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Ayurvedic View By
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MD (Pharmacology), MBBS
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Saffron (Kesar)

Saffron
Saffron (Crocus sativus) is an herb that is widely cultivated in India and other parts of the world. The flower of Saffron contains a thread like red-colored stigma which is dried and used commercially as a spice for its powerful odor and also for Ayurvedic preparations.
Saffron helps relieve cough and asthma when taken along with honey. It is also beneficial in managing the problems of the reproductive system, such as, erectile dysfunction in men and menstrual pain in women.
Taking Saffron with milk relaxes the nervous system which helps reduce anxiety and prevents insomnia.
Saffron is also useful in skin problems as it protects against sun damage. Adding a few drops of Saffron oil to your daily-use cream might help prevent pigmentation and promote skin whitening[1][2][8][9][14][16-18][22].

What are the synonyms of Saffron (Kesar)?

Crocus sativus, Kesar, Zaffran, Kashmirajaman, Kunkuma, Kashmiram, Avarakta

What is the source of Saffron (Kesar)?

Plant Based

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Saffron tea?

scientific
Modern Science View
Saffron tea is nothing but infusion of saffron strands in water. Few strands of Saffron are added to water, boiled and the resulting solution is used as an infusion or tea. Usually 1 ml of saffron water is mixed with 80 ml of water to make Saffron tea[1]. You can also add saffron infusion to other types of teas like green tea, Kahwa tea or masala tea.

Q. How to store Saffron?

scientific
Modern Science View
The best way to store Saffron is to place it in an airtight container and store in a cool, dark place, preferably at room temperature. Avoid storing it in refrigerator as it tends to absorb moisture when taken out and kept at room conditions for use.

Q. How to make Saffron (kesar) milk?

scientific
Modern Science View
Kesar doodh can be made at home in a simple way. All you need to have is milk, sugar, cardamom and a strand or two of Saffron. Boil milk and add sugar, cardamom powder and kesar to the milk and allow it to boil for few minutes. Pour it in a glass and drink when lukewarm.
ayurvedic
Ayurvedic View
Do not boil saffron (kesar)with milk as it will lose some precious volatile oils.

Q. What are common brands of Saffron in India?

scientific
Modern Science View
The common Indian brands that sell saffron are Patanjali kesar, Lion brand saffron, Baby brand saffron, etc.

Q. How long does Saffron last?

scientific
Modern Science View
Saffron can last long if stored properly in an airtight container and under preferable conditions. However, saffron powder can last for upto six months whereas saffron threads can last for up to three to five years.

Q. What is the price of Saffron in India?

scientific
Modern Science View
The price of Saffron per gram in India can range anywhere between Rs 250 - Rs 300 based on the brands and the extent of purity.

