Today, saffron is known as a versatile plant that is used all over the world. But to know its properties and types, before buying saffron and consuming it, it is better to get to know the anatomy of this colorful plant and know it from zero to one hundred.
To know saffron and its properties, it is good to check its appearance first. With a superficial look, you can understand that the red stigmas of saffron flower are located among its purple petals, and if your hand touches it, its fragrance will remain for several days.
What is saffron and how does it grow
Saffron is a plant that grows through saffron bulbs. The onion of this plant has a brown covering that protects it. After the onion of this plant is planted, it starts growing and creates a stem (crown) at the end of which a bud is created.
After flowering, you end up with a purple flower with 6 beautiful petals protecting 3 red stigmas. These three red stigmas are the delicious substance that is prepared with great effort.
What compounds does saffron have?
- Dyeing power of crocin
- Safranal fragrance power
- The flavoring power of picrosin
- How to grow chives
Saffron has compounds that make this valuable plant different from other plants. The quality of saffron is measured through these compounds in the laboratory. The higher the percentage of these compounds, the higher the quality of saffron and thus has a great impact on the properties of saffron.
Types of original saffron
Unlike other spices, saffron has different types, in each type, the saffron threads are not the same, and this difference depends on the type of harvest, separation (filling) of saffron flower, the climate of the region and finally its quality.
We have listed the types of saffron from the highest quality to the lowest quality.
1- Super Nagin saffron: In Super Nagin saffron, the percentage of safranal and crocin is the highest, and it has a very high coloring and fragrance compared to other types of saffron.
2- Semi-precious saffron: The coloring of this type of saffron is much higher than other types of saffron, but it does not reach Super-precious saffron.
3- Negin saffron: In Negin saffron, there is no curling and bending of the saffron strands, and the branches are separate from each other and completely red.
4- Sargol saffron: There is no evidence of yellowness of saffron and whiteness of saffron (root) in Sargol saffron and it is the most widely used type of saffron.
5- Pushal saffron: Pushal saffron is a saffron that has red stigmas, along with some cream (root).
6- Bunch saffron: In this type of saffron, the saffron stigmas are dried in such a way that they are arranged together.
7- Saffron root: The white part of saffron that is at the end of the saffron stigma is called saffron root.
Other saffron products include saffron petals, saffron yolk.
The most important properties of saffron
Before we want to find out about the properties of saffron, it is good to tell you in the form of a list what saffron is useful for:
- Anti-depressant
- pain relief
- hair loss prevention
- Improve respiratory health
- Improve heart health
- Improve mental health
- Improve skin health
- Strengthening the digestive system
- Intelligence
But in short, we have explanations for each of these properties that can change your perspective on saffron.
1- Treating depression and increasing happiness
One of the most important factors that have been effective in the treatment of depression are certain hormones that are responsible for nerve control operations. These hormones are called dopamine and serotonin. With a comprehensive research, scientists came to the conclusion that saffron is able to positively control these two hormones and helps a depressed person recover faster and taste happiness.
2- The property of increasing intelligence and memory power
Although it has been said that the intelligence of every human is largely related to the hereditary aspects and his experimental efforts, but the saffron plant has slightly changed this rule. It is said that certain minerals increase people’s intelligence. After the research that the researchers have done, they concluded that the following minerals are completely found in saffron.
- Manganese
- copper
- iron
- Selenium
- Roy
- magnesium
Of course, it should be noted that consuming too much of these substances does not increase intelligence too much, but causes poisoning. These substances also effectively help to increase memory power. In fact, these elements act as cofactors of enzyme reactions in the human body and lead to the improvement of metabolism and the functioning of body systems.
3- Adjusting the body clock and improving the sleep cycle
From our point of view, sleep is not an activity, but it can greatly affect our health. When the sleep clock is disturbed, it means that the body clock is disturbed and the disturbance of this clock causes the body parts to malfunction.
Although the cause of disturbed sleep can have various causes, but saffron can help to experience better and deeper sleep by influencing factors such as mental peace, adjusting the body clock, and refreshing the body.
4- Treatment of hair loss
If you have noticed, something has become famous in the science of medicine and botany, and that is that any plant that is in the form of an organ of the body is useful for that part of the body.
For example, if you cut a carrot crosswise, you will notice that it is similar to an eye, and according to research, it contains vitamin A and substances that help strengthen the eyes. This issue has been proven for different fruits.
If you look closely at saffron, you will notice that it is similar to hair. And it is proven that drinking as much as saffron tea or saffron milk helps to increase hair growth and strength.
5- Treatment of respiratory disorders and chronic coughs
One of the uses of saffron that has been applied to many people is the use of this tasty plant to treat lung and respiratory disorders and inflammations.
How saffron cures this problem is not the subject of our discussion, but you can help improve your lungs and lung bronchitis by preparing a drink containing tea and black seeds, cumin, cardamom, chamomile, fennel and licorice.
6- Using saffron for beauty
The use of saffron for beauty has many branches and branches! For example, it has been said that a pregnant mother will give birth to a beautiful child if she eats saffron in sufficient quantities in certain months when the risk of miscarriage is lower!
Also, by improving some diseases and disorders, saffron has an indirect effect on the freshness and freshness of the skin and its beauty.
But the consumption of saffron tea helps the skin to be refreshed and refreshed and its transparency is really noticeable. People who usually have glowing skin can find saffron in their diet.
In the end, it is good to know that skin lesions such as spots, freckles and freckles can also be removed in the long term with proper consumption of saffron!
7- Improvement of muscle pains
Saffron has a large amount of minerals that together help to better absorb calcium. Although saffron is a relaxing plant, the absorption of calcium by saffron helps the body to compensate for its damages and recover.
8- Reduction of heart and brain strokes
Saffron contains two important substances called potassium and crocin. These two help to heal the arteries and veins, respectively, thus preventing the clogging of arteries and stroke. Crocin also helps to regulate the level of blood cholesterol, and this issue has a positive effect on reducing heart attacks and clogging of arteries to a great extent. So consume saffron for a longer life.
9- Reducing the development and incidence of cancer
Although the consumption of saffron during a month has a special rule, but using this plant regularly helps to prevent cell mutations and cancer. Also, the growth of many cancerous tumors is stopped with saffron and the treatment process improves. By controlling the production of free radicals and on the other hand by strengthening the body’s immune system, cancer is automatically controlled and inhibited.
10- Preventing Alzheimer’s
As mentioned, saffron helps to improve memory. This issue especially helps to control or treat some diseases such as amnesia, Parkinson’s, mild Alzheimer’s and moderate Alzheimer’s. Therefore, to prevent the decline of intellect and mind in old age, be sure to include saffron in your food plans.
11- preventing digestive diseases
Gastrointestinal diseases usually occur as a result of changing the body’s mood and becoming cold. But the hot and dry nature of saffron helps to compensate for these colds and diseases such as liver enlargement, kidney damage and digestive diseases can be easily cured.
12- Preventing presbyopia and improving vision with saffron
According to research, people who eat saffron regularly have protection in the eyes that prevent the harmful effects of direct light. It also helps to improve eye diseases due to the presence of minerals and vitamin A. In addition, macular degeneration patients are able to regain their vision by consuming saffron and benefit from the blessing of seeing.
Other properties of saffron that you should know
Considering the mentioned properties, please do not miss the following list:
13- It is also effective for treating blood pressure and blood sugar.
14- Also, women who suffer from menstrual irregularities or have painful periods can recover by consuming saffron on time.
15- Diabetes can be controlled and prevented by consuming this plant.
16- Gout can be treated by this flower.
17- Saffron helps to improve men’s sex life.
18- People who suffer from cold stomach and abdominal pain can get rid of this condition by consuming saffron.
19- The body needs adjustment by consuming a lot of cold food, and saffron does this well.
20- A cold may manifest itself with hives, which saffron helps to treat.
21- Sleep disorder, urinary disorder and memory disorders can be resolved with the help of this colorful and fragrant plant.
22- This plant with warm and dry nature is the best detoxifier.
23- There is a simple treatment for MS and that is saffron treatment.
24- Saffron can be used to treat infertility.
25- It helps to improve metabolism and leads to increased metabolism and weight loss.
How to consume saffron and its limitations
Along with all the advantages that we have found from this flower, know a little about its consumption limits so that you don’t get surprised by its excessive consumption.
Saffron consumption should not be overdone because it can lead to poisoning and even death.
Excessive consumption (above 50 mg) will increase body heat and affect some internal glands such as the liver.
The use of this substance is recommended for pregnant women with special conditions.
Excessive consumption of this plant can cause miscarriage in the early months of pregnancy.