Medicinal value: Cultivated saffron (Crocus sativus L.) has long been recognized worldwide as one of the most expensive medicinal and spice plants. Due to its strong aroma and healing properties, it has been widely used in traditional medicine since ancient times for the treatment of the nervous system, heart, digestive organs, eyesight, and women’s health. The raw material of this plant is considered a natural sedative, immunity booster, circulatory, digestive, and vision enhancer, as well as an anti-inflammatory agent. Its composition includes safranal (a bioactive compound with a characteristic aroma and sedative properties), picrocrocin (a bioactive compound responsible for bitterness), carotenoids (crocin, crocetin – strong antioxidants), flavonoids, vitamins (vitamin C), and minerals (iron, manganese, potassium). Bioactive compounds in saffron play an important role in neutralizing free radicals, promoting cell renewal, and improving blood circulation.
Scientific name: Cultivated saffron (Crocus sativus L.), commonly known as “Za’faron,” “Shafran,” “Saffron.”
Raw material: The stigmas of the saffron flower – Stigma Croci.
Medicinal properties:
Calms the nervous system, reduces depression;
Improves sleep, relieves headaches;
Strengthens heart function;
Stimulates blood circulation and normalizes blood pressure;
Acts as a blood purifier and anti-inflammatory;
Regulates the menstrual cycle in women;
Improves vision and has a positive effect on eyesight;
Has antioxidant properties, cleansing the body from free radicals;
Strengthens the immune system and helps fight inflammatory diseases.
How to use:
Infuse the stigmas of the saffron flower as herbal tea;
Take as an infusion (in moderate amounts, it calms and restores physical and mental well-being);
Use in powdered form as a spice for food or as an enhancing component in medicines;
In modern pharmaceuticals, the plant extract is used in the form of dietary supplements (capsules) and medicinal products.
Note:
Since saffron products contain potent bioactive compounds, they should not be consumed in excess;
Pregnant women should use only with a doctor’s recommendation;
Not recommended for people with hypotension (low blood pressure), those prone to allergies, and children under 3 years old.
Author: Prof. B.Y. Tuxtayev, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Department of “Medicinal Plants,” Tashkent State Agrarian University
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