure synthetic riboflavin.


Carotenoids, vitamins and aromatic substances that saffron has, having the following effects:

Carotenoids:
• Protection of the cells against oxidation.

• Increased immune resistance

• Precursor action of Vitamin A

• Antitumoral

Vitamin B1:
• Antioxidant

• Helping in the growth


Vitamin B2:
• It promotes the exchange of cellular oxygen

• Necessary for metabolism


Aromatics:
• Activation of metabolism

• Contribution to the digestion improvement.


Medicinal Properties
Saffron is recommended to relieve dental problems like inflammation gums and gingivits. To the crocin is attributed properties that helps to lower blood lipid levels. It is ideal for patients with excess of lipids and triglycerides.

For women it helps in problems of dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea, also help to have more regular bleeding. However it is important not use in case of pregnancy.


It is attributed, from extremely varied therapeutic properties, until its excellent results in the treatment related to the female organ.


Diseases of genital organs, regulation and relief of menstrual periods, are some of the applications of Saffron. It has been shown that the therapeutic effect is blamed to a congestive action expressed in uterine level measured by the blood flow. Related to the latter, is knows its abortifacient action and its  contraceptive power.


Chemical analyzes of the extracts of Saffron spice, reveal that its characteristic components are the carotenoids crocin ( colouring principle) and crocetin, and monoterpene aldehydes and safranal picrocrocin. Among of them, have been shown the chemopreventive effects of crocines against hepatocarcinogenic agents inhibiting the synthesis of nucleic acids by crocetin (derived from deglycosylated ).

 Part    |    1    |    2    |    3    |

Saffron Its Properties And Beneficial Uses-1

Saffron Properties And Benefits

The Saffron is a spice derived from the dried stigmas of Crocus sativus flower , a species of crocus in the family Iridaceae.

Origin of saffron
The Saffron is the oldest spice known and used by man since the dawn of mankind the cultivation of this plant closely related to the most cultured civilizations of the Eastern world, and its discovery in the West is marked by the progressive movement of peoples which , from east to west, formed the sequence of the cultures of the entire Mediterranean.


Its virtues and benefits have been collected since the beginning of civilization, largely in books (from the Old Testament to the more modest annotations) or transmitted orally from generation to generation through the popular culture.


This ancient plant is linked to the history and socio- cultural values of mankind since the Bronze Age, has also been object of interestof divine, raising to the sacred category of Olympus, forming part of the classical antiquity mythology.

Today Saffron is part of the culinary culture from different regions of the world :

• In Saudi Arabia, an authentic Arabic coffee must have cardamom and saffron.

• In India, saffron is an indispensable ingredient in many rice recipes, sweets and ice cream. It is used in Ayurvedic medicine for many recipes and also in religious cults.

• In northern Italy and southern Switzerland, Saffron is essential in preparing
the famous risotto.

• In Sweden, is a tradition make a bread with saffron  the St. Lucia day.

• In Spain, as we know saffron is an indispensable ingredient in such famous dishes like Paella.


Chemical composition of saffron
On the ground of Crocus sativus L. exist compounds  in its stigmas such as crocin and crocetin carotenoids, monoterpenes and aldehydes picrocrocin safranal and activating proteins / platelet aggregation inhibitors, lectins which bind mannose and a cytotoxic proteoglycan.


A total of eleven components make the  Saffron's chemist whose order of importance is as follows:

* Ash. 5 / 8%

* Crude fiber 0.4 / 5 %

* Picrocrocin . 2/5 %

* Sugars 13/14 %

* Proteins 10/14 %

* Gum and dextrins 9/10 %

* Moisture and volatile ( at 105 ° C ) 8/10 %

* Crocin 8/11 %

* Starch 6 / 7%

* Pentoses - 6/7 %

* Total soluble in water 55/65 %.

Part    |    1    |    2    |    3    |