Red golden threads of saffron are divine delight when submerged in milk and added in different cuisine of the world. The radiance of its distinct colour and aroma calls for complete refreshment, richness and rejuvenation. It symbolizes the royalty and auspiciousness when put on the forehead as kesar tilak. Saffron word comes from the French word “Safran” meaning yellow or red gold. Saffron is obtained as the stigma of the mauve coloured flower of Crocus sativus. It is mainly cultivated in Iran, India and Greece. Can you imagine yield of saffron? Over 70,000 flowers yield only 500g of saffron threads [1]. Saffron is one of the most expensive spices owing to its painstaking labour and marginal yield. Saffron has its association with the eternal beauty of Cleopetra. In traditional Greek medicine, it is used in the treatments of acne, pigmentation, skin diseases and wounds that are followed even now. For younger, flawless and brighter looking skin, saffron is flourishing in cosmetic and perfumery industries.

References

1. USDA (2009).
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3. Bostan HB., et al. “Toxicology effects of saffron and its constituents: a review”. The Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 20.2 (2017): 110-121. 
4. Boskabady MH., et al. “The Effect of Crocus Sativus (Saffron) on the Respiratory System: Traditional and Experimental Evidence”. Chapter 2 Science of Spices and Herbs 1 (2019): 28-52.
5. Thakur M and Sharma N. “Saffron: A golden condiment and a repository of nutraceutical potential”. Food Science Research Journal 5.1 (2014): 59-67.
6. Mashmoul M., et al. “Saffron: A Natural Potent Antioxidant as a Promising Anti-Obesity”. Drug Antioxidants 2.4 (2013): 293-308.
7. Mzabri I., et al. “A Review Traditional and Modern Uses of Saffron (Crocus Sativus)”. Cosmetics 6.63 (2019): 1-11. 

Citation

Citation: Anjana Agarwal. “Therapeutics of Red Golden Threads- Saffron". Acta Scientific Nutritional Health 4.9 (2020): 78-79.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2020 Anjana Agarwal. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.