Saffron

Saffron in Hindi has been described as very important in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, consuming saffron is very beneficial for young children to adults. The use of saffron not only brings many benefits to your body, but it also prevents many diseases from occurring. It also helps in curing the disease.

You may have heard and read the name of saffron (kesar) many times, but perhaps you will not be fully aware of the advantages inside saffron. In such a situation, you will not be able to take full advantage of saffron. So let us tell you how beneficial it can be to use saffron.

What is Kesar or Saffron?

Saffron plant is small in size. Saffron is used in various medicines, and food items. The saffron plant survives for many years. Under its root, there is a nodulus bulbous like onion. Its leaves are as tall as grass, and thin. Saffron flowers are blue, purple, red-orange in color. The stigma of the dried pistil of the flower is called saffron. Three types of saffron have been described in Ayurveda. The qualities of all are different which are: –

1.Kashmirj Saffron

Kashmiri saffron is red in color. This saffron is made up of fine fibers. It has a lotus-like smell. It is considered to be the best in all the three categories of saffron.

2.Liquid Saffron

It is saffron of the country of Balakh-Bukhara. It is finely fibrous, and frosted. Its smell is like honey. This saffron is considered to be inferior to Kashmiri saffron.

3.Parsikas-Paras Saffron

It is saffron of Iran. It is grossly fibrous, light yellow in color, and has a honey-like odor. This saffron is also said to be of lesser quality than Kashmiri saffron.

Name of Kesar in Different Languages

The botanical name of saffron is Crocus sativus Linn., Syn-Crocus officinalis (Linn.) Honck. Saffron is also known by many names throughout the world. Its different names are:

Kesar (saffron) in-

• Hindi – Saffron, Saffron, Zafran
• Urdu-Japran
• English – Crocus, Saffron crocus, Saffron
• Sanskrit-kunkum, saffron, penetrated, blood, kashmirj, bahliq
• Kannada-Kunkumakesari
• Kashmir-Kong (Kong)
• Gujarati-keshar
• Tamil – kungumapu
• Telugu-Kunkumapuvu (Kunkumapuvu)
• Bengali-Japran
• Punjabi-keshal
• Marathi-Kesar
• Malayalam-Kesaram
• Nepali-Keshar (Keshar)
• Arabic-Jafran, Zahafaran, Kurkum
• Persian-Karkimasa, Larkimasa, Jafraan

Nutritious elements of saffron per 100 grams calories 310, total fat 6 grams, 9% saturated fat 1.6 grams 8% polyunsaturated fat 2.1 grams monounsaturated fat 0.4 grams cholesterol 0 mg 0% sodium 148 mg 6% potassium 1,724 mg 49% total carbohydrate 65 grams 21% dietary fiber 3.9 grams 15% protein 11 grams 22% vitamin A 10% vitamin C 134% calcium 11% iron 61% vitamin D 0% vitamin B6 50% magnesium 66% saffron intake Only 1 to 3 grams should be consumed. Consuming more than this increases the risk of many serious diseases.

Benefits:

1. Consuming limited amount of saffron gives relief to women in period pain and leukemia. 
2. If you have any problem of sleeplessness at night, that is insomnia, then take a limited amount of saffron. 
3. Mixing saffron in a face mask or face pack and applying it on the face enhances the skin color. In addition, by consuming saffron milk of a pregnant woman during pregnancy, the color of the baby is also clear. 
4. Saffron serves as a panacea for young children. For this, mix baby saffron in milk and give saffron. Also, light saffron rubbing on the chest provides relief. 
5. Crocetin found in saffron increases oxygenation in the brain making it much easier to treat arthritis, a special variety of saffron provides relief in arthritis or gout.
6. According to research on saffron, the risk of cancer from saffron can also be prevented. An element called crocin is found in saffron. Which prevents the colorectal cell responsible for cancer from growing. Not only this, the element Crocin reduces the risk of skin cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and leukemia. 
7. Saffron has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties. Which makes our body’s digestive system strong by removing peptic ulcer and ulcerative colitis. Which gives benefit in digestive diseases. 
8. Saffron acts as a lifesaving for pregnant women. Its limited intake helps in reducing spasm, gas and swelling of the extremities. Also relieves depression and anxiety. 
9. It is common to have eye problems today. In this case, consuming limited amount of saffron increases the eyesight. Along with this, one gets relief in serious illness like cataract. 
10. Anti-oxidant elements are found in abundance in saffron, which is gradually reduced by increasing the age of aging as a face mask or face cream. Applying a pinch of saffron mixed with raw papaya makes the skin of the face clean and soft.

Disadvantages of Saffron

Consumption or consumption of saffron daily increases the risk of jaundice and food poisoning. Because the saffron effect is hot. Excess intake leads to rapid increase in body temperature. Due to which the digestive system gets damaged. In addition, excessive use of saffron can be fatal for elderly patients and pregnant women struggling with liver, kidney and bone marrow disease.

Benefits of Kesar for Heart Disease

Heart disease is considered a very serious disease. Thousands of people worldwide suffer from heart disorders, and they are also prone to risk their lives. Saffron can also be beneficial for these people. Mix saffron with other medicines that make the heart healthy. It is beneficial in heart disease.

For liver health

 Liver metastasis is a cancerous tumor. It starts from any place in the body and spreads to the liver. It is also called secondary liver cancer. In addition, another research found that saffron may reduce the risk of hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) by various actions. These include actions such as controlling antioxidant enzymes and improving liver damage.

Benefits of Saffron for immunity and energy

The carotenoids present in saffron can positively improve the immune system. One study has found that saffron is enriched with carotenoids and may affect carotenoid immunity. 100 mg of saffron daily may be helpful for temporary immunomodulatory activity without any harmful effects. At the same time, it can also be consumed for energy in the body, because it contains good amount of calories.

Properties of Saffron for Wound Healing

Saffron can also be used to heal wounds. it has been found that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants present in saffron may be helpful in rapidly healing burns. 

Benefits of eating saffron as an aphrodisiac

Saffron can improve the sex life of humans. According to a scientific research, saffron can help improve sexual health of men. Research has suggested that saffron extracts and croquetin present in it may be effective as aphrodisiacs.

In addition, the antioxidant properties found in saffron may positively impact sperm quality and motility in men. At the same time, croquetin present in saffron can reverse the damage to the male reproductive system using nicotine.

Useful Parts of Kesar

Saffron is mainly used in two ways, which are: –

• Stamen
• Stigma

How to consume saffron?

You can consume saffron in this quantity: –

Quantity – 0.5 – 1 gram

You can take full advantage of saffron, so please consult a doctor before using saffron.