Saffron
Crocus sativus
The reddish-orange medicine, saffron has fallen out of favor as a curative due to its price. It is still popular as a culinary herb, however, because a little goes a long way: Just a pinch of saffron lends a distinctive flavor and color to rice dishes, pastries and soups. Indeed, adding saffron to your diet may be well worth the cost. stigmas of a special variety of crocus are the source of saffron. Although saffron originated in Arabia, the plant was brought to Spain in the eighth century, and today that country is the major exporter of the spice.Saffron is costly-selling for as much as $50 an ounce- because approximately 200,000 dried stigmas from about 70,000 flowers are needed to produce just one pound. Although it has a long history of use in natural. One medical study suggests that the low rate of heart disease in Spain is due partly to the liberal use of saffron in Spanish cooking.
SAFFRON SALVE FOR GOUT SYMPTOMS
Rubbing a salve made from saffron into achy joints is an old folk remedy for gout. Because of saffron’s high price, it is unlikely that you will find it ready-made in health-food stores. You can make your own, however, by blending a few threads of saffron into petroleum jelly. Spread a thin layer of the salve on the affected areas in the morning and evening. Use the salve until the joint pain abates.
SAFFRON
Crocus sativus
Therapeutic Effect: Therapeutic Effect: Saffron alleviates fatigue and exhaustion, primarily because it works to strengthen the beart and nervous system. It alds digestion, by increasing appetite and gastric juice production. When added to some homeopathic preparations, it also relieves nosebleeds.
🙤 Components
Saffron contains the carotenoids crocin and crocetin, which are responsible for the reddish-orange color of the stigmas. The stigmas also contain the aromatic essential oil safranal. Other constituents of saffron are cineol and pinene, as well as the substance picrocrocin (saffron bitters). Saffron is also high in thiamin and riboflavin.
🙤 Saffron Milk
Saffron milk is a flavorful, soothing drink that can be helpful in relieving cardiac problems. To make it, bring 1 cup of milk just to a boil; add a pinch of saffron. Reduce the heat and simmer the mixture for 2 minutes. Sweeten it with honey to taste and drink it once a day.
Extra Tip
Rubbing your gums with saffron is a herbal remedy that reduce soreness and inflammation. Crush a few thread of saffron into powder Use your index finger to massage it gently into your gums. You can mix the saffron with honey, if you wish.
✽ Saffron Tincture ✽
Use this tincture to improve your mood and to eliminate any mental blocks.
Pinch of saffron threads
31/2 oz. 100-proof alcohol
Put both ingredients into a covered glass jar. Steep for 14 days. Transfer some to a bottle with a dropper, and store the rest in a cool, dark place. Place 10-20 drops on the tongue as needed to elevate mood.
✽ Saffron Ginger Tonic ✽
This tonic can be used for appetite loss, a too-full feeling and digestive problems.
Pinch of saffron threads
14 oz. gingerroot, finely chopped
1 pint 100-proof alcohol
1. Crush the spices with a mortar and pestle.
2. Place the spices and alcohol in a covered glass container. Let the mixture steep for 14 days in a cool, dark place.
3. Pour it into a pan and heat briefly; strain. Take 1 tbsp. of the tonic before meals.
✽ Saffron for Sluggishness ✽
♦ Saffron oil is helpful for general fatigue. To make the tincture, add a few threads of saffron to 1 cup of vegetable oil. Take 2 drops in water 4 times a day.
Kitchen Hint
♦ Be careful when buying saffron, because it is sometimes adulterated with other spices. True saffron is expensive and has a deep-orange to brownish-red color. The redder the strands, the better the quality. Yellow saffron add it to the dish. ; has no curative properties.
♦ Choose whole saffron threads over powdered saffron because the threads have a better flavor.
♦ Store saffron in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
♦ Store saffron in an airtight saffron may make you feel container in a cool, dark place.
♦ Don’t add saffron thread directly to foods- the flavour better distributed when the is first allowed to soften in warm water. Wait until the takes on a yellow color an add it to the dish.
♦ Use saffron sparingly in recipes, because adding much can produce a bitte In addition, a large dose c saffron may make you fee and more than 1/3 oz. can be fatal.
Extra Tip
Eating a lot of garlic can give you bad breath and body odor because the essential oils are excreted through the respiratory system and skin. To lessen this effect, chew parsley, thyme or peppermint immediately after eating garlic.