Saffron Health Benefits and Uses - An Expensive Beauty Formula
"The king of all spices" and "golden spice" are the most popular names for saffron. Knowing the beneficial properties of saffron and the rules for its use, many housewives buy or grow plants at home. This expensive seasoning is considered the oldest in the world. It was used in medicine and cooking about 4,600 years ago. The great scientists of the East have added the spice to the list of effective remedies in the treatment of more than 100 different diseases.
About 300 tons of valuable raw materials are produced annually. In the first year of vegetation, 6-10 kg of stigmas are harvested from 1 hectare of the plot, in the second - 20 kg. To get 100 g of the spice, you need to pick 8-10 thousand crocuses. Therefore, the cost of 1 kg of spice ranges from 460 to 30,000 US dollars, depending on the country of origin.
Acquaintance with titled saffron
Crocus (Latin name) is a small flower 10-30 cm from the Iris family. Lilac or pale purple buds bloom on thick pedicels. Each flower has 3 stigmas (length 2-4 cm), which are plucked and then dried in special installations for 15 minutes. These golden pistils are what makes saffron seasoning. This event takes place in the fall, in October. Such a gentle extravaganza of colors on hilly plantations lasts only a few days.
The culture is growing in Asia, as well as in the Mediterranean countries. It belongs to the thermophilic varieties, therefore it easily tolerates a hot climate. More than 80-97% of production falls on 3 countries:
- Spain. The expensive type "Coupe" is obtained from the very top of the stigma, which has a rich scarlet hue. "Superior" variety - whole threadlike pistils. Such saffron is also used for medicinal purposes, as a potent drug.
- Iran. Leading country in the top three producers of raw materials. However, an inexpensive variety of seasoning is grown on Iranian plantations.
- India. Kashmir spice (2 types: Mongla and Lacha) is distinguished by elongated stigmas, dark red color and unsurpassed aroma.
When buying a spice, it is important to pay attention to its origin. The price of a product must always be very high. It is advisable not to purchase a product with a sweet taste, because it is processed with glycerin, which is added to add weight.
This product is sold as filamentous fibers and has a deep, deep red hue. It is not recommended to take ground versions of products, because the powder is very similar to turmeric.
Useful properties of saffron and the use of spices in different areas of life
The calorie content of the product is 310 kcal. The seasoning contains a high percentage of potassium, magnesium, ascorbic acid, as well as a whole complex of vitamins B and A. It includes many other microelements:
- thiamine;
- flavonoids;
- nitrogenous compounds;
- riboflamine.
It has been popular for centuries to use saffron for hair because it is very high in carotene.Some pharmaceutical companies produce shampoos, masks, balms and rinses with the addition of "gold" extract.
You can prepare a healing mask to restore the structure of the strands yourself:
- 2 tbsp. l. sour cream;
- the same amount of honey;
- 1 tsp spice.
Mix the ingredients thoroughly, rub into the scalp and distribute over the entire length of the curls. Wrap with cling film and then with a towel. Rinse off after 30 minutes. Together with these components, saffron oil is also successfully used, the properties of which are more regenerating than moisturizing.
Inexpensive varieties of spices are thin threads of dark red and bright yellow shades. They exude an intoxicating scent. They are characterized by a bitter taste that procrocin gives. Yet every gourmet will appreciate the unusually pronounced spicy notes.
Saffron for women: youth and freshness on the face again
With the help of a special face mask in ancient Egypt, women fought against wrinkles and age-related changes. Even then, the sages understood the beneficial properties of saffron and used it to preserve female beauty.
To prepare such a mixture you need:
- take cosmetic clay - 1 tbsp. l .;
- add 6 drops of lavender oil;
- grind 2-4 strands of spice.
Dilute the mass with warm water and bring to a pasty consistency. Apply evenly to the skin, leave for 15 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water. Finally, grease your face with a fat cream. In this way, the cells receive nutrients and refreshment, which helps them to rejuvenate. After 3-5 procedures, the skin color is evened out and wrinkles are smoothed out.
The widespread use of saffron in cosmetology is due to its unique moisturizing effect. It saturates cells with moisture, prevents them from dehydration, and most importantly, saturates these "miniature factories" with a powerful supply of energy. As a result, the skin looks young and radiant.
Saffron's medicinal properties - secrets of youth from Asia
The golden spice is often used as a calming agent and for strengthening the nervous system. The components that make up the plant have a psychotropic effect. They affect the production of a sufficient amount of the hormone of joy - Setonin.
With the help of infusions, teas and spice-based chemicals, patients successfully fight:
- insomnia;
- overexcitation;
- epilepsy;
- convulsions;
- fears;
- hysteria.
