Originating in the Orient, saffron is one of the medicinal plants whose virtues have spanned the centuries. Antioxidant, aphrodisiac, antidepressant... saffron's many benefits have been famous since it was discovered over 3,500 years ago. Often used in cooking for its spicy flavour, it can also be found in a bottle as a liquid extract, consumed as a dietary supplement in the form of powdered stigmas, or enjoyed as an infusion. Here are the properties and benefits of saffron!
A natural antidepressant:
Saffron naturally contains anxiolytic substances, in particular safranal, making it a highly effective antidepressant. Used for centuries to combat mood swings and depression, it has the considerable advantage of having no side effects, unlike drugs. Even today, scientific studies prove that saffron is just as effective as chemical antidepressants such as fluoxetine, imipramine or Prozac. In practice, the safranal contained in saffron acts both on serotonin, the sleep hormone, and on noradopamine and dopamine, which are linked to pleasure. In this way, it helps to restore emotional balance. As well as being an antidepressant, it also improves sleep quality and is a natural aphrodisiac.
An aphrodisiac spice:
For thousands of years, saffron has been used to combat erectile dysfunction and boost libido in both men and women. In Greek mythology, Zeus himself used the magical spice saffron as a sexual stimulant! Traditional Indian medicine also recommends it as an aphrodisiac. Saffron is even said to help counteract some of the negative effects of antidepressant drugs in this area. Indeed, these are still reputed to reduce sexual desire in many patients.
A remedy for sleep disorders:
As mentioned above, safranal acts on serotonin, the sleep hormone. A Spanish-Belgian study conducted in 2021, entitled "Effects of saffron on sleep quality", analysed this property by giving 66 subjects either a placebo or saffron in the form of food supplements containing 15.5 mg per day for 6 weeks. The results showed that people taking saffron found it easier to fall asleep, spent more time in bed and had a better quality of sleep.
A stimulant for the digestive system:
Saffron's benefits also include stimulating the digestive system. It is also thought to help reduce appetite and thus restore a feeling of satiety. Because of its antidepressant action and its ability to regulate the feeling of hunger, saffron is one of the most effective ingredients in a diet. Saffron naturally stimulates the liver and stomach, but also has a very positive impact on cholesterol. Its active ingredients clean the arteries and reduce triglyceride and lipoprotein levels in the blood. In fact, it improves blood circulation and the digestive process, and helps prevent snacking.
A powerful anti-inflammatory:
Saffron is also famous for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to reduce joint pain and all forms of recurrent and/or intense inflammation. For children, it soothes teething pain in the gums, while for women, it eases menstrual pain. Saffron has emmenagogic properties, which help to regulate menstruation by stimulating blood flow in the uterus. Many traditional medicines also recommend saffron for calming the problems associated with premenstrual syndrome: fatigue, irritability, headaches, breast tenderness, lower abdominal pain and depressed mood.
Benefits for memory and neuroprotection:
Saffron has numerous beneficial effects on the entire central nervous system and neurons, which it protects. Thanks to its high concentration of antioxidants, it protects against memory problems and boosts learning capacity. In particular, safranal helps to repair the potential damage caused by oxidants in the hippocampus, which is why saffron has been the subject of several studies into the prevention of senile dementia and the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It is also used to treat AMD (Age-related Macular Degeneration). This chronic disease affects central vision as a result of reduced blood flow to the retina. The crocin present in saffron helps to combat this very phenomenon, as it increases blood flow to this part of the eye, helping to regenerate retinal function. Saffron's protective action on the nervous system could also be used to treat multiple sclerosis. While this avenue is still under study, the initial results seem conclusive.
Ecosystem Laboratoire's well-being range includes a liquid Saffron Extract with a patented manufacturing process! This extract allows you to take advantage of the benefits of saffron by incorporating it, for example, into many culinary preparations or drinks! On our Youtube channel, you'll find lots of recipe ideas using our products, including several using our Saffron Extract. To find them: access the recipes!
