Saffron The Natural Mood Enhancer
Costly and highly valued in the Middle East, Asia and India since ancient times, saffron is well-known for its healing properties.
It is expensive because it’s available in minuscule quantities. Saffron is derived from the crocus flower (one of the hardiest flowers on Earth!) but only the flower’s tiny yellow pistils are of medicinal value.
Saffron is vitamin (it contains vitamin A and C, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid) and mineral-rich (copper, selenium, zinc, potassium, calcium, manganese, magnesium and iron) and recognized as excellent anti-depressant, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, immune system booster and even cancer fighter.
Some sources credit saffron with the ability to combat symptoms of PMS, aid weight loss, delay aging, even improve such conditions as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Since humanity has a long record of wishful thinking, I wouldn’t put too much stock in any claim that comes close to saying that one remedy can fix EVERYTHING. There is no such a substance, at least not yet.
With that said, saffron has an excellent record as a natural mood enhancer. Nations who use saffron as a spice for thousands of years say of a particularly joyous woman that she had too much saffron….
How to use saffron? There are three ways: make a fine tea and sip it. Use it as a spice while cooking rice or baking. Finally, make a strong saffron tea and then use it as a spice in cooking.
Bottom line: saffron is effective as a natural mood enhancer, natural mood lifter and even as a natural anti-depressant.
Side effects? If any, are good for you. The only people advised against the use of saffron are pregnant women. Excessive consumption of saffron may cause a miscarriage.
Photo by Arseny Togulev on Unsplash
