Considered the most expensive spice in the world, saffron has been used since antiquity for many purposes. In addition to its exquisite flavor, this ingredient served as a dye, but also as a natural remedy. Saffron has a panoply of therapeutic and medicinal virtues that make it an even more popular spice. Recently, a scientific study has demonstrated a new benefit of saffron on ocular health. Let's do a check in.
The saffron of its scientific name Crocus Sativus is a herbaceous plant belonging to the iridaceae family. To extract the spice, it is necessary to pick its red stigmas generally of a length of 2.5 to 3.2 cm and to dehydrate them. This is how the saffron appears in the displays of fine grocery stores, with as a bonus a price very expensive!
Saffron is native to Greece and then began to be grown in the Middle East. The saffron flower blooms from the month of October, after harvest, its stigmas are dried. This spice is rich in vitamin A, B and C and also contains many carotenoids. As for its color, it owes it to the crocine whereas its aroma is due to the presence of the saffron.
Saffron is widely used in cooking as a coloring agent but also as a seasoning. This spice is distinguished by its slightly bitter taste and gives a yellow or orange-yellow color to the dishes. It is also renowned for other gastronomic properties, including its harmonizing and enhancing powers.
Thanks to its culinary characteristics, saffron is very prized in different cuisines of the world, notably Arab, Indian, Iranian and European. But not that, this spice is also widely used for medicinal purposes.
Indeed, since antiquity, saffron served as a basis for preparing many natural remedies.
The benefits of saffron:
Possessing several therapeutic properties, saffron helps to alleviate several ailments:
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It is effective in improving digestion
- It helps to fight against rising cholesterol and prevents cardiovascular diseases
Thanks to its tonic effect, this spice combats fatigue and overwork
- It is considered antidepressant, an action due to the safranal present in its volatile parts. This spice acts on the nervous system and helps relieve mild depression, anxiety as well as stress
- It is recommended in case of menstrual pain, because it is emmenagogue
- It helps to fight insomnia thanks to its slightly sedative effect
- It helps relieve the pain associated with dental flare in babies, thanks to its analgesic properties
- It protects and stimulates the liver and also helps to alleviate the effects of alcohol on this organ
In traditional Chinese medicine, saffron is considered a powerful female aphrodisiac
Saffron was used in medieval Europe to treat colds, coughs, asthma
Saffron is thus a mine of benefits. Used in infusion, mother tincture or decoction, it helps to relieve several health problems. Recently, a brand new virtue of saffron has been discovered.
Saffron, a major ally to preserve eye health:
According to a study conducted by Professor Silvia Bisti of The Vision Center at the University of Sydney and by Italian researchers, saffron could help prevent loss of vision in the elderly.
The study, which was held over 6 months, was conducted in Italy at the Policlinico Gemelli and was attended by 25 subjects. Half of the group took one saffron tablet for the first three months, followed by a placebo for the remaining months, while the second group consumed the tablets in reverse order.
According to Professor Silvia Bisti, all subjects showed an improvement in their vision when they consumed the saffron tablets. During the tests, patients were able to read one or two lines with smaller characters than before, while some patients said they could read the newspaper and books again.
These effects would be due to the fact that saffron affects genes that regulate the level of fatty acids contained in cell membranes, which makes the visual cells stronger. The professor also highlighted the anti-apoptotic properties of saffron, its ability to increase the availability of oxygen in the body and prevent cell death.