Health Benefits of American Saffron

American Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the saffron crocus, a genus in the family Iridaceae. Mystery shrouds the origin of the English word, “saffron.” However, ancient texts suggest it is derived from the 12th-century Old French term safran, which comes from the Latin word Safran um.

The Super Expensive Spice

It is a dried yellow stigma, with just three stigmas in each flower. These need to be carefully hand-picked and then dried. Since almost 225,000 stigmas are needed to make just 1 pound of saffron, the intensive labor, and care needed to make it the most expensive spice in the world. American Saffron has a haunting hay-like smell with an earthy yet aristocratic and subtle flavor. It just takes a few strands of saffron to melt into and magically alter everything from risottos and milk puddings to rich curries and fish stews.

American Saffron dates back to Ancient Egypt and was highly treasured during the Classic Greece era for its coloring and aromatic properties. Studies show that it was the Arabs who introduced the cultivation of saffron in Spain somewhere in the 10th century.

During the Renaissance, Venice was considered the most important commercial center for the saffron trade. High prices meant adulterated saffron soon entered the trade and it is said that Henry VIII, who cherished the aroma of saffron, even condemned to death adulterers of saffron. Saffron is native to the Mediterranean, and most imported saffron comes from Spain.

Health Benefits of American Saffron

Here are the American Saffron health benefits.

Disease Prevention

Saffron contains the compounds crocin and crocetin that promote learning, memory retention, recall capacity, and are beneficial against fever, flu, and cold. It protects the central nervous system from oxidative stress keeping Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s at bay. It also helps in protecting against kidney, liver, and urinary bladder related diseases.

Anti-Depressant

American Saffron contains 5-hydroxytryptophan, which boosts blood flow to the brain, and produces serotonin, which helps in elevating the mood, reducing depression and anxiety.

Digestive properties

Saffron improves blood circulation in the digestive system, coats the membranes of the stomach and colon, soothing gastrointestinal colic and acidity. American Saffron is considered a blood purifier and anticonvulsant.

Maintains Heart Health

Potassium helps maintain blood pressure and keeps heart diseases at bay. Antioxidants in saffron help in lowering cholesterol and triglyceride. Crocetin helps reduce lipoproteins in the bloodstream, aids in oxygen distribution and blood circulation, and removes plaque from the arteries preventing atherosclerosis.

Fights Anemia

Abundant iron in American Saffron is critical for hemoglobin formation and it is a co-factor in red blood cell production.

Treats Acne and Blemishes

The antifungal and anti-bacterial content of saffron makes it effective for the treatment of acne, blemishes, and blackheads, and freshens up dull skin, erases dark circles under the eyes, exfoliates your skin, stimulate blood circulation, and prevents wrinkles.

Combats Hair Loss

Mixed with licorice and milk, and applied to bald spots combats combat hair loss (alopecia) and promotes hair growth.

Aphrodisiac

It benefits men’s vitality by healing impotency, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, assisting in maintaining a healthy sexual life.

Respiratory Soother

American Saffron is used to treating asthma, cough, whooping cough (pertussis), and loosen phlegm (as an expectorant). Saffron helps in clearing the narrow airways and reduces lung inflammation, preventing and reducing the severity of an asthmatic attack.

Soothes Menstrual Cramps and PMS

It reduces pain severity and duration during the menstrual cycle, lowers the level of cortisol and stress, and increases estrogen level, in women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS).

During Pregnancy

It enhances pelvic blood flow, suppresses cramps, gas, and bloating, and controls mood swings, anxiety, and depression through the release of serotonin hormone, during various stages of pregnancy. Saffron tea suppresses nausea and morning sickness.

American Yellow Saffron Tea Recipe

In American Yellow Saffron Tea Saffron is the prime ingredient. It has a bitter taste to it, so usually, it people will add other ingredients to cover up its bitter flavor.

You can add these ingredients to your American saffron tea:

Mint leaves. These leaves give a refreshing taste. It makes the tea look fresh and clean. If you do not have fresh mint leaves, you can try adding dried mint leaves. If you don’t have either in your kitchen or garden then you can add rosemary or lemongrass. But keep in mind that these are two unique ingredients and have their unique flavors.

Lemon wedges or lemon slices.  You can also add Lemon wedges or lemon slices. Both bring out different tastes. Lemon slices make the tea sour, while the lemon wedges create a nice lemon flavor to the American Yellow Saffron Tea.

Honey is also an option. Combining honey is optional. It depends on what you like.

Saffron Tea Benefits

American saffron tea acts as a natural cleanser of toxins.  It treats stomach ulcers and lacerations, psoriasis, intestinal disorders, negates gas accumulation in the stomach and intestines, thus preventing gastritis.

Fights Arthritis

It has anti-inflammatory properties that provide relief from joint pains, eases fatigue and muscle inflammation, and reduces bone erosion by helping the tissues to get rid of lactic acid which gets built up after strenuous exercise.

For Insomnia

It is a mild sedative used to treat insomnia and depression.

Improves Vision

It contains carotenoids that protect against aging diseases like macular degeneration and cataracts, shields against harmful sun radiations, and regulates the fatty acid of the cell membrane in the eyes.

For Strong Gums

Massaging the gums with saffron helps strengthen the gums, reduces soreness and inflammation, and swelling of the mouth and the tongue.

Anti-Cancer

Crocin and safranal in saffron inhibit the growth of tumors in the body through their anti-carcinogenic and anti-mutagenic properties. The carotenoids in American Saffron possess chemopreventive properties against colon, liver, and ovarian cancer.

Side Effects and Precautions

Allergic reactions

Though uncommon some people might experience reactions like dry mouth, anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, change in appetite, and headache.

Poisoning

In huge doses is UNSAFE and can cause poisoning, yellowing of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes; vomiting; dizziness; bloody diarrhea; bleeding from the nose, lips, and eyelids; numbness; and other serious side effects. Doses of 12-20 grams can cause death.

Pregnancy

Avoid doses greater than what normally is found in food. Larger amounts of saffron can make the uterus contract and might cause a miscarriage. Ideally, avoid it completely.

Bipolar disorder

It might trigger mood swings like excitability and impulsive behavior (mania) in people with bipolar disorder. Strictly prohibited for patients suffering from this condition.