Sabtu, 07 Juli 2012

HealthBenefits of Saffron


Health Benefits of Saffron(Kesari)
Crocus. sativus
Family: Iridaceae

The reputation of growing saffron is about 2500 years. Apparently saffron originally comes from Greece
and Mediterranean region. There are some researchers who believe that origin of this plant comes from
Iran.  Iran  is considered  to be one of  the greatest producers of saffron and nearly 90% of production of saffron  is  produced  in  Iran. The flower of Crocus sativa is a light purple, but it is the thread-like reddish colored stigma of the flower that is valued both as a spice and as a natural colorant.

There  are  varieties  of  chemical  components  present  in  the  stigma  of  the saffron plant. These chemical components include carbohydrates, minerals, mucilage, vitamins such as riboflavin  and  thiamine, color pigments such  as  crocin, anthocyanin, carotene, lycopene, Zeaxanthin and aromatic  terpenic essence called “safranal” and  flavoring substances such as picrocrocin. Crocin  is the most influential chemical in the coloring of saffron. Other than crocin, saffron is also made  up  of  free  aglycone  crocin and a  small  number  of  anthocyanin  pigments.  The  oil  soluble  color pigments include lycopene, alpha carotene, beta carotene and Zeaxanthin. Today, based on growing and effective  applications  of saffron in medical  fields and in  alternative  medicine,  it  has  attracted  the attention of many researchers.

Saffron may substitute chemical medicines.Some medical properties of saffron are as follows: 
helps digestion,strengthens the stomach and is anti-tympanites,activates the sexual desire, is analgesic,especially for colicky pains gingivitis, fights tumors and collection of free radicals (thus reacting against cancerous cells),is euphoriant and alleviates neuralgia,is a tranquilizer,cures insomnia, strengthens memory power, improve concentration, reacts against spasm,fights depression,  the Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, controls blood pressure disorders,lowers high cholesterol levels,cures iron deficiency (anemia) in girls, reduces chances of such heart diseases as arteriosclerosis, and helps improve heart conditions (due to the presence of thiamin,riboflavin and mineral components), cures respiratory disorders such as asthma,cough,influenza and cold, helps blood circulation in the retina, cures macula lutea and retinopathy ischemic caused by old age.Cures rheumatism and bruises when used externally,cures amebic dysentery, measles,and inflammation of the liver,splenomegaly and urogenital infections.The application of saffron in cancer-treatment experiments performed on laboratory animals has proved successful. 

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