Health Benefits of Saffron
In Arabic saffron means yellow, when we use it when cooking it gives a yellow tint to food. It is one of the most expensive herbs and has many health benefits associated with it. Here is a list of some benefits of saffron:
1. Treats Depression
The NYU Langone Medical Centre explains that saffron is good for treating depression and is comparable to fluoxetine. Its beneficial when long-term treatments are required to cure depression as it does not have any side effects.
2. Prevents Cancer
Saffron has anti-cancerous properties which make it useful for preventing cancer. Saffron contains crocin and safranal that inhibit the growth of tumors and is useful for preventing colon, liver, and ovarian cancer.
3. Boosts Memory
Saffron contains powerful anti-oxidants crocin and crocetin that help boost your memory and improve the learning process. Eating saffron also reduces cellular stresses. You can also help prevent Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases by enjoying saffron. It helps retaining data as well as recollection of old data and is helpful for people with ADHD.
4. Helps with PMS
A study conducted in 2008 found that 76% of women who consumed saffron experienced 50% drop in PMS symptoms such as fatigue and mood swings. Saffron milk also helps relieve menstrual cramps.
5. Relieves toothache
Saffron is used as a toothache remedy for teething babies. You can make a natural lotion by mixing honey with saffron and massage the gums with a ring coated with this antiseptic lotion. It also helps reduce soreness and inflammation in the mouth.
6. Prevents vision loss
According to a study by Professor Silvia Bisti at ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science and University of L’Aquila in Italy, it was found that saffron can slow down vision loss associated with aging. It alters the genes responsible for fatty acid content of vision cell membranes.
7. Insomnia
Saffron is a mild sedative which helps treat insomnia. If you have insomnia you can try milk with a pinch of saffron in it before going to bed. This will help with insomnia and other sleep disorders.It regulates sleep hormones which leads to sound sleep.
8. Soothes Fever
Due to the compound crocin in saffron, its also useful for reducing fever. Have saffron milk if you’re suffering from fever and it will help lower your fever.
9. Helps in Arthritis
Saffron contributes to reducing the inflammation of arthritis and is beneficial for joint pain. Its also useful for easing fatigue and muscle inflammation in athletes, it helps the tissues to get rid of lactic acid which builds after exercise.
10. Skin Health
Saffron is useful for skin health. It helps give radiant skin when used as a face pack. It also helps your skin look fairer and is beneficial for treating acne and blemishes while giving nice texture to your skin and improves dull and dry skin.
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