The irreplaceable "companions" of the spice are ginger and black pepper. These ingredients maximize the medicinal properties of the seasoning.
World-renowned clinics are constantly improving their treatment methods and trying to understand how to apply the beneficial properties of saffron for complex diseases. Experts have noticed that ointments and cosmetics help relieve headaches and ear pains.
Some doctors prescribe medications with such a valuable ingredient in patients with leukemia or other blood disorders. Also, a healing spice is used for:
- cataracts and eye diseases (lotions, compresses);
- cleansing the liver or blood vessels;
- treatment of mastopathy (after all, the relevance of saffron for women was discovered a long time ago);
- oncology;
- urolithiasis (works great in combination with honey);
- bronchitis (standard recipe for infusion and dosage);
- hemorrhoidal inflammation (compresses).
You can also prepare soothing drinks for children, especially with frequent and prolonged tantrums. In addition, tinctures are used for dry cough, whooping cough and conjunctivitis. At the same time, many will be interested in how saffron is useful for women and how to use it to get great results.
Crocus pistils have a tonic effect on the cells of the body and restore their structure, thus earning the attention of millions. The plant's chemical compounds nourish the tissues of the body, as well as purify the blood and break down blood stasis that form in the vessels.
be careful
Like many other crops, saffron has medicinal properties and contraindications worth knowing about. The chemical compounds have a stimulating effect on the uterus. For this reason, pregnant women should not take crocus infusions so as not to provoke premature birth. Children under 2 years old should also not be given this spice. People with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease need to limit the use of saffron as a condiment. Preparations with its components are used only under medical supervision.
Experts recommend chewing 5 strands of spice with water every day. The procedure is carried out for painful menstruation, as well as to normalize the menstrual cycle. Crocus has a positive effect on the hormonal background of a woman, so many attribute saffron to infertility. However, without an experienced specialist, therapy will not give the desired result.
Male power in action again
Modern men will be interested in learning about the benefits of saffron tea, as this drink is a golden key for increasing potency. The miraculous infusion is prepared according to a simple recipe:
- 4-5 spice stigmas, 4 black peppercorns and 25 g of fresh ginger are carefully chopped;
- brew strong black tea (1.5 cups);
- mix the ingredients;
- poured into a saucepan and brought to a boil (over low heat);
- filtered through a thick cloth.
Drinking tea is advised immediately after preparation. However, you should not expect an immediate effect or a solution to serious health problems. It is impossible to get rid of the disease without specialized doctors.
Saffron Infusion: 3 Potions for Courageous People
To experience the full benefits of this spice, you need to use it regularly, both in cooking and in treatment. There are three ways to make a delicious saffron infusion:
- Water. For 150 ml of boiling water, you need 1 g of spice. Infuse the mixture for 30 to 60 minutes, strain. After that, it is added to dishes as a seasoning.
- Milk based. Boil the liquid and add up to 4-5 thread-like formations. Cover, drain after an hour. You need to store the medicine in the refrigerator.
- A powerful saffron tincture with vodka. 10 g of spices are soaked in 100 ml of alcohol. It is kept in this state for 12 hours, and then it is regularly used.
It is forbidden to drink alcoholic tinctures in pure form. They are best added to other drinks. For medicinal purposes, they are repelled from the classic dose - 10 or 15 drops per ½ glass of water. Take the medicine 30 minutes before meals. However, the number of appointments per day should be set by the doctor, who takes into account the characteristics of the body and the degree of complexity of the disease.
Especially popular is the use of saffron leaves, which are plucked fresh. Fragrant greens are added to soups and vegetable dishes. Among other things, the bright notes of intoxicating seasoning will add extraordinary piquancy to cottage cheese and soft cheese varieties.
The culinary uses of saffron are what restaurants are given a Michelin star for
Each dish has an unrivaled taste and an unforgettable aroma. However, in order to enhance its taste, eminent culinary experts use a whole range of spices. As noted earlier, delicious saffron is the king of spices. Still, it needs to be added only 5 minutes before readiness, because heat treatment destroys not only the medicinal properties of the spice, but also its delicious taste.
So, housewives can't wait to find out in what dishes saffron is used, because only in this way they will surprise and captivate friends and even enemies with their culinary art. You can achieve the desired goal by adding several stigmas to:
- fish, milk or vegetable soup;
- rice;
- liquor, wine and cognac;
- pilaf;
- pastries: rolls, buns and cookies.
The spice is great singles because it has no equal. However, culinary gurus have noticed how differently the dishes "play" when diluted with cinnamon, thyme, basil or cilantro.
A detailed study of the beneficial properties of saffron and its use in medicine, cosmetology, and cooking will help all family members to be beautiful and healthy, which means happy.