Saffron is an herb that is derived from the flowers of crocus Linne. Crocus is a flowering plant that grows throughout parts of the Middle East and parts of Europe. It is most often grown within Iran, India, and Greece.
It blooms for approximately three or four weeks in the months of October and November. The flower is characterized by dark red stigmas, sometimes known as threads. They are removed with care and dried. They are believed to be the spice of saffron.
Saffron is also used for culinary uses to add flavor and color to food items, for fabric dye, and as a fragrance ingredient. As with many other spices and herbs Saffron can also be prepared in tea form.
Saffron has remained an important place in the market as an ingredient used in cooking as well as an alternative treatment for a variety of health issues. A few studies have demonstrated that the spice is effective in many different ways.
Learn more about the advantages for health and learn how to make saffron-infused tea.
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What is the background of the saffron color?
The crocus’s saffron can grow up to 20-30 centimeters (cm). It takes about three years after they’ve been planted to be seeds for the crocus to flower. Each plant produces three or four flowers and each flower consists of around three stigmas.
Saffron is among the most pricey spices around the globe because it is harvested by hand. It also requires a huge amount of dried stigmas to produce 1 kg (kg) in the form of the spice.
This spice has a long-standing history. It’s believed that people used saffron at least 3,500 years back. It was used historically to treat a variety of diseases, including:
- difficulty in urinating
- menstrual problems
- eye disorders
- ulcers
- stomach problems
- Tumors
- mental disorders
Are there any health advantages of the tea saffron?
1. Antidepressant
Saffron has been dubbed”the “sunshine spice.” And this isn’t just because of its red or occasionally yellow coloring. It is believed that the spice may enhance moods. There might be some research that supports these claims.
An earlier study was published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology
It was discovered that saffron is just as effective as prozac (Prozac) for treating moderate to mild depression.
A study published in The Journal of Integrative Medicine examined numerous studies that involved Saffron’s use in the treatment of depression among older adults. The researchers found that saffron could help people suffering from major depression. This could make the spice an excellent alternative for those who aren’t able to take antidepressant medication well.
2. Heart health
Saffron contains a variety of chemical elements. Certain of them may aid in lowering blood pressure, and protect from heart diseases.
Research conducted on rats revealed that saffron decreased blood pressure. Another study using rabbits showed that the spice was efficient in lowering cholesterol levels and the levels of triglycerides.
A human study from the past is published in Indian Journal of Medical Sciences
Researchers found that saffron lowered the likelihood that cholesterol that is bad could cause tissue damage. Scientists believe that antioxidants of saffron may provide a protection in the case of heart disease.
3. Treatment for PMS
The condition known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can trigger a number of uncomfortable symptoms, ranging from mood shifts as well as physical discomfort. Women who suffer from PMS are more than other women. For those who need relief but don’t wish to depend on medication Saffron could be an alternative.
A study within the Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology focused on the effectiveness of herbal treatments for PMS and for the more severe premenstrual dysphoric condition (PMDD). Both of these conditions can cause discomfort for women in the first two weeks prior to when her period starts. Saffron is mentioned in the review as an effective remedy for the symptoms.
Researchers looked into saffron as a solution for PMS symptoms among women aged 20-45. Researchers discovered that consuming 15 mg of saffron two times a day can be effective in alleviating PMS symptoms.
4. Increases memory
Saffron is a source of two chemicals that are crocetin and crocin which scientists believe could aid learning and memory functions.
Phytotherapy Studies on mice revealed that saffron could enhance memory and learning. This promising study suggests that saffron could be a good choice for treating disorders that affect the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s.
5. Prevention of cancer
Saffron is abundant in antioxidants and flavonoids. Antioxidants can protect your human body against harmful chemicals. Flavonoids are chemical compounds found in plants that aid the plant to protect itself from infections and fungi.
A review published in 2015 from The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine discovered that the chemical structure of saffron could be beneficial in treating and preventing many different types of cancer. However, researchers warn that further studies with humans are required.
Where can I buy saffron?
When you purchase saffron products, make sure that you purchase it from a trusted source. You can find it at an organic and health food shop or an online vendor that has a good track record. The spice is costly and can be the victim of fraud. To save money, companies can mix saffron in together with various other components. This does not just diminish the benefits of saffron however, it could be harmful as well.Kashmir box is one of the trusted platforms to buy saffron.
How to make saffron-infused tea?
Saffron tea is prepared simply by soaking the threads in hot water. The spice has bitter and strong flavor. Because of this, many recipes incorporate the herb in many different ways. You can mix it with tea leaves or mix it with other herbs and spices.
The recipes can be different in flavor, but they generally include simmering water over a pot before adding saffron and other ingredients. Let the saffron infuse as it would be if you let a teabag soak in hot water for five to eight minutes. Remove the threads, and drink it.
This recipe comes from Eat Beautiful mixes saffron with cardamom. It uses either coconut or raw milk for more flavor.