References

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  2. Golmohammadzadeh S, Jaafari MR, Hosseinzadeh H.Does saffron have antisolar and moisturizing effects?Iran J Pharm Res.2010;9(2):133-140.
  3. Khorasany AR, Hosseinzadeh H.Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L.) in digestive disorders: a review.Iran J Basic Med Sci.2016;19(5):455-469.
  4. Khazdair MR, Boskabady MH, Hosseini M, Rezaee R, M. Tsatsakis A.The effects of Crocus sativus (saffron) and its constituents on nervous system: A review. Avicenna J Phytomed.2015;5(5):376-391.
  5. Hosseinzadeh H.Saffron: A herbal medicine of third millennium.Jundishapur J Nat Pharm Prod.2014;9(1):1-2.
  6. Moshiri M, Vahabzadeh M, Hosseinzadeh H.Clinical applications of saffron (Crocus sativus) and its constituents: a review.Drug Res (Stuttg).2015;65(6):287-95.
  7. Hosseinzadeh H, Ziaee T, Sadeghi A.The effect of saffron,Crocus sativus stigma, extract and its constituents, safranal and crocin on sexual behaviors in normal male rats.Phytomedicine.2008;15(6-7):491-5.
  8. Lopresti AL, Drummond PD.Saffron (Crocus sativus) for depression: A systematic review of clinical studies and examination of underlying antidepressant mechanisms of action.Hum Psychopharmacol.2014;29(6):517-27.
  9. Shafiee M, Arekhi S, Omranzadeh A, et al.Saffron in the treatment of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders: Current evidence and potential mechanisms of action.J Affect Disord.2018;227:330-337.
  10. Bostan HB, Mehri S, Hosseinzadeh H.Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review.Iran J Basic Med Sci.2017;20(2):110-121.
  11. Razi ABM.Comprehensive Book of Medicine.Osmania Oriental Publications Bureau;1968.
  12. WebMd.Saffron:Uses, Side effects, Interactions, Dosage [Internet]. Atlanta [last updated in 2016].
  13. Akhondzadeh S, Sabet MS, Harirchian MH, et al.Saffron in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a 16-week, randomized and placebo-controlled trial.J Clin Pharm Ther.2010;35(5):581-8.
  14. Javadi B, Sahebkar A, Emami SA.A Survey on saffron in major Islamic traditional medicine books.Iran J Basic Med Sci. 2013; 16(1):1–11.
  15. Agha-Hosseini M, Kashani L, Aleyaseen A, et al.Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial.BJOG.2008;115(4):515-9.
  16. Asadi MH, Zafari F, Sarveazad A.Saffron improves epididymal sperm parameters in rats exposed to cadmium.Nephrourol Mon.2014;6(1):e12125.
  17. Rezaee R, Hosseinzadeh H.Safranal: From an aromatic natural product to a rewarding pharmacological agent.Iran J Basic Med Sci.2013;16(1):12–26.
  18. Liu L, Liu C, Wang Y.Herbal medicine for anxiety, depression and insomnia.Curr Neuropharmacol.2015;13(4):481–493.
  19. Tavakkol-Afshari J, Brook A, Mousavi SH.Study of cytotoxic and apoptogenic properties of saffron extract in human cancer cell lines.Food and Chemical Toxicology.2008;46(11):3443-3447.
  20. Bhandari PR.Crocus sativus L. (saffron) for cancer chemoprevention: A mini review.J Tradit Complement Med. 2015;5(2):81–87.
  21. Kamalipour M, Akhondzadeh S.Cardiovascular effects of saffron: An evidence-based review.J Tehran Heart Cent. 2011;6(2):59–61.
  22. Mollazadeh H, Emami SA, Hosseinzadeh H.Razi’s Al-Hawi and saffron (Crocus sativus): A review.Iran J Basic Med Sci.2015; 18(12):1153–1166.
  23. Gohari AR, Saeidnia S, Mahmoodabadi MK.An overview on saffron, phytochemicals, and medicinal properties.Pharmacogn Rev.2013;7(13):61–66.
  24. Brown AC.Medical nutrition therapy as a potential complementary treatment for psoriasis – Five case reports.Altern Med Rev.2004;9(3):297-307.
  25. Lashay A, Sadough G, Ashrafi E.Short-term outcomes of saffron supplementation in patients with age-related macular degeneration: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial.Med Hypothesis Discov Innov Ophthalmol.2016;5(1):32–38.
  26. Kaushik DG, Yadav R.Alopecia: Herbal remedies.IJPSR.2017;2(7).1631-37.
  27. Yimam M, Jiao P, Hong M, Brownell L, Lee YC, Hyun EJ, Kim HJ, Kim TW, Nam JB, Kim MR, Jia Q. Evaluation of Natural Product Compositions for Appetite Suppression. J Diet Suppl. 2019;16(1):86-104.
  28. Boskabady MH, Farkhondeh T. Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, and Immunomodulatory Effects of Crocus sativus L. and its Main Constituents. Phytother Res. 2016 Jul;30(7):1072-94.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.

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