Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-oxidant and much more

Anti-Inflammatory and More

The medicinal uses of saffron have long history beginning in Asian countries. Recent studies have validated its potential to lower the risk of several diseases. Some metabolites derived from saffron stigmas exert numerous therapeutic effects due to hypolipidemic, antitussive, antioxidant, antidiabetic activities and many others. Water and ethanol extracts of Cocus sativus L. are cardioprotective and counteract neurodegenerative disorders.

Many of these medicinal properties of saffron can be attributed to a number of its compounds such as crocetin, crocins and other substances having strong antioxidant and radical scavenger properties against a variety of radical oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Botany, worldwide spreading of cultivars, biochemical pathways, active constituents and chemical detection methods are reviewed. Therapeutic uses of saffron principles with particular regard to those exhibiting antioxidant and thus anti-inflammatory features are discussed. To date, very few adverse health effects of saffron have been demonstrated.

Arthritis
Saffron should help in reducing swelling of arthritis. Saffron offers rest from joint pains. It is extremely ideal for athletes since it helps reduce exhaustion and also muscle inflammation simply by enhancing the tissues to get rid of lactic acid which gets built up right after intense exercise.

Relieves from inflammation of Mouth and Tongue
Saffron is known to have several active components that effects favorably on the patients that are suffering from neuro degenerative ailments. It is useful in soreness or even burning of mouth when it is rubbed onto gums. Instant relief has been reported.

Some ancient history about saffron
The spice’s application as an anti-inflammatory agent has been known for thousands of years. A research team from the KNH Centre for Biomedical Egyptology at The University of Manchester discovered the evidence in medical papyri written in 1500-1000 B.C. that indicated the Egyptians used saffron to treat inflammation, according to “Medical News Today.” Saffron dates back to the 10th century BC, during the reign of King Solomon.

Tradition states that when ancient Phoenicians desired luck and love, the baked cakes to honor their goddess of love, strongly flavored with saffron. Phoenician merchants were the greatest dispersers of saffron. The Roman Marcus Aurelius supposedly bathed in saffron water, which colored the skin and simultaneously enhanced male virility.

In ancient Egyptian papyrus from the 2nd century BC, saffron is described as the king of plants. Babylonian rulers and Persian kings, sons of the gods, wore saffron-yellow boots. Hercules as a child was swaddled in saffron cloth. Homer writes that many ladies in antiquity, leaders in fashion of the time, wore saffron-yellow clothing and Zeus himself, when descending from Mount Olympus to be among mortals, smelled of saffron. The oldest saffron cultivars, still in use today, are found in Spain and southern France. It was brought there by exhausted warriors from the Crusades of the 11th century.

Medical disclaimer : This information, downloaded from various websites, are intended solely for general purpose. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.