Saffron is one of the expensive spices. The value of the product is associated with the complexity of the manufacturing process. The spice is created from dried stigmas of purple crocus, and there are only 3 of them in 1 flower. Therefore, about 200 thousand flowers are needed to collect 1 kg of products. The beneficial properties of saffron are described in the article.
History
Saffron has been known for over 10 thousand years. Due to its coloring effect, it was used for drawing rock paintings. During the formation of the Aegean culture, the mural "To the Saffron Collector" was made, which depicts a man bent over these flowers. This spice is mentioned in Sumerian cuneiform writing.
At this time, crocuses have already begun to be eaten, as well as to create perfumes and aromatic oils from them. Under Alexander the Great, saffron was used to heal wounds and ailments. And ancient Chinese manuscripts attributed it to miraculous plants. During the development of navigation and during the Crusades, the plant was brought to Europe.
Since ancient times, saffron has been considered a symbol of prosperity, nobility, spirituality. For example, in Indian culture, religious ministers wore saffron-colored clothes, since the colorsymbolizes high spiritual development. And now the spice does not lose its value. The high price is associated with rarity, duration and painstaking workmanship and valuable properties.
What is it made of?
The benefits are related to the composition of saffron. It contains many vitamins and minerals that positively affect human he alth. This spice is versatile. It consists of:
- Vitamins C, A, K, PP, B.
- Macro and microelements: magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, phosphorus.
- Essential oils.
- Fatty acids – omega-3, omega-6, omega-9.
- Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids.
- Dietary fiber.
Saffron flower in 100 g includes 310 kcal. It has carbohydrates (65g), proteins (11g) and fats (6g).
Benefit
The beneficial properties of saffron have been known for a long time. Dried stigmas of purple crocus are considered a source of valuable components, which allows them to be used in treatment:
- Seasoning has a positive effect on the digestive tract. It restores the digestive system, the work of the spleen and gallbladder. The spice is able to increase metabolism and remove toxins.
- Spice has a positive effect on the nervous system, brain function, improves vision.
- Saffron can improve the activity of the heart and blood vessels. Including it in the diet normalizes cardiac activity, strengthens the walls of blood vessels and lowers blood pressure. Regular intake leads to a cleansing of the circulatory and genitourinary systems.
- Saffron seasoning is valuable for women. It has a particularly positive effect onreproductive function. The use of spices increases sexual desire, restores the menstrual cycle and hormonal levels. It is used in the treatment of the genitourinary system. In the East, it is used for infertility and the risk of miscarriage.
- The beneficial properties of saffron are also known for men. The spice can enhance sexual desire. The spice is an aphrodisiac. It has a positive effect on men's he alth, giving the body strength and energy.
- Saffron is effective for insomnia, depression, it relieves inflammation and infections. No wonder the spice was known in ancient times. It has been used to treat many diseases.
Due to its beneficial properties, saffron is used in the following cases:
- deterioration of memory and mental work;
- disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
- epilepsy and hysteria;
- female infertility;
- respiratory diseases;
- malfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system;
- muscular degeneration;
- angina, atherosclerosis;
- impotence and decreased libido;
- oncology;
- gout;
- rheumatism;
- depression, nervous breakdown.
Saffron flower is useful for many ailments. Use it in the absence of these diseases. It will also be effective in disease prevention.
Application
Spice is used on an industrial scale. It is used in cooking, cosmetology, pharmaceuticals, herbal medicine. For example, in traditional medicine, all parts of the plant are used to create eye drops and tinctures.
In cooking, saffron seasoning is used as a fragrant coloring spice during the preparation of dishes and drinks. It has an exquisite taste that complements most recipes. Often coffee and teas are made from it. Widespread use of saffron in folk medicine for the treatment of diseases is known.
Cooking
Due to its rich taste and coloring property, the seasoning is used in culinary business. It is used for cooking dishes from meat, vegetables, soups, rice. It is included in sauces and gravies.
Spice is also used in the manufacture of confectionery products - pastry, buns, sherbets, pies, custards. In the East, tea and coffee are prepared from saffron. As a dye, it is added to butter, liquor, compotes and cheeses.
Cosmetology
Seasoning is also used in this area. It is used to prepare skin and hair care products. The spice is included in branded creams, balms, nourishing masks, gels and shampoos. Masks based on saffron have a positive effect on the skin. There are several popular recipes:
- You need 10 purple crocus stigmas and 2 tsp water. It is necessary to prepare a gruel, apply on the face for 20 minutes. The mask nourishes the skin, improves its color.
- Crushed spice is mixed with red wine (1 tsp each) and honey. Rose oil is added (2-3 drops), after which the components are mixed. The mask is applied for 20 minutes. After the procedures, the skin becomes elastic and toned.
- Requires chopped spice, honey, sour cream (1 tsp each). After mixing can be applied for 20minutes, then apply moisturizer. The mask helps to refresh the skin and smooth wrinkles.
- You will need warm milk (20 ml), to which chopped spice (2 tablespoons) is added. After half an hour, you can apply for 20 minutes. The tool has a nourishing effect, in addition, it saturates with valuable components.
Decoction
Due to its medicinal properties, saffron is used in the preparation of a decoction. You will need 3 stigmas and hot water (200 ml). You need to cover the container with a lid, and let the broth infuse for 30 minutes. Then it is divided into 4 doses and consumed half an hour before meals.
This remedy is effective for hypertension, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, cough, flu, worms. Saffron is used in oncology, so it is used as an addition to drug therapy. The components present in the spice have an antitumor effect. With them, there will be no spread of cancer cells, and inflammation is also removed. But the harm of saffron in diabetes and some other ailments is known.
To increase potency
There is a special remedy for this: saffron (4 veins), fresh ginger (25 g), black pepper (4 pcs.), Black tea (1 tsp), water (1 cup). The spices must be ground.
Water is poured into the mixture. The agent is placed in a water bath. Bring to a boil and then strain. The decoction is an aphrodisiac. It is advisable to drink it hot after preparation.
Menstrual irregularities
How to take saffron in this case? It will take 5-6 hairs to be eatenraw, washed down with water. Dry it is crushed into powder, poured with tea or water with honey. This procedure can be performed 3 times a day for a week.
Thrush
For the treatment of the disease, 5 threads of saffron and boron uterus grass (1 tsp) are required. Raw materials must be crushed and placed in an enamel bowl. Then hot water is poured (0.5 liters). Infusion is performed for 10-15 minutes. Use the remedy should be ½ cup on an empty stomach.
Internal bleeding
This ailment is also treated with seasoning. You will need 6 hairs, turmeric (1/2 tsp) and milk (1 cup). The liquid must be put on fire and brought to a boil. Grind the rest of the ingredients and pour milk. After mixing, you can drink. The duration of treatment is a week.
Cold
You will need saffron powder (1 tablespoon) and boiling water (1 cup). Infusion is performed for 2 hours. After straining, you can use 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
Eye diseases
You need 5 spice hairs, which are ground into powder. Then rose water (1 tsp) is added. Gruel should be treated with eyes 1 time per day, and then washed with water. The recipe will help in case of barley, cataracts, inflammations.
Kidney disease
Natural honey (100 g) is heated in a water bath for 5 minutes, and then crushed saffron (50 threads) is added. The product is placed in the refrigerator and consumed in 1 tsp. on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.
Treatment for leg cramps
Raw eggs will help get rid of this disease(3 pcs.). It is necessary to separate the whites from the yolks. It is necessary to mix 2 hairs and proteins. A napkin is blotted with a mass and applied as a compress to the forehead. And after 20 minutes they clean it.
Cystitis
You need 3 hairs, which are crushed and poured with boiled water (1 cup). In the infusion, add fruit drinks (1 cup). Consume ½ cup 3 times a day before meals.
Treatment of diseases of the liver and circulatory system
To prepare a remedy, you need 3 spice hairs, raisins (10 pcs.) And water (250 ml). Crush to knead the spice and raisins. Then water is poured and brought to a boil using a water bath. The mixture must be put into water, mixed and covered with a lid. Infusion is performed for 8 hours, and you need to take ½ cup 2 times a day.
Festering
You will need spice (2 tablespoons), which is poured with boiling water (300 ml). Everything is boiled in a water bath for half an hour. After 10 minutes, you can strain. Purulent wounds and abscesses are treated with a ready-made remedy. If there are acne, boils and suppuration, it is necessary to dip the decoctions of gauze and apply to problem areas.
Conjunctivitis
You will need saffron, calendula, cornflower, snapdragon. Components are required to take 1 tsp. Water (200 ml) is poured into the collection. You need to use 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day.
Urethritis and cystitis
Requires daisy, cornflower and saffron flowers (in the same amount). Collection (1 tablespoon) is poured with boiling water (300 ml). Infusion is performed for 15 minutes. You should use 1 tbsp. l. 7-8once a day.
Bruises
In this case, a special recipe is useful: a slurry is prepared from the stigmas and applied to the damaged areas for 30 minutes. Procedures should be carried out 2-3 times a day. A folk remedy is considered anti-inflammatory, regenerating, analgesic. It is also used for hemorrhoids and mastopathy.
For headaches and insomnia
You need to grind 3 hairs to a powder. Coconut oil (4 drops) is added to the mixture. A homogeneous mass is applied to the wings of the nose. The rest of the mixture must be inhaled and exhaled using the inhalation method.
When not to use?
Although the product is of great value, there are contraindications for saffron. This spice is concentrated and toxic. In a small amount, it has a positive effect on the body, but in excess of the norm leads to side effects - vomiting and intestinal disorders. It should not be taken at:
- pregnancy and lactation;
- children under 2;
- hypertension;
- pathology of the heart and blood vessels;
- diabetes;
- intolerance.
You can use seasoning no more than 1.5-2 g at a time. Increasing the rate is harmful to he alth. It is possible that this may lead to hospitalization. It is important to follow the dosages in the recipes in the treatment of a particular ailment. Externally, the spice should not be used for allergies.
Choice
This product is presented as dried purple crocus stamens. On the foreign market, the spice is sold in the form of whole stigmas andpowder. Often there is a fake. In its preparation, calendula flowers are used, which, when crushed, are similar to saffron. Some manufacturers offer turmeric instead of the product.
It is important to choose the right spice. It is advisable to purchase it in the form of whole hairs. In this situation, high cost is associated with authenticity and quality. The natural ground spice has a bitter spicy smell. And the color should be red-brown. When buying, you need to pay attention to the manufacturer and packaging. It is important that it be opaque and airtight. The weight is no more than 1-5 g, and the fake weighs 20-40 g.
The spice is produced in Iran, Italy, Greece, Azerbaijan, India. It must be stored in an airtight container, away from sunlight and moisture. The temperature should be +20 degrees. Proper storage will keep the value of the product for up to two years.
