The efficacy and function of saffron

Many people are not very clear about saffron, so when choosing saffron, you need to understand it so that you can feel at ease when eating it, which is beneficial for disease treatment.

【English name】 Saffron

[Other names] Saffron, saffron

[Source] It is the stigma of Crocus sativus L., a plant of the Iridaceae family. From October to mid-to-late November, pick the flowers on sunny mornings, remove the stigmas indoors, and dry them in the sun or in a low-temperature oven.

[Original form] Perennial herb. The bulb is oblate, of varying sizes, 0.5 to 10 cm in diameter, and covered with brown membranous scales. 2 to 14 clusters grow from the bulb, each cluster has 2 to 13 leaves, with 3 to 5 broad black scales at the base. The leaves are linear, 15 to 35 cm long, 2 to 4 mm wide, with curled edges and fine hairs. Flowers are terminal; 6 tepals, obovate, lavender, tube is tubular; 3 stamens, anther base is arrow-shaped; ovary is inferior, 3-chambered, style is slender, yellow, 3 stigmas, expanded and funnel-shaped, extending out of the tepals tube and drooping, dark red. Capsule oblong with three obtuse edges. Seeds numerous, spherical. The flowering period is from October to November.

[Habitat distribution] It has been introduced and cultivated in Beijing, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangsu and other places.

[Properties] The stigma is linear, about 3 cm long, dark red, wider and slightly flatter at the top, with irregular serrations on the top edge, and a small section of yellow style remaining at the bottom. It is light, soft, without any oily luster, and becomes brittle and easily breaks after drying. It has a peculiar, slightly irritating smell and a slightly bitter taste. It is mild in nature and sweet in taste.

[Chemical composition] Contains crocin-1, 2, 3, 4 (crocin-1~4), picrocrocin, crocetin dimethyl ester, α-crocetin, safranal, volatile oil, etc.

【Nature and flavor】 Neutral in nature, sweet in taste.

[Functions and indications] Promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, cool blood and detoxify, relieve depression and calm the mind. It is used for amenorrhea, postpartum blood stasis, rashes caused by warm toxins, depression, fullness of stomach and stomach, palpitations and madness.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] The name saffron first appeared in "Pinhui Jingyao".

Having said so much, we can see that saffron has many functions. It can also be used as medicine to treat diseases. You might as well know more about these, it will be helpful in your life.