|Uses in Medicine
Saffron gets mention even in the oldest Ayurvedic treatises like Charaka Samhita
& Sushruta Samhita (approx. 500 B.C). It is an important ingredient of many medical recipes. Mentioned as Kumkum or Kesar it is also attributed
several synonyms like Kashmiran, Bahleeka, Rudhira and Sankocha. Singh and Chunckar (1972) records its mentioned in Ayurvedic texts as below:
Saffron is as important ingredient of large number of Ayurvedic medicines. On account
of its strong antipoisonous, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, stimulant, lactogogue, livotonic, nervine
tonic, sedative and styptic properties it is highly valued in Ayurveda. It is considered an ideal Tridoshhara and a drug of immense efficacy in
disorders of children of unknown actiology. It is used in acne, apoplexy, arthritis, asthma, colic, cough dyspepsia, hemierania, insect bites and
stings, liver disorders, mental disorders, neurasthenia, oedema, painful menstruation, phthisis, prolapse of anus, sore throat and splenic disorders.
It is attributed with extraordinary properties for improving weak eyesight and highly valued as a complexion builder (Chopra et al., 1956: Kirukar & Basu, 1935).
per Ayurvedic Nighantus saffron is Snigdha, Laghu in Guna, Tikta in Rasa,
Katu in Vipaka, Ushna in Virya and Tridoshhara.
properties of saffron are mentioned in sanskrit:
is bitter, greasy and it cures head ailments and heals wounds. It is pungent,
stops vomiting and gives brightness to the body as well as cures the three
is bitter, pungent and heaty. It stops phlegm and cures gastric problems.
It heals wounds, eye and head ailments. It serves as an anti-venom. It
also gives brightness to the body.
Some of the Ayurvedic recipes containing Saffron as an important ingredient
(Sharma, 1956; Sastri, 1954; Sastri, 1969; Gupta, 1970; Shastri & Chaturvedi, 1909).
Amritadya taila - (C.S.CI.28/160) Useful in mental disorders
Balataila- (C.S.CI.28/152) Useful in asthma, cough, fever, vomiting, epilepsy and splenic enlargement.
Chandrodaya Agada - (A.H.U.35/25) Used as antidote.
Dwiharidraditailam- (Bhai. Rat. 60/107) Useful in acne.
Khadiraditaila- (A.H.U. 22/84) Useful in mouth diseases.
Kumkumaditaila- (A.H.U. 32/27) Useful in premature grey hair and acne.
Kumkumadi agada - S.S.Ka 8/49) Useful in insect bites.
Kumkum- (S.S.U. 58/31) Useful in obstructed micturition.
Kumkum- (A.H.Su 3/15, 20) Useful in cold.
Kumkum- (A.H.Ci. 1/37) Useful in fever.
Kumkum- (S.S.Ci 4/24) Useful in vatavyadhi.
Kumkum- (S.S.Ka. 7/33) Useful in rat bite.
Kumkum Varti - (S.S.U. 12/13) Useful in conjunctivitis.
Kumkum- (A.II.Ci. 7/18) Useful in alcoholism.
Kumkumadighrital- (Bhai. Rat. 14/282) Useful in cough, asthma, pthisis, pulmonary tuberculosis, haemorrhagic diseases.
Kumkumadighritam- (Bhai. Rat. 60/103) Useful in acne, all types of skin diseases.
Kumkumaditailam- (Bhai. Rat. 60/115) Useful in pimples.
Mutrakrichhanashak Yoga - (C.S.Ci. 26/51) Useful in dysuria, stranguary, painful micturition.
Trimiradinashak Yoga - (A.H.U. 13/23) Useful in pterygium, cataract, skin diseases.
is considered hot and dry, reported to reduce inflammation and used as
stimulant and stomachic. It is considered a good remedy for enlargement
of liver and infection of urinary bladder and kidneys. Administered in
high doses it makes patient unconscious. It is an ingredient of recipes
useful in menstrual disorders. It strengthens the heart and is a refrigerant
for the brain. If soaked overnight in water and administered with honey
it acts as diuretic. Pounded with ghee it is used in diabetes. Saffron
oil is used for external application in uterine sores. Remanent water after
extracting oil from it is also used as medicine (Singh. 1949).
use of Saffron in Western countries for medicinal purposes is in record
from the sixteenth century. The Ebers Papyrus (Ca. 1550 B.C) has mentioned
it as an ingredient in case of kidney problems (Baumann.1960). Dioscorides
of Anazarb attributed magical medicinal properties to Saffron if worn as
an amulet. Pliny (1st century) ascribed general panacean properties to
it when taken internally. In the centuries to follow it was recommended
as an addition to meals to give cheering cardiac medicament effect. In
regulated doses, it is said to increase appetite and to ease headaches
and hangovers. In recent decades, it has been recognised as a valuable
remedy for catarrhal infections, useful in otitis, melancholia, enlargement
of liver and spleen, as a nerve sedative, carminative, diaphortic and emmenagogue.
In regulated doses, it can be used as a safe abortifacient but in higher
doses it may be fatal as well. As a drug it is considered astringent,
stimulant of metabolism, refrigerant, diuretic, antihusteric, stomachic,
antiseptic and spasmodic. Saffron corms have however, very toxic effect
when eaten by young animals (Basker & Negbi, 1983).
has been found to be the richest source of riboflavin (100 y/gm). In studies
with albino rats it has been observed that 150 mg. Saffron acts at par
with a dose of 40 mg pure synthetic riboflavin. Due to presence of crocetin
it indirectly helps to reduce cholesterol level in the blood and severity
of atherosclerosis, thus reducing the chances of heart attacks. It may
be one of the prime reasons that in Spain, where Saffron is consumed liberally,
incidence of cardio-vascular diseases is quite low. The crocetin present
in saffron is found to increase the yield of antibiotics (Basker and Negbi,
1983). Two compunds of safranal viz., 3,5,5 trimethyl 2hydroxy-1, 4-cyclohesadion-2-ene
and 2,4,4-trimethyl 1 3-formyl-6-hydroxy 2,5cyclohexadion-1ene are supposed
to increase antibacterial and antiviral physiological activity in the body
(Zarghami & Heinz, 1971). In the United States of America it is sometimes
given to young children in exanthematous diseases for promoting eruptions
(Bontlay & Trumen, 1880). A detailed compilation by Harwell (1969).
based on Urdang’s reports and records of ancient and medieval periods etc.,
indicates antitumour and anticancerous activities in Saffron.
Saffron is a potent spice. Excessive intake can be harmful. The dosage of saffron varies according to many conditions like climate (whether hot or cold), the health and age of the individual, the manner in which the dosage is taken etc.
Saffron should be taken for medical reasons always under proper medical advice.
|Excerpts from a herbal medical cyclopaedia in sanskrit:
|Saffron perfume is pungent, cures phlegm and throat ailments and stops vomiting. It stops shooting pain. Saffron gives a healthy glow and brightness to the body.
The saffron of Kashmir has an exquisite lotus-like fragrance and is of a high quality.
The saffron of Punjab has a yellow-white colour and an exquisite fragrance like that of the ketaki flower.
The Persian saffron smells like honey, has a slight yellow-white hue and is considered to be a fatty saffron.
Diseases such as leprosy, head ailments, insectbites are all cured by saffron which also unifies the three body humours.
Bile, phlegm and poisonous bites can all be cured by saffron.