Saffron Uses - Kashmir Kesar Kingdom

Uses And Benefits Of Saffron

Saffron-The Magical herb or The golden crop has occupied a special place in the culture and tradition of people. This exotic herb is famous for its medicinal, Coloring and flavoring properties. Valued all over the world, specially by culinary and medical experts. Saffron has a number of uses. Saffron is very popular as a spice in all international cuisines. It is an indispensable ingredient in most Mughlai dishes and erstwhile Mughlai chefs used this herb liberally in rich concoctions they prepared for the royal table. In India, to serve dishes decorated with saffron is regarded as a mark of honor to the guest. On account of its Coloring and aromatic properties, saffron is mostly used as a food additive in culinary, bakery and confectionary preparations.

“From olden days the upper class of the society used to dye their clothes in saffron because of its natural intimate fragrance after dye. The saffron dyed clothes would last hundreds of years, as can be seen in the museums where wardrobes of ancient kings and queens are kept alive, because saffron dye does not allow the insecticides to cause their effect on the clothes.

Saffron is highly used by royal Arabs in the form of perfumes and attars. Evidence of different kinds assures that saffron is an irreplaceable ingredient in the Hispanic-Arabic cooking. Preparation of saffron blended tea is an old age tradition in royal Arab kitchens. Saffron is thought to clear skin, even acne, and is usually applied in the form of mask. Traditionally it is used by high born Indian women to impart golden hue to the skin.

Saffron is supposed to be lust provoking and is often added in love sachets. The Roman aristocracy perfumed their homes and baths with it. Saffron stigmas has been used as a flavoring base and coloring agent in both food and drinks in Mediterranean, Asian cuisines. It has been in use in the preparation of sweet dishes in many Indian, Pakistani and central Asian countries. It is also used as a color and flavoring base in the preparation of ice creams, cakes, drinks and various Ayurvedic health products and in famous saffron blended Indian wines.

Saffron has many benefits and one of the ways to incorporate it in your diet is by taking Saffron Milk which can be made by dissolving one small pinch of saffron dissolved in a glass of 200 ml milk. You may add honey or sugar for taste if required. Saffron is used as a key ingredient in the manufacture of flavored chewing tobacco ( zaffrani zarda) mainly used in India and also exported to various countries. In India saffron is mainly used to prepare an oil based perfume (zaffrani attar) which is a blend of saffron and sandalwood. Saffron mix attar is highly exported to Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations.

Since centuries, saffron had several religious uses. Even today Indian women while offering prayer, receive a paste of saffron on their foreheads (Tikka) as a symbol of blessings and good luck. Also in India, saffron is offered as a sacrifice in many temples. Certain holy texts have been known to be written with saffron ink.

Medical Uses And Benefits Of Saffron

Though there are unlimited and countless medicinal benefits of saffron, we do hereby focus on a few of them.

It is a natural antibiotic. It keeps the blood pressure under control and supplements the heart in cleansing the blood. The diseases caused by cold viruses don’t have any effect on saffron consumers. Saffron consumption is most useful in enhancing the vitality of men, they can enjoy the marital resources up to the age of 80 years. Besides, the application of saffron on the forehead is known to be causing neurological benefits. It fights forgetfulness especially in old age.

Among women, the blood loss caused due to their periods is controlled by saffron consumption. During pregnancies the saffron has a magical effect on both mother and the inborn. It keeps their body temperature normal, the blood supply to the inborn is very rich resulting in the birth of a healthy child. In Indian tradition, these pregnant women even drank saffron infused in milk in the hopes that their unborn infants would acquire golden complexion.

American researchers have found that true saffron offers several beneficial uses due to the many active compounds in it. It can be used to fight against depression, asthma, insomnia and whooping cough etc. The health benefits of saffron are seen when taken in moderate quantities and in the right dosage. Herbalists claim that best saffron possesses anti-cancer activity, but these claims are yet to be evaluated critically by medical experts. However, certain compounds and saffron have positive effects in lowering blood cholesterol and triglycerides among heart patients. In ancient cultures, saffron was and even today used to relieve stomach aches and kidney stones.

Saffron finds many uses in Ayurveda, Unani, Chinese and Tibetan medicine. It is popularly known as a stimulant, warm and dry in action, helping in urinary, digestive and uterine troubles. In Ayurveda, saffron is used to cure chronic diseases such as asthma and arthritis. It is also useful in treating cold and cough. Ayurvedic medicines containing saffron are used to treat acne and several skin diseases. It is largely used as an indigenous medicine across India. Saffron enjoys a great reputation as a drug which strengthens the functioning of stomach and promotes its action. It also counteracts spasmodic disorders and sustains involuntary muscle contraction. Saffron is also beneficial in the treatment of fevers and enlargement of the liver and spleen. It is used in medicines that reduce inflammation. A combination of saffron and ghee is used to treat diabetes. Saffron also merits usage as a strengthening agent for the heart and as a cooling agent for the brain. It has also been found beneficial in the treatment of urinary problems.

In India, it is said that one who has not eaten the saffron applied dish, has eaten nothing in the world. It is gently sprinkled over the dishes prepared. It increases the flavor and fragrance of the dishes. Saffron blend tea is known to cause wonders for people having cold.

(Medical Disclaimer: The information and reference guides in this website are nothing but solely for the general information for the reader. It is not to be tested to diagnose health problems or for general treatment purposes. It is not a substitute for medical care provided by a licensed and qualified health professional or medical practitioner. Please consult your health care provider for any advice on medications)

The Kashmir Kesar Kingdom has been engaged in saffron farming and trading since the last 200 hundred years.

